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Frederique Constant's Latest Addition to the Highlife Chronograph Collection

The Highlife collection, Frederique Constant’s most celebrated lines, debuted in 1999 as an affordable luxury sports watch. Relaunched in 2020, the collection gained fresh momentum, and by 2022, the brand introduced the Highlife Chronograph to its portfolio.

This year, Frederique Constant commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Highlife collection with a stunning addition to the 41mm Chronograph Automatic lineup. The latest release is a limited edition of 1,888 pieces, featuring a stainless steel case, an off white opaline dial, and striking green subdials. This model joins its predecessors versions with blue and black subdials housed in steel cases, and a more recent iteration with a blue dial and a gold-plated case.

Introducing Zenith Unveils The Chronomaster Original with a black dial

The historic 1969 case is presented with the latest generation El Primero movement, with a mate black dial

Zenith is a renowned Swiss luxury watch brand with a rich history dating back to 1865. It is known for its commitment to combining traditional watchmaking craftsmanship with avant-garde innovations.

In the trilogy introduced in 1969, the A386 stands out as the most iconic model, also known as the Zenith El Primero A386. A timepiece with a rich history in the world of horology, it played a pivotal role in watchmaking by featuring the El Primero movement, which was the world's first automatic chronograph movement. This watch was a game-changer, and it continues to be highly regarded by watch enthusiasts and collectors.

Two years ago, Zenith made a significant move by creating the Zenith Chronomaster Original. This watch is often referred to as the "Original" for good reason; it pays homage to the iconic Zenith A386. Crafted with Swiss engineering, it is available in stainless steel and boasts the iconic tri-color dial, a nod to its predecessor's design heritage.

Now, Zenith transforms its tricolor Chronomaster Original into a matte black version, that retains its 38mm brushed and polished steel case, with a thickness of 12.9mm, and traditional pump pushers next to the crown that holds the Zenith star logo.

The main difference between the new and old versions is the black dial, which still features the classic tri-color subdials that features a 60-second counter positioned at 3 o’clock in a blue subdial, a 60-minute counter positioned at 6 o’clock in a gray subdial, and running seconds positioned at 9 o’clock in a silver subdial, along with a date window at 4:30. Additionally, the external 1/10th of a second scale has been changed from white to black, and the color of the inner scale from black to white. The watch features Rhodium-plated hands and indexes coated with SuperLuminova, as well as a red chronograph hand that completes one lap of the dial every 10 seconds.

The watch is powered by an improved version of the El Primero 3600, an in-house high-beat 5Hz chronograph movement that boasts a 60-hour power reserve. It features a screwed sapphire crystal caseback that showcases a new star-shaped oscillating weight with stained finishings.

Zenith offers two versions of the watch with different straps, priced at CHF 9,400, equivalent to AED 35,900, for the Black "Nubuck" calfskin leather with a stainless steel triple folding clasp, and CHF 9,900, which is equivalent to AED 37,800, for the Metal Bracelet.

For more information please visit Zenith official website.

Technical specifications: Zenith Chronomaster Original
  1. Reference: Metal bracelet 03.3200.3600/22.M3200
    leather strap 03.3200.3600/22.C908
 
  1. Case: Stainless steel case, Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, Transparent sapphire crystal, zenith star on the crown
  2. Diameter: 38mm
  3. Height: 12.9mm
  4. Water resistance: 50 m
 
  1. Dial:  Black matte with three different-coloured counters,60-second counter positioned at 3 o’clock in a blue subdial, 60 minute counter positioned at 6 o’clock in a gray subdial, running seconds positioned at 9 o’clock in a silver subdial,  date window at 4:30, external 1/10th of the second black scale , inner scale colors from black to white,  Rhodium-plated hands and indexes coated with SuperLuminova, red chronograph hand that goes around the dial every 10 seconds
 
  1. Movement: In-house El Primero 3600, automatic movement, 311 components , 35 jewels
  2. Power reserve: 60 hours
  3. Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
  4. Functions:  1/10th chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds  
 
  1. Bracelet / Strap: Black "Nubuck" calfskin leather with a stainless steel triple folding clasp, or Metal Bracelet.
 
  1. Availability: permanent line 
  2. Price: CHF 9,400 which is equivalent to AED 35,900 for the Black "Nubuck" calfskin leather , CHF 9,900 which is equivalent to AED 37,800

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