One of the Most Iconic Chronographs Just Got a Stunning Revamp

Zenith’s Chronomaster Original, the modern evolution of the first automatic chronograph, now sports the brand’s signature dial color.

By Brad Lanphear

Published June 27, 2025

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Updated June 27, 2025

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Few watch brands are more strongly associated with a particular color than Zenith is with blue.

The insider-admired Swiss watchmaker has used various shades of blue throughout its catalog for decades, even making it the centerpiece of its recent 160th anniversary celebration.

a Zenith chronograph watch — The Chronomaster Original is the modern evolution of Zenith’s first automatic chronograph.

Coincidentally, few watch brands are more strongly associated with a single design than Zenith is with the Chronomaster, which is often conflated with its iconic movement family, the El Primero chronograph.

Zenith has combined these two defining traits once again in the new Chronomaster Original, which features the first blue dial with tricolor sub-dials in the series.

The Chronomaster Original and its sportier counterpart, the Chronomaster Sport, are the modern evolution of the A386, Zenith’s—and, technically, the world’s—first automatic chronograph.

With all of those factors combined, it is fair to dub this new Chronomaster Original the quintessential Zenith watch.

Feeling blue

Watch dials share the same three essential colors with men’s suits: black, gray(silver) and blue. No matter how expansive your collection is of either, you should start with and focus on one of those three colors.

a Zenith watch dial — The three overlapping sub-dials in light gray, dark gray and blue make a Zenith chronograph instantly recognizable.

Zenith does black and silver very well, but the brand shines brightest in blue. It gives the Chronomaster Original a more alluring appearance than the pragmatic white and black decorating of previous references.

While the dial’s particular shade of blue matches the 60-second counter at three o’clock, the sunburst radial brushing on the dial creates a contrast with the snailing on the counter.

a Zenith watch with a steel bracelet — The Chonomaster Original also comes with a three-link steel bracelet.

It is worth noting that the Chronomaster Original, first introduced in 2021, has appeared with a blue dial but with white chronograph dials rather than Zenith’s signature tricolor arrangement. This particular blue dial first appeared on the Chronograph Sport.

The quintessential chronograph

Zenith makes one of the few movements more famous than any particular watch it powers. Seiko’s Spring Drive is the only other example that comes to mind.

the back of a Zenith watch — The Chronomaster Original is powered by the El Primero caliber 3600.

The Chronomaster Original is powered by the El Primero caliber 3600, arguably the best automatic chronograph movement in the world. It has a high-beat 36,000 frequency and a 60-hour power reserve.

The central chronograph hand makes a full rotation every 10 seconds, with a 1/10th-of-a-second scale. A 60-second counter is at three o’clock and a 60-minute counter is at six o’clock. Running seconds are displayed at nine o’clock.

a Zenith watch — The dial’s outer rim has two tracks to measure each 10-second rotation of the central hand.

With a 38-mm case and no bezel, the Chronomaster Original is a more wearable and discreet alternative to the Chronomaster Sport. Now that it is graced with Zenith’s most iconic color scheme, it is, for my money, the best daily-wearing chronograph money can buy.

Availability and pricing

The Zenith Chronomaster Original in blue with tricolor chronograph dials is available now from Zenith for $10,300.

In addition to the navy blue calfskin leather strap, it comes with a steel three-link bracelet with polished center links and brushed edge links.

Zenith Chronomaster Original

Specs

Case Size	38mm
Movment	Zenith El Primero caliber 3600
Water Resistance	50m

$10,300 at Zenith

About the Author: Brad Lanphear is an associate editor at Gear Patrol covering watches and style. Before joining the publication, he previously wrote for Heddels and Men’s Health. Now, he’s on a never-ending quest to find the perfect pair of Japanese denim.