Fifty-five years after the birth of the El Primero movement, Zenith has unveiled two distinct variations of its El Primero-equipped Chronomaster, each making a bold statement.
Leaping into the continuing trend for green watches, the Chronomaster Sport core collection welcomes a new 41mm steel case with a green ceramic bezel engraved with 1/10th of a second markers – a first in the line-up.
Paired with a three-link steel bracelet featuring an adjustable clasp, the dynamic green theme adds a vibrant twist to the sporty aesthetics.
The interplay of colour and contrasting finishes extends to the dial, which is coated in a green lacquer colour-matched to the ceramic bezel.
Immediately identifiable as a Chronomaster, it showcases Zenith’s signature tricolour sub-dials in tones of grey and blue. Even the date wheel aligns with the dial’s colour palette.
Two variants are on offer: one featuring a stainless-steel bracelet, and the other equipped with a strap constructed from durable FKM rubber that seamlessly integrates with the case. Again, the colour is a perfect match with the bezel and dial.
The new Chronomaster Sport in green costs £9,700 on a rubber strap or £10,200 on a steel bracelet.
Gem-set Chronomaster Sport
For those desiring a more opulent option, Zenith has also unveiled the most luxurious iteration of the Chronomaster Sport to date, featuring a sumptuous rose-gold case and bracelet. The bezel is set with baguette-cut white diamonds, black spinels, and grey and blue sapphires.
The dial itself is created from meteorite given a golden hue that reveals the stone’s distinctive Windmanstätten pattern with a warm, solar glow. The dial is completed with baguette-cut diamond hour markers and applied chronograph counters in traditional shades of grey and blue, plus a date wheel that mirrors the dial’s golden tone.
The Chronomaster Sport is powered by the El Primero 3600 with a frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 VpH) and a precise 1/10th of a second indication.
With an extended power reserve of 60 hours, the movement is both efficient and reliable.
It is on sale now for £87,200.
Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar
Within the new Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar, Zenith amalgamates the cutting-edge capabilities of its distinguished automatic high-frequency El Primero chronograph with a triple calendar and moonphase, all encased in a compact, historically inspired design that unmistakably embodies the character of Chronomaster.
In 1969, the El Primero was initially created to incorporate the triple calendar and moonphase functionalities. A collection of 25 prototypes emerged in 1970, utilising the same rounded case as the A386 to validate the concept.
However, owing to the success of the initial chronograph version, the launch of the inaugural El Primero triple calendar watch was deferred for several years. By the mid-1970s, its design evolved into a futuristic aesthetic, reflecting a space-age sensibility.
The 2024 Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar emerges as potentially the most versatile and function-rich segment in the Chronomaster collection. While the 1/10th of a second chronograph retains its prominence and readability, the incorporation of the complete calendar ensures effortless visibility without cluttering the dial.
Windows symmetrically positioned above the chronograph counters reveal the days of the week and months, while the date window adheres to the traditional El Primero placement at 4:30. The moon phase display aligns with the chronograph’s 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock.
The compact 38mm steel case doesn’t merely draw inspiration from vintage aesthetics but is actually rooted in the precise blueprint and proportions of the A386 from 1969.
The absence of a bezel, coupled with a raised and domed sapphire crystal, showcases a remarkable design achievement, seamlessly integrating a complete calendar with a moonphase mechanism into the automatic high-frequency 1/10th of a second chronograph calibre without altering the case’s proportions.
The Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar, priced at £12,100 on a strap or £12,500 on a steel bracelet, is presented in two dial variations: a dynamic silvery-white ‘panda’ opaline dial with black counters and a 1/10th of a second scale, and an opulent opaline slate-grey dial with silvery-white counters and a scale inspired by the limited series of El Primero triple calendar prototypes from 1970.
Rose gold-tone applied baton markers and hands add a warm contrast, accentuating the polished rose-gold moon set on a metallic blue sunray-patterned disk adorned with five-pointed stars. An exclusive sunburst olive-green dial variant is exclusively reserved for the Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Boutique Edition, available solely at Zenith’s physical and online boutiques.
Powered by the latest iteration of the El Primero automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre, the Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar’s El Primero 3610 operates at a frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 VpH), delivering a precise 1/10th of a second chronograph function. Despite the incorporation of the complete calendar, its efficient transmission ensures a power reserve of approximately 60 hours.
The timepiece is offered with either a three-link steel bracelet featuring alternating brushed and polished finishes matching the case, or a calfskin strap in black, blue, or green for the panda, slate-grey, and Boutique Edition dials, respectively.
