TAG Heuer – CARRERA Heuer 02 RED Dial Edition

TAG Heuer – CARRERA Heuer 02 RED Dial Limited Edition

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With a fiery red look, TAG Heuer breathes new energy into the heritage-inspired line of its most elegant chronograph, the TAG Heuer Carrera.

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The Heuer Carrera first designed in 1963 defined the timeless signature style of TAG Heuer’s most refined collection of sports chronographs. 

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Today, the Swiss luxury watchmaker once again pays homage to Jack Heuer’s visionary model with a strong and unexpected rendition of his favorite timepiece, infused with modern elegance and performance.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOThe TAG Heuer Carrera Red Dial Limited Edition draws from the same pure, understated, and legible aesthetic that first made the Heuer Carrera a favorite among demanding racing pilots on and off the track. 

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The silhouette of the original Heuer Carrera reference 2447 is retained including the signature lugs and pushers, now scaled up to a contemporary 39-mm. The indexes and hours and minutes hands are faceted, rhodium-plated and coated with Super-LumiNova® for optimal readability.

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Under a glassbox, the unmistakable dial with its elegant tri-compax layout, takes on a brand-new style however, in deep red. Although seldom covering the entire dial in the TAG Heuer Carrera collection, the use of red has been a TAG Heuer signature throughout the decades: from the brand logos, subtle design accents such as the red tachymeter scale on the 1960s Heuer Carreras, bright red hands on the Heuer Monaco or Ayrton Senna’s favorite chronograph, to stand-out pieces such as the Heuer Silverstone of 1974, one of the few strong, red-dialed watches of that period, the color is core to the TAG Heuer identity.

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Today, this crimson interpretation makes a statement and brings new energy to the classic timepiece. The face is sunray brushed while the three chronograph counters - hours, minutes and permanent second indicator - are snailed, bringing a subtle contrast and mesmerizing play of light to the wrist. The dial naturally sports the emblematic Heuer logo and Carrera name.

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The watches’ in-house high-precision chronograph movement, the Calibre Heuer 02, with its outstanding power reserve of 80 hours is also personalized with touches of red on the column wheel and oscillating mass engravings. These can be observed through the sapphire crystal case back.

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Presented on a black alligator strap with a steel folding clasp, the TAG Heuer Carrera Red Dial Limited Edition is limited to 600 pieces. A true collectors’ watch, each will carry the mentions “ONE OF 600” and “Limited Edition” on the case back. The exclusive TAG Heuer Carrera Red Dial Limited Edition expresses the uniquely elegant and sporty character of its emblematic past, with an added touch of flair
and modernity.

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Available from July 2022, this chronograph will be sold exclusively in TAG Heuer boutiques, through the brand’s e-commerce websites and at select wholesale.

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TECHNICAL DETAILS

Model: TAG Heuer – CARRERA RED Dial  Limited Edition

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Reference : CBK221G.FC6479

MOVEMENT
Calibre Heuer 02 Automatic  

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Swiss made. Automatic calibre
Diameter: 31 mm (13 3/4'') - 33 rubies
Rapid date correction. Skeletonised
Balance frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: about 80 hours
Movement comprises 168 parts
Hours — minutes — small seconds at 6 o'clock
Chronograph minutes at 3 o'clock and chronograph hours at 9 o'clock
Date window.
FUNCTIONS
Chronograph with minute and hour hands
Permanent second, hour and minute indicators
Second hand in the centre
CASE
Diameter 39 mm
Polished stainless-steel case and fixed bezel
Domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment
Polished stainless-steel crown at 3 o’clock, with push buttons at 2 and 4 o’clock
Water-resistant to 100 metres (10 bar)
Stainless-steel sapphire crystal screw-down case back with special engraving
“Limited Edition” and “ONE OF 600” engraved
DIAL
Red sunray brushed dial and flange
Three snailed subdials:
– 3 o’clock: “snailed” minute chronograph counter
– 6 o’clock: “snailed” permanent second indicator
– 9 o’clock: “snailed” hour chronograph counter
Rhodium-plated applied indexes, hour and minute hands with Super-LumiNova®
Rhodium-plated central hand
White Heuer printed logo
STRAP
Black alligator leather strap 
Steel folding clasp with double safety push buttons, HEUER logo

Limited to 600 watches 

✅ Price : € 6.400 / 6.750 USD 💰

Available from July 2022

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www.Calibre11.com
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Press Release - 2022
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For further information, please contact:
Sonja Hagmann, International PR Manager
Tel. +41 32 919 81 52
Mobile: +41 79 898 54 73
E-mail: sonja.hagmann@tagheuer.com
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AUDEMARS PIGUET – ROYAL OAK 50 Years of Innovation

 

AUDEMARS PIGUET – ROYAL OAK 50 Years of Innovation - 2022

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A JOURNEY
THROUGH TIME

Upon release on April 15, 1972, the Royal Oak designed by Gérald Genta created a stir with its large body of hand-finished stainless steel, its octagonal bezel secured with visible hexagonal screws, its highly stylised integrated steel bracelet and its extra-thin selfwinding mechanism. Inspired by the cultural and industrial revolution of the 1970s and launched in the early years of the quartz crisis, this watch combining sportiness with ancestral know-how heralded the beginning of a new fine watchmaking era in tune with changing lifestyles.

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Over the years, the Royal Oak gave rise to a full-fledged collection with new sizes, materials, styles and movements. 50 years on, over 500 Royal Oak models have been created, turning this iconoclast into a cultural icon within and beyond watchmaking. Let’s look back at some of its highlights.

CONTROVERSIAL
BEGINNINGS
1970 s

In 1970, three of Audemars Piguet’s distribution agents perceived clients’ new sensibilities and challenged the brand to respond. Georges Golay, Audemars Piguet’s then Managing Director, gave this challenging task to Gérald Genta, a trained jeweller and experienced watch designer, with the brief to design a sports watch in stainless steel never seen before. Genta drew the Royal Oak sketch in one night, taking inspiration from diversesources beyond the diving helmet he remembered from his childhood. While Genta’s creation continued in the footsteps of Audemars Piguet’s unconventional wristwatch designs debuted in the 1930s, it also resonated with the cultural groundswell sweeping the worlds of contemporary art, design, architecture and music in the 1960s and 1970s.

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• Model 5402 brought the fine watchmaking industry to new directions in 1972 wbody of hand-finished steel which safeguarded the world’s thinnest selfwinding movement with date indication of its time.ith  its time.

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An extraordinary collaborative process with the industry’s best watchmakers and artisans followed: Stern Frères worked on the guilloché Petite Tapisserie dial, Favre & Perret on the steel case and Gay Frères on the integrated steel bracelet. The watch was so complex to craft in hard steel that the first prototype was made in white gold, a softer material.

The integrated bracelet alone comprised 154 components, including 20 tapering links, making it one of the most intricate steel bracelets in watchmaking history. In addition, the alternation of satin-brushed and polished surfaces adorning the steel case and bracelet was so elaborate that the final finishing touch was done in the Manufacture's workshops.

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“The Royal Oak was conceived in 1970, at the suggestion of general agents who had reservations about the marketing value of gold alone for the promotion of high-prestige timepieces – a view which I believe is no longer valid. They did ask us to design a stainless steel wristwatch more in tune with the way we live today. We had to invent a model both sporty and stylish in spirit, suitable for evening wear and for the daily activities of today’s man of taste.”
Georges Golay Interview from 1982

In April 1972, the most expensive steel watch on the market1 was presented at the Basel Fair where it caused a sensation, stirring a range of strong reactions including criticism. Between sceptical clients and the difficulty of manufacturing and delivering the watch’s first examples, the early days were tough. Nonetheless, sales reached 490 units as early as 1972 – a record for Audemars Piguet that marked the beginning of a steady commercial success.

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For four years, Audemars Piguet cautiously produced this single reference only – the now famous 5402. It was not until 1976 that the first women’s Royal Oak in 29 mm (Model 8638) designed by Jacqueline Dimier was launched. As early as 1977, these two models were both reinterpreted in yellow gold, white gold and a two-tone combination of steel and yellow gold, giving rise to a collection. The brand also added a 35 mm intermediate size, Model 4100, which asserted itself as the new benchmark for men’s watches. No longer an outlier, the Royal Oak had a promising future waiting ahead.

1. The Royal Oak’s unprecedented price was notably highlighted in an advertisement dating from 1974, realised by Audemars Piguet’s advertising agency, Hugo Buchser, which referred to it as “the costliest steel watch in the world.”

TESTING
NEW GROUNDS
 1980 s

The Royal Oak revealed an adaptability in the 1980s with new sizes and materials. White gold, yellow gold that was as unexpected as it was extraordinary.    and two-tone models (yellow gold and steel) were soon complemented with versions in platinum and Moving further away from Model 5402, the brand pink gold. These precious timepieces were often explored new aesthetic possibilities for the Royal Oak accompanied by a gemset dial or bezel.

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• Although the first Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar (Model 5554) appeared in a stainless steel case in 1984, it was quickly reinterpreted in a two-tone version interweaving stainless steel with 18-carat yellow gold (ref. 25654SA).

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Diversifying the collection also meant exploring new possibilities in terms of movement. In tune with its time, the Royal Oak witnessed the introduction of quartz mechanisms in 1980. While originally reluctant to use this technology in the Royal Oak collection, Audemars Piguet gave way to the market’s demand after testing this technology on a closely related line – the so-called “Quartz” (Model 6005) debuted in 1978 – whose transgressive character lent itself well to this disruptive technology. Although this watch borrowed some aesthetic elements from the Royal Oak, including the geometric case and the integrated bracelet both finished with satin-finishing and polished chamfers, its bezel was neither octagonal nor punctuated by eight hexagonal screws. In ten years, at least 59 Royal Oak models were created, equipped with six different quartz movements and ranging from 26 to 36 mm in diameter.

While the brand experimented with quartz technology, it also played a crucial role in the revival of classic complications. In 1983, the Manufacture released its first day date Royal Oak model (5572) presented in a 36 mm case available in four variations: steel, yellow gold, white gold, as well as a two-tone combination marrying steel with yellow gold. This watch with multiple calendar functions was followed in 1984 by Model 5554, the first Royal Oak equipped with the world’s thinnest selfwinding perpetual calendar movement with central rotor of its time, Calibre 2120/2800, which the Manufacture had revealed in 1978 in Model 5548.

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In 1986, Audemars Piguet expanded its offering with a Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked version (Model 25636). This 18-carat yellow gold timepiece introduced the first Royal Oak openworked design, as well as the collection’s first sapphire caseback to give centre stage to the record-breaking mechanism it contained. Appealing to lovers of fine watchmaking tradition, these early Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar models ushered in a new era of reinvention for the Royal Oak.

A DECADE
OF EXTREMES
1990 s

The proliferation of Royal Oak styles, diameters and movements continued well into the 1990s, reaching new technical and design milestones as the decade unfolded.

On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the Royal Oak took more radical turns, announcing the rest of the decade. 1992 not only saw the first limited edition (Model 14802) paying tribute to the so-called 39 mm “Jumbo” Royal Oak from 1972, this time fitted with a sapphire caseback. It also witnessed the first Royal Oak on leather strap – a controversial 36 mm timepiece (Model 14800) developed extra-muros by independent Swiss designer Jörg Hysek. Its case middle was hollowed out in the centre so as to attach the strap by means of mobile pivot bars. Interpreted in nearly 20 material and dial variants, this atypical Royal Oak took even greater liberties in the years that followed.

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• The first Royal Oak Tourbillon, revealed in 1997, displays an octagonal-shaped aperture at 6 o’clock reminiscent of the Royal Oak’s octagonal bezel, here in pink gold to match with the pink gold case of this limited edition of 5 pieces.

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The Royal Oak reached another extreme in 1993 with the launch of the Royal Oak Offshore – the embodiment par excellence of the extreme lifestyles taking precedence in the 1990s. Imagined by Emmanuel Gueit, this sturdy and muscular reinterpretation of the Royal Oak in a dramatic 42 mm case size quickly appealed to a younger generation which saw in the “Beast” an ideal accessory for an adventurous lifestyle. This new take on the Royal Oak quickly followed its own path and gave rise to a collection unto its own.

While the Royal Oak expressed its masculine side more freely in the 1990s with an array of more extreme designs, women’s models equally bloomed with creativity. The first openworked women’s models made their debut in the early 1990s with the historic ultra-thin Calibre 2003SQ, measuring just 1.64 mm in thickness. Gemset models similarly gained ground, culminating in 1998 with the Royal Oak High Jewellery Openworked timepiece (Model 15073). The 18-carat white gold case, bracelet and hands of this 30 mm model were entirely paved with 446 brilliant-cut diamonds whereas the hour-markers were made of emeralds (~4.64 carats). Blending Haute Joaillerie and Haute Horlogerie traditions with contemporary design, this model ushered in a new wave of high jewellery timepieces in the early 2000s. The women’s Royal Oak reached another extreme in 1997 with the Royal Oak Mini (Model 67075), the smallest Royal Oak ever made. This quartz-driven yellow gold timepiece measured a mere 20 mm in diameter to sit comfortably on the slenderest wrists. 

In addition, the 1990s consolidated the establishment of complications within the collection. In 1997, the Royal Oak Tourbillon saw the light of day on the occasion of the watch’s 25th anniversary in a limited edition of 25 pieces in steel. Pink gold, platinum and yellow gold variations were also issued in limited editions of five watches each. Fitted in a 40 mm case, Model 25831 was equipped with Audemars Piguet’s second generation tourbillon movement, Calibre 2875, slightly visible through the stylised octagonal tourbillon cage at 6 o’clock. In addition, in a nod to Audemars Piguet’s pioneering selfwinding tourbillon wristwatch released in 1986, this model featured the winding system on the caseback.

The Manufacture also launched its first Royal Oak Chronograph (Model 25860, 39 mm) in 1997, as well as the very first Royal Oak Grande Complication featuring a minute repeater, a perpetual calendar and a split-seconds chronograph. This movement of 648 components was fitted in a massive 44 mm white gold case which provided a stark contrast with the Royal Oak Mini unveiled the same year.

From 1972 to 1999, Audemars Piguet created some 300 Royal Oak models, almost 200 of which were produced during the highly creative 1990s.
 

NEW DIRECTIONS
FOR THE ROYAL OAK
2000 s

The Royal Oak entered the third millennium with a new 39 mm version, Model 15202, which marked a turning point in “Jumbo” history. This timepiece reinterpreted the Royal Oak’s aesthetic codes with more freedom, with new dial colours as well as the return of the sapphire caseback. It also incorporated the new guilloché Grande Tapisserie dial, which was introduced in the collection a year before. 

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Composed of larger pyramid bases (about 380 for a 39 mm dial vs approx. 700 for the Petite Tapisserie dial), the Grande Tapisserie quickly became a new favourite across the Royal Oak collection at a time when the taste for larger watches had become more prevalent following the release of the Royal Oak Offshore in 1993. Indeed, the diameter of the Royal Oak’s core collection reached 39 mm in 2005, compared to 36 mm in the 1990s and 35 mm in the 1980s. A repository of tradition and modernity, this version enjoyed renewed popularity and became one of the most highly coveted Royal Oak models.

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•  The Tradition d’Excellence N°4, crafted in platinum, boasts cutting-edge micro-mechanics and aesthetic. This limited edition of 20 pieces notably possesses 10 days of power reserve thanks to its pioneering double barrel.
  

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However, more than a return to the origins, the 2000s was before all characterised by cutting-edge design and micro-mechanics in tune with the new millennium. Both the Royal Oak Concept, launched in 2002, 2 and the Royal Oak Tradition d’Excellence N°4 (2004) testify to the avant-garde and futuristic vibe of the early noughties. Debuted in 1999, the Tradition d’Excellence cross-collection series went beyond the framework of classical watchmaking by combining complications innovatively. The Tradition d’Excellence N°4 (ref. 25969PT) couples a chronograph and a tourbillon in a 44 mm Royal Oak platinum case. This limited edition of 20 pieces was endowed with a remarkable 10-day power reserve thanks to its pioneering double barrel, visible through the partially openworked dial. The avant-garde dial also incorporated two power-reserve indications (10 days and last 24 hours) in addition to the tourbillon cage and the chronograph’s minute counters.

Last but not least, the Royal Oak took on a more human face in the 2000s with the rise of Royal Oak limited editions in collaboration with athletes and personalities. While the first collaboration dates back to 1990 with Nick Faldo’s Royal Oak Championship, other limited editions followed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, such as the Royal Oak City of Sails (1999) in partnership with Alinghi, the Royal Oak Sachin Tendulkar (2008) or the “Oak Leaves” featuring a model in collaboration with Michelle Yeoh (2005). Drawing inspiration from fields as diverse as sports, art, culture and architecture since its inception, the Royal Oak has greatly inspired in its turn the people who have being wearing it. Over the years, collaborations have come to play an instrumental role in conveying the youthful and creative spirit of this iconic timepiece.

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2. On the occasion of the Royal Oak’s 30th anniversary, Audemars Piguet presented a one-off limited edition of 150 pieces inspired by Concept Cars encompassing a rounded 44 mm case honed from Alacrite 602 and an octagonal bezel crafted in titanium. The dial too appeared futuristic with its avant-garde shock-absorbing tourbillon bridge and innovative functions, including a dynamograph and a power-reserve display. The Royal Oak Concept thus established an entirely new aesthetic for 21st-century Haute Horlogerie and led to the development of an independent collection in the years that followed.

INTERWEAVING
DESIGN AND MASTERY
2010 s

The bulkier and futuristic look of the 2000s slowly gave way to more refined models interweaving the watch’s original codes with highly contemporary aesthetics and ever-more performant mechanisms.

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For the Royal Oak’s 40th anniversary in 2012, the Manufacture presented a selection of watches animated by the same daring spirit that saw it rise. Among the highlights was a new 39 mm “Jumbo” 15202 model, which created a tidal wave among lovers of the brand, accompanied by an openworked version powered by the new Calibre 5122. By 2012, a vast majority of men’s Royal Oak models presented a larger diameter than 39 mm, which enabled the new 15202 timepiece to become the sole model offered in this emblematic size. Its rarity has since played a fundamental part in its unwavering success. The same year, the Manufacture also revealed a 41 mm hand-wound Royal Oak Extra-Thin Tourbillon (Model 26510) in stainless steel or 18-carat pink gold, also available in an openworked 40-piece limited edition (Model 26511, Calibre 2924SQ).

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•  In 2016, Audemars Piguet unveiled the stainless steel 41 mm Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked, premiering the Manufacture’s patented double balance wheel. This innovative mechanism incorporates two balance wheels and hairsprings assembled on the same axis for more reliable and precise timekeeping.

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This blend of refined aesthetics and technical mastery permeated throughout the decade, notably with the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked launched in 2016. Conceived by Audemars Piguet watchmakers, the patented mechanism it houses improves a watch’s precision and stability. By incorporating two balance wheels and two hairsprings assembled on the same axis, the system oscillates in perfect synchrony. Visible on both sides of the case, the double balance wheel also confers a rare glimpse of the watch’s beating heart. This timepiece, first released in a 41 mm steel or pink gold case, has since been reinterpreted in an additional 37 mm size as well as in different materials including white gold, yellow gold and black ceramic.

The 2010s witnessed another technical breakthrough with the Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin (26586), whose prototype presented in 2018 is also known as RD#2. With a movement of 2.89 mm in thickness and a case of 6.3 mm in height, this watch became the world’s thinnest automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch of its time. To reach this remarkable thinness, Audemars Piguet engineers merged the perpetual calendar functions, normally arranged on 3 levels, into one single layer. Paving the way for a new generation of complicated watches balancing refined aesthetics, optimum ergonomics, ancestral savoir-faire and contemporary lifestyle, this timepiece brought down the curtain on a decade brimming with aesthetic and technical evolutions.

FOREVER YOUNG
2020 s

Paying tribute to 50 years of unwavering innovation,  collection to new creative and technical dimensions the latest Royal Oak models mark yet another with an array of refined and ergonomic aesthetics, milestone in the development of a collection that has  materials, dial animations and latest generation crossed eras and trends. The 2022 offering brings the movements. 

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Audemars Piguet continues to reinvent the Royal Oak with the release of its first ever Royal Oak “Jumbo” equipped with a flying tourbillon. With its 3.4 mm in thickness, Calibre 2968 represents an important development for the Manufacture, whose major challenge was to combine a selfwinding mechanism and a flying tourbillon without altering the proportions of the extra-thin “Jumbo” case.

Audemars Piguet kicked off the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary with a new generation of 39 mm Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin models, ref. 16202, powered by a new selfwinding extra-thin movement, Calibre 7121, conceived to seamlessly fit in the 8.1 mm Royal Oak “Jumbo” case. Replacing the historic Calibre 2121 which had equipped the Royal Oak since its origin, Calibre 7121 brings increased performance, reliability and contemporary movement design to the Royal Oak collection. This movement has simultaneously been entirely openworked (Calibre 7124), as showcased in the newly released 16204 models.

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Manufacture’s latest hand-wound movement, Calibre 2121.

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Another notable turning point for the Royal Oak collection is the introduction of the Royal Oak Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon – the Manufacture’s first ever flying tourbillon housed in a 39 mm extra-thin “Jumbo” case. Blending avant-garde with tradition, this watch plays with the Royal Oak’s original codes. Its stainless steel case is complemented with a Petite Tapisserie dial in the iconic Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 hue, and a printed Audemars Piguet signature at 12 o’clock. With an eye to the future, its flying tourbillon cage offers a glimpse at the cutting-edge technology ticking within.

Developed in parallel of Calibre 7121, Calibre 2968 met the added challenge of combining a selfwinding mechanism and a flying tourbillon without altering the proportions of the iconic “Jumbo” case. To do so, the teams completely rethought the tourbillon cage of Audemars Piguet’s existing 41 mm models. The result? A selfwinding flying tourbillon movement measuring a mere 3.4 mm in height, whose refined micro-mechanics has owed the watch the nickname of RD#3.

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Pushing the envelope further, this 39 mm flying tourbillon model will soon be complemented with an additional Royal Oak Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon in a 37 mm diameter – yet another first for the Manufacture! It is this ability to constantly reinvent itself while retaining the essential aesthetics of the original watch that has enabled the Royal Oak to reach the status of cultural icon within and beyond watchmaking. Only 50 years young, this collection promises many more surprises in the years and decades to come.

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Press Release - 2022
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Audemars Piguet (Marketing) SA
Route de France 16 - Case postale 16
1348 Le Brassus - Switzerland
Phone : + 41 21 642 39 00
Fax : + 41 21 642 34 02
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ZENITH – Chronomaster Original Edition For HODINKEE

 

ZENITH – CHRONOMASTER ORIGINAL Chronograph Limited Edition For HODINKEE 2022 

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 INTRODUCING THE ZENITH CHRONOMASTER ORIGINAL LIMITED EDITION FOR HODINKEE

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JULY 26, 2022 — Hodinkee and ZENITH are joining forces once again on a new iteration of the legendary ZENITH El Primero. A celebration of an innovative legacy, The Zenith Chronomaster Original Limited Edition For Hodinkee reinterprets the modern chronograph iconic in unexpected hues. 

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he first limited style in the Chronomaster Original line, its late 1960’s-era aesthetic is modernized just enough with the powerful El Primero 3600 automatic 1/10th of a second chronograph caliber inside and an unprecedented opaline salmon dial with counters in three shades of grey. This collaborative edition is exclusively available on the online Hodinkee Shop and ZENITH online boutiques around the world. 

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As the leading destination for all things watches and horology, Hodinkee’s appreciation of both ZENITH’s 1969 release of the first fully integrated automatic chronograph movement, along with their Chronomaster Original line that was unveiled last year with the latest generation of the seminal calibre featuring 1/10th of a second measurement, inspired this partnership. The result is a refreshed look that is rooted in ZENITH’s rich history. 

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The first El Primero caliber was born in a game-changing era for watches, with its name meaning "the first." The El Primero’s ethos of invention continued into design with one of the most subtle, comfortable and well-proportioned cases of the era, along with a dial that still feels extraordinary more than 50 years on. Altogether, ZENITH watches have become an enduring symbol of chronograph design and engineering.

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The Zenith Chronomaster Original Limited Edition For Hodinkee captures this legacy through the wrist-hugging ergonomics, the angularity of the lugs, and the classic tri-color registers — and comes together to form a modern version that pushes the storied El Primero into a brand-new era.

DISTINGUISHED BY DESIGN

The Zenith Chronomaster Original Limited Edition For Hodinkee demonstrates the strength and versatility of the original El Primero while providing a silhouette that feels like a contemporary, well-made, and luxurious ZENITH. This is where the perfectly sized 38mm x 12.6mm case of the Chronomaster Original came in. Introduced in 2021, the Chronomaster Original instantly recalls the original ZENITH A386 of 1969, but with updates in both design and performance that ensure both modernity and a unique function true to the innovative spirit of the El Primero.

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The colors are where Hodinkee pushed the boundaries while connecting the timepiece to the world of classically complex watchmaking. The timepiece is outfitted with a matte salmon opaline dial, providing a dynamic and warm backdrop uncommon for this dial configuration.

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Chosen by the Hodinkee team, the salmon leans more towards an orange colorway as opposed to red, and the matte opaline finish allows that color to shine without any unnecessary finishing. This is anything but simple — the color has depth and a bit of flash that holds up against the muted silver and gray hues elsewhere. 

 

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On the wrist, the dial "pops" and can move quite seamlessly between bright and sunny and formal and moody. With the strong salmon base tone, the chronograph reinterprets ZENITH’s emblematic tricolor registers in three shades of grey. Also, the signature 4:30 date window is preserved with the date wheel matching the color of the dial.

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Beyond the tones, the watch’s case and dial are enclosed with a raised sapphire crystal, calling to mind the acrylic lenses found on vintage ZENITH timepieces like the A386. Flanked by familiar pump-style pushers and brushed lugs, the case is met by a tapered bracelet with polished center links, outer links with polished edges, and a folding clasp to ensure the look—and feel—of a modern high-performance sports watch.

EL PRIMERO: THE DRIVING FORCE

Housed inside the 38mm case, and entirely visible through the sapphire caseback, sits the ZENITH El Primero Automatic Caliber 3600 movement. The Caliber 3600 shares the same high-beat rate and column-wheel design that has defined the El Primero since its inception, but with modern technical enhancements that ensure smooth running and reliability. 

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For instance, the chronograph seconds hand traverses the dial once every ten seconds or six times per minute. Also, rather than drive the chronograph via the movement's fourth wheel, as the original caliber 400 did, the El Primero 3600 runs the chronograph directly off its high-tech silicon escape wheel, made possible by ZENITH’s longstanding chronograph design and engineering excellence.

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The Zenith Chronomaster Original Limited Edition For Hodinkee is available as a 300-piece limited edition for $9,500 through the HODINKEE Shop and ZENITH’s online boutique.

HODINKEE
Hodinkee is building a better world of watches. Founded in 2008 by Benjamin Clymer as a watch blog, Hodinkee is now a multi-channel online destination for watch enthusiasts, including: print, digital, and video content, an e-commerce platform as an authorized retailer of over  40+ brands in every style and price point, along with a wide assortment of pre-owned and vintage watches, and best-in-class services like Hodinkee Insurance. With years of experience and expertise, Hodinkee’s work brings every aspect of the watch world to life through color-rich journalism, meticulous engineering of Limited Edition timepieces, and curation of the most extensive assortment of watch brands and accessories to shop. As a true destination for everything watch-related, Hodinkee has built a dedicated community that’s brought the brand to the forefront. Headquartered in NYC, visit www.hodinkee.com.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model:  Chronomaster ORIGINAL Limited Edition For HODINKEE 

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 Reference 03.3201.3600/18.M3200.T3/P – 9400 CHF / 9500 USD

Key points:  

• The Zenith Chronomaster Original Limited Edition For Hodinkee demonstrates the strength and versatility of the original El Primero while providing a silhouette that feels like a modern. 
• Powered by the El Primero 3600 automatic high-frequency chronograph movement with 1/10th of a second chronograph function and a power reserve of 60 hours. 
• One of 300 Limited edition.

Movement
Calibre El Primero 3600
Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve approx. 60 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock, 1/10th of a second chronograph, 

Central chronograph hand that makes one turn in 10 seconds 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock 60-second counter at 3 o’clock
Finishes: New star-shaped oscillating weight with satined finishings
Case &
Material: Stainless steel
Diameter: 38 mm
Thickness: 12.60 mm
Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Case-back: Transparent sapphire crystal
Water resistance: 5 ATM

Dial
Dial: Salmon opaline
Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle
Stainless steel Chronomaster Original Bracelet

 Limited edition: 300 pieces

Availability as a 300-piece limited edition for $9,500 through the HODINKEE Shop and ZENITH’s online boutique.  

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Press Release - 2022
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ZENITH | Swiss Watch Manufacture Since 1865
Rue des Billodes 34-36 | CH-2400 Le Locle
Minh-Tan-Bui
Tel. +41 32 930 65 59
Mobile +41 79 515 47 54
Email: minh-tan.bui@zenith-watches.com

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