Zenith Gives the Chronomaster Original a Parisian Verdigris Dial

Zenith’s latest Paris-focused limited edition takes a quieter, more historic route than the brand’s recent city-inspired releases.

The Chronomaster Original Paris Edition keeps the familiar 38mm A386-style case and El Primero architecture, but gives the watch a dial that looks to the weathered copper roofs and domes of the French capital.

It’s a small-run piece with a very specific audience, and the result feels more nuanced than a simple colour swap.

At a glance

A verdigris dial with Paris in mind

The defining element is the dial, finished in a green-blue verdigris tone that references the patina found on aged copper across Paris.

Rather than applying a flat colour, Zenith uses a gradient treatment that deepens toward the outer edge and lightens at the centre.

That shading gives the dial more depth inside the compact steel case, while keeping the watch within the recognisable Chronomaster Original language.

The three overlapping chronograph counters are matched closely to the dial colour, which makes the display feel more cohesive than the tri-colour registers many collectors associate with Zenith chronographs.

Rhodium-plated faceted hour markers and hands add a crisp metallic contrast, with Super-LumiNova SLN C1 included for low-light legibility.

The date remains at 4:30, a familiar detail within the modern Chronomaster Original layout.

The A386 shape remains the foundation

Zenith has left the proportions and architecture largely intact, which is the right decision for this model.

The 38mm stainless-steel case follows the spirit of the 1969 A386, with pump pushers, tapered lugs and a box-shaped sapphire crystal giving the watch its vintage profile.

At 12.9mm thick, it remains a compact high-frequency automatic chronograph by modern standards.

The caseback is sapphire, allowing a view of the movement, and it carries an “ÉDITION PARIS” engraving along with individual numbering for the 50-piece run.

The watch is delivered on a stainless-steel bracelet, but Zenith also includes a black nubuck leather strap for a softer and slightly more casual look.

Zenclasp adds a practical daily-wear detail

One of the more useful updates is the inclusion of Zenith’s new Zenclasp folding clasp on the steel bracelet.

The system allows fine adjustment in 2.5mm increments, which should make the watch easier to size throughout the day as the wrist expands or contracts.

Adjustment is handled by lifting a small cover, while ceramic ball components are used to help the clasp lock with precision.

It’s not the flashiest part of the watch, but it’s the kind of detail that matters if this limited edition is going to be worn regularly rather than stored away.

El Primero 3600 and one-tenth timing

Inside is the El Primero 3600, Zenith’s modern automatic high-frequency chronograph movement.

It runs at 36,000 vibrations per hour, or 5Hz, allowing the chronograph to measure elapsed time to one-tenth of a second.

The central chronograph hand completes one full rotation every 10 seconds, turning the watch’s high-frequency architecture into a visible part of the experience.

The movement uses an integrated chronograph construction with a column wheel and horizontal coupling, and it offers a 60-hour power reserve.

Through the back, the openworked star-shaped rotor with satin-brushed finishing keeps the movement visually tied to Zenith’s broader identity.

Details & Specifications

The Chronomaster Original Paris Edition is best understood as a collector’s variation rather than a reinvention of the line.

Its appeal sits in the balance between a proven El Primero platform, a historically minded case and a dial colour that gives the watch a clear sense of place without overplaying the theme.