Last year in celebration of their 160th anniversary Zenith introduced the world to the G.F.J, a watch dedicated to the brand’s founder and housing a modern re-interpretation of the calibre 135, which won them the Chronometry prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Given its immediate success and popularity, it’s no surprise that for 2026 they are introducing not one but two new limited edition G.F.J models in addition to an expansion to the Chronomaster Sport line with skeleton and mother-of-pearl editions.
Zenith G.F.J Bloodstone
The G.F.J Bloodstone is essentially the warm tone counterpart to the cold tones of 2025’s platinum and lapis lazuli edition. The 39.15mm case is presented in yellow gold while the dial is made from Bloodstone – a type of jasper with a green tone flecked with red. The display retains the mother-of-pearl small seconds subdial, although it is presented in a matching shade of green this time. Around the edge is the signature brick-style guilloché inspired by the walls of the Zenith building in Le Locle.
Inside is the modern reinterpretation of the calibre 135. It recreates the historic movement’s core architectural features such as the size and proportions along with its signature oversize balance wheel and offset centre wheel while providing modern specs such as a 72-hour power reserve and +/- 2 seconds per day accuracy. Though the fact that it’s chronometer certified isn’t a surprise as the original calibre 135 won many chronometry prizes back in the day.
The Zenith G.F.J Bloodstone is limited to 161 pieces, making it the most numerous G.F.J, though only just as the original from last year was limited to 160. It’s priced at CHF 48,900 (approx. £46,100), the same as the 2025 edition.
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Zenith G.F.J Tantalum
In addition to the Bloodstone edition, Zenith are releasing the G.F.J Tantalum, which introduces a new higher end to what is already a high end series. The 39.15mm case is made from tantalum – a material that is more common than gold or platinum but harder to refine and machine, making it just as prestigious in watchmaking terms. It also stands out for its density, giving the watch a weighty quality.
Tantalum also has a darker grey tone compared to steel or platinum, so Zenith have leant into that with a monochrome display featuring a black onyx dial with a dark mother-of-pearl subdial. The guilloché outer section plays host to the diamond hour markers, further heightening the luxe leaning of the watch.
Inside is the same calibre 135 of the G.F.J series with its chronometer specs and 72-hour power reserve. The G.F.J Tantalum is a limited edition of 20 pieces at a price of CHF 73,900 (approx. £69,800).
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Zenith Chronomaster Sport Skeleton
Back in 2022 Zenith teased us with a dial-side glimpse of the El Primero movement inside Chronomaster Open, which had an open heart aperture in its dial. Now they’ve decided to do away with the dial in its entirety for the launch of the Chronomaster Sport Skeleton.
There are four models in the series, two stainless steel models and two in rose gold. The steel models are split between the classic black bezel with tri-colour subdials and the more modern green colourway. For the rose gold, there’s a standard model with black ceramic bezel and then a 10-piece limited edition with a diamond bezel and full gold bracelet.
They all measure 41mm in diameter and house the El Primero 3600SK movement with 60-hour power reserve and that signature hi-beat 5 Hz frequency. The movement is revealed beneath a sapphire disk on top of which the chronograph subdials and hour markers are mounted. Adding an extra visual element to the display, the sapphire disk has a black tint around the peripheral edge, giving a soft fumé effect to the watch.
Visually, they haven’t gone crazy with the skeletonization. At no point can you see all the way through the movement to see your wrist on the other side. That’s better for collectors who aren’t huge fans of hyper-skeletonized designs while still revealing the frenetic motion of the chronograph in action. You can see the column wheel with its horizontal clutch architecture.
The steel editions are both CHF 14,900 (approx. £14,000), the standard gold is CHF 27,900 (approx. £26,300) and lastly the limited edition is CHF 99,000 (approx. £93,250). That’s a lot of money even for the steel – a reminder that Zenith are not the practical tool watch brand of years past and stark evidence that the polarisation of the watch industry is a real phenomenon.
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Zenith Chronomaster Sport Mother-of-Pearl
In addition to the Chronomaster Sport Skeleton, Zenith are launching the Chronomaster Sport Mother-of-Pearl. It’s a bi-metallic interpretation of their modern chronograph with a stainless steel case body and rose gold bezel. It also has a matching bi-metal bracelet to complete the look.
However, the main focus of the watch is on the feature dial, which has a mother-of-pearl base and then the signature overlapping tricompax chronograph subdials in silver, grey and gold. It gives the watch a luxurious vibe without pushing the watch into an overtly feminine direction which can happen when brands create dressier versions of sport watches. For example, they haven’t given it a diamond bezel or gem hour markers, which other brands almost certainly would when using mother-of-pearl.
In fact, the watch is decidedly masculine as it retains the 41mm sizing of the collection in order to house the El Primero 3600 movement with its 60-hour power reserve and hi-beat 5 Hz frequency. It’s priced at CHF 17,900 (approx. £16,900).
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More details at Zenith.
