The Blue That Hits Different: Zenith’s Lapis Lazuli Chronomaster is Wild

If you're into watches that make your heart skip a beat and cost about as much as a used BMW 3 Series, let me introduce you to Zenith’s latest piece: the Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar with a dial made of actual lapis lazuli.

That’s right - 2025 is shaping up to be the year of blue over at Zenith. We’ve already seen a handful of deep sapphire tones from them this year, but now they’ve gone full stone-faced with a triple calendar chronograph that, to put it bluntly, looks like it belongs in a museum more than a display case.

Source: Hodinkee

A Little Context First…

Zenith is celebrating 160 years in the game. Not bad, right? And if you're going to celebrate a birthday, why not do it with one of the most unique dials currently on the market?

This lapis lazuli version is built on the Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar platform, which already packs a ton of function into a 38mm case. The standard version came out last year, and it was already a cool mix of vintage throwback (à la the A386 case from 1969) with modern execution, thanks to the El Primero 3610 movement.

Source: Hodinkee

The Dial That Does All the Talking

If you’ve ever seen a good piece of lapis lazuli in person, you know why people obsess over it. That deep, royal blue - peppered with tiny specks of gold, silver, and black - hits differently. It looks alive.

In this Chronomaster, Zenith uses a full slice of lapis as the main dial plate. Unlike previous “meteorite subdial” versions, this watch lets the stone take centre stage. The subdials themselves go back to standard metallic, which is a nice touch. It makes the lapis pop even more.

And the thing is - no two dials will be the same. The inclusions in each slice of lapis mean that your dial will be different from anyone else’s. If you’re into the idea of owning something truly one-of-a-kind without having to commission a bespoke watch, this is about as close as it gets from a major brand.

Source: Hodinkee

Complications Done Right

Let’s talk specs for a second, but I’ll keep it real and readable.

• 38mm case (stainless steel)
  
  

• 46mm lug-to-lug
  
  

• 13mm thick
  
  

• El Primero 3610 movement with 1/10th of a second chronograph
  
  

• Triple calendar: day, date, month
  
  

• Moonphase
  
  

• 60-hour power reserve
  
  

The dial layout is busy, yeah, but in that satisfying, purposeful way. The triple calendar windows are subtly integrated: date at 4:30, day and month up top, and a moonphase tucked into the chronograph minute subdial at 6 o'clock. It’s all color-matched in a deep blue, so nothing feels out of place.

Pro tip: Because it’s a standard triple calendar (not an annual or perpetual), you’ll need to manually adjust it five times a year - basically any month that doesn’t have 31 days. Not a big deal, but something to keep in mind.

Source: Hodinkee

The Wearability Factor

The 38mm size sounds compact, the case wears… differently.

It’s tall. Not awkward, just taller than you'd expect. The lugs sit pretty high and don’t curve down as much as they could, so the watch doesn’t hug the wrist like some vintage-style 38s do. It’s not uncomfortable, just… something you notice.

Still, it’s got presence. The kind of presence that makes people do a double take when the sun hits the dial.

Source: Hodinkee

Strap vs. Bracelet: No Contest

Zenith gives you the option of a dark blue leather strap or a steel bracelet. No hesitation here - the strap wins. Hands down.

Why? First, the contrast is perfect. It lets the lapis breathe and doesn’t crowd the dial. Second, the bracelet just doesn’t feel up to par for a €20K+ watch. The clasp is meh, and the whole thing feels a little dated compared to the rest of the watch’s vibe.

Luckily, the Chronomaster Triple Calendar is a strap monster. 

Now Let’s Talk Price…

The Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Lapis Lazuli is priced at €21,000. That’s nearly €8,000 more than the regular version.

That’s… a lot. Especially considering Rolex charges around €4,000 extra for a meteorite dial Daytona on Oysterflex. And Rolex meteorite is from actual space rocks.

So what are you paying for here?

• Rarity (how many stone dial triple calendar chronographs are out there?)
  
  

• Craftsmanship (cutting lapis that thin and that clean isn’t easy)
  
  

• Aesthetic punch (it’s a showstopper, no doubt)
  
  

Is that worth the price jump? Depends on your wallet - and your taste. If you’re the kind of collector who wants something nobody else in the room has, and who’s already neck-deep into chronographs… yeah, this could be your next purchase.

Source: Hodinkee

Final Thoughts

This watch isn’t for everyone. That price alone takes it out of reach for most enthusiasts. But in terms of watchmaking character, it’s got loads of it. And I respect Zenith for swinging for the fences instead of playing it safe.

A chronograph with a 1/10th of a second movement, full triple calendar, moonphase, and a lapis lazuli dial? That’s not something you see every year - or even every decade.

Source: Hodinkee

TL;DR:

Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Lapis Lazuli

• Lapis lazuli dial (every one is unique)
  
  

• Triple calendar + moonphase + El Primero 1/10th second chronograph
  
  

• 38mm case, steel, 60-hour power reserve
  
  

• Price: €21,000
  
  

• Strap is better than the bracelet
  
  

• Wildly expensive, very cool