The Low-Down

It’s all of 72 years ago since the evergreen jazz standard Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend was first released. Everyone knows the song, but it turns out, despite massive strides in the way women are perceived today, diamonds are still a girls’ best friend.

This was plain to see during the first physical “MEET THE DREAMHERS” event held in Madrid, where guests were invited to discover a group of accomplished and outspoken women known as the ZENITH DREAMHERS.

To mark the occasion, Zenith unveiled a pair of Chronomaster Original models in diamonds with either a multi-colored mother-of-pearl dial or a taupe tri-color dial.

It was clear nothing has changed as far as ladies loving sparkly stones. The new Chronomaster Original in diamonds with their use of the iconic tri-color dial were definite showstoppers.

At 38mm – the standard Zenith Chronomaster size – the watches are perfect for women who love a larger watch, or men who love the flamboyance of diamond encrusted timepieces.

Both with stainless steel cases, the first version features a tri-color dial entirely rendered in mother-of-pearl instead of the chronograph counters in the traditional shades of grey and blue. The dial is adorned with four different colors of mother-of-pearl; white mother-of-pearl for the dial, two shades of blue for the chronograph counters and grey mother-of-pearl for the constant seconds.

The second version plays with three tones of taupe brown in the signature tri-color layout against a satin-white dial.

For real sparkle, just look to the lugs. Still sticking to the bezel-less structure of the Chronomaster Original, 56 tiny diamonds are expertly set on all four lugs to add plenty of pop and shimmer while being worn. Time is also made all the more precious by the fact that both dials are set with 9 diamonds for the hour markers.

Underneath the scintillating exterior, the Zenith Chronomaster Original remains a masterful achievement in time telling. With a 60-hour power reserve, the watch is powered by the latest generation of the revered El Primero 3600 with a high frequency of 5Hz (36’000 VpH). Its performance has been raised to offer a 1/10th of a second chronograph function.

Both versions of the Chronomaster Original come on soft calfskin leather straps in either light blue or taupe with tone-on-tone stitching, matching the colors of their respective dials.

IMHO

ZENITH DREAMHERS was established in 2020 as a platform for independent and inspirational women from all walks of life. It inspires women to share their voices and passion with likeminded women around the world.

Members of the press got to spend the evening with some of the DREAMHERS in a private villa and participate live at a panel discussion about women in the 21st century.

On the agenda was the need for change towards more inclusiveness and equal rights. Broadcast live on social media, Zenith DREAMHERS who participated in the inaugural physical event included contemporary artist Teresa Juevas, chef Amandine Chaignot, professional ballerina Precious Adams, fashion retail pioneer Ghizlan Guenez, EXTREME E racer Christine Giampaoli Zonca, skincare entrepreneur Laura Noltemeyer and former Miss Switzerland and medical professional Laetitia Guarino.

The watch world is still primarily a male dominated domain but this event was a subtle sea change for Zenith too. DREAMHERS also got to admire DEFY Midnight, Zenith’s first-ever collection dedicated entirely to women. The most popular feature of this range is the quick strap-change mechanism. It enables the wearer to quickly swap between the supplied steel bracelet and rubber or fabric straps with no tools needed.

Tech Specs

Chronomaster Original, Ref 16.3200.3600/02.C907, 38mm

Movement: El Primero 3600 Automatic, approx. 60 hours power reserve
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Small seconds at nine o’clock. 1/10th of a second Chronograph: central chronograph hand that makes one turn in 10 seconds, 60 minute counter at six o’clock, 60 second counter at three o’clock.
Case and dial: Total carats ~0.22 cts, Stones (lugs) 56 VS brilliant-cut diamonds, Stones (dial) 9VS brilliant-cut diamonds; 4 different kinds of Mother of Pearl; Sapphire crystal caseback
Strap and buckle: Light blue calfskin leather strap and stainless steel triple folding clasp
Price: CHF 12,900

Chronomaster Original, Ref 16.3200.3600/03.C906, 38mm

Movement: El Primero 3600 Automatic, approx. 60 hours power reserve
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Small seconds at nine o’clock. 1/10th of a second Chronograph: central chronograph hand that makes one turn in 10 seconds, 60 minute counter at six o’clock, 60 second counter at three o’clock.
Case and dial: Total carats ~0.22 cts, Stones (lugs) 56 VS brilliant-cut diamonds, Stones (dial) 9VS brilliant-cut diamonds; Silver-toned velvet-finish with 3 shades of Taupe colored counters; Sapphire crystal caseback
Strap and buckle: Light brown calfskin leather strap and stainless steel triple folding clasp
Price: CHF 11,900