Zenith's Chronomaster Original Paris Edition is a stunning timepiece that pays homage to the City of Lights with its verdigris dial. This limited edition watch is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and design, blending the timeless elegance of Paris with the iconic El Primero movement. The verdigris dial, a unique shade of green, is a nod to the city's rich history and the beauty of oxidized copper. The watch's design is a testament to Zenith's commitment to innovation and tradition, offering a unique blend of classic and modern elements.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this watch is the verdigris dial. The verdigris color, a result of the chemical reaction between copper and oxygen, is a stunning shade of green that adds a touch of elegance to the watch. The dial is flat with cutouts for the Chronomaster's distinctive overlapping trio of subdials, each decorated in a snailed texture. A fumé fade envelops the subdials and culminates in black at the outer rim, which is framed by a glossy black rehaut. The main dial plate is flat with cutouts for the Chronomaster's distinctive overlapping trio of subdials, each decorated in a snailed texture. A fumé fade envelops the subdials and culminates in black at the outer rim, which is framed by a glossy black rehaut.
The watch's movement, the El Primero 3600, is a high-frequency automatic chronograph movement, featuring a column-wheel, horizontal coupling, and a 60-hour power reserve. The central chronograph seconds hand makes one rotation every 10 seconds, allowing accurate and legible tracking down to the tenth of a second. The triple 60 subdials consist of a 60-second totalizer at 3:00, a one-hour minute totalizer at 6:00, and a small seconds dial at 9:00. The movement is a direct descendant of Zenith's iconic Caliber A386, one of the original trio of automatic chronograph movements released in 1969.
The watch's case is 38mm in diameter and is made of stainless steel with satin brushing on top, chamfered edges, and polished sides. It is capped with a box sapphire crystal and operated by twin pump pushers and a crown signed with the Zenith star. The watch comes on a three-link steel bracelet with brushed outer links and polished center links, fastened with a Zenclasp folding clasp featuring a proprietary tool-free micro-adjustment system. However, the distinct green dial with black accents is better complemented by the black nubuck strap that comes with it, fastened with a stainless steel triple-folding clasp.
The Chronomaster Original Paris Edition is a limited edition of just 50 pieces, offered online exclusively in the French market and in-person only at Zenith's Paris boutique. The watch is priced at €11,800 (~$13,470), making it a luxury timepiece that is not for the faint of heart. Despite the high price tag, the watch's unique design and limited availability make it a must-have for watch enthusiasts and collectors alike.
In conclusion, the Zenith Chronomaster Original Paris Edition is a stunning timepiece that blends the timeless elegance of Paris with the iconic El Primero movement. The verdigris dial, a unique shade of green, is a nod to the city's rich history and the beauty of oxidized copper. The watch's design is a testament to Zenith's commitment to innovation and tradition, offering a unique blend of classic and modern elements. The limited edition nature of the watch makes it a must-have for watch enthusiasts and collectors alike.
