Zenith Gives the Chronomaster Original a Dial Pulled From Aged Parisian Copper

Zenith doesn’t pull the El Primero out for just anyone. The Chronomaster Original is the brand’s clearest love letter to its 1969 icon, the A386 that helped launch the automatic chronograph age. So when Zenith dresses one up for a specific city, it’s certainly catches our attention.

This new Chronomaster Original Paris Edition marks the brand’s second nod to the French capital after 2024’s Defy Skyline, except this time it ignores the modern skyline for something older and perhaps a lot prettier.

A Dial Pulled From Parisian Rooftops

Zenith finished the beautiful dial in a gradient verdigris, the same chalky green that creeps across copper rooftops and domes as they weather over the decades. It darkens toward the edges until it nearly hits black at the rehaut, lending the watch a moody, vintage depth.

The texture was actually designed to mimic oxidized copper, and is grainy and tonal instead of flat. The three overlapping subdials are finished to match, while the rhodium-plated markers and hands cut cleanly against the green. A date window slips in at 4:30 without disrupting the symmetry.

Beating at 36,000 VPH

Under that dial sits the El Primero 3600, a direct descendant of the movement that put Zenith on the map. It runs at a brisk 36,000 vibrations per hour, quick enough to clock elapsed time down to a tenth of a second. Inside is that beloved column-wheel, horizontal-clutch chronograph.

That pace is why the central chronograph hand laps the entire dial every 10 seconds rather than the usual 60. Flip it over and the sapphire caseback reveals the star-shaped rotor, an “ÉDITION PARIS” engraving, and your individual number out of the 50-piece run.

Old Proportions, New Clasp

When it comes to the case, you get 38mm of stainless steel, pump pushers, tapered lugs, and a box sapphire crystal that absolutely nails the vintage brief.

The real practical win is Zenith’s Zenclasp, which lets you fine-tune the steel bracelet in 2.5mm increments with no tools required. Prefer something more relaxed? There’s also a black nubuck strap waiting in the box.

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

Priced at €11,800 (roughly $13,500, depending on the rate), the Chronomaster Original Paris Edition is limited to 50 numbered pieces and sold only in France. It launches on Zenith France’s e-commerce site before reaching the brand’s Paris boutiques later in 2026.

Recap

Zenith Chronomaster Original Paris Edition

Zenith hands its El Primero chronograph a gradient verdigris dial inspired by aged Parisian copper, then limits all 50 pieces to the French market, because of course it did.

Learn More: Zenith