Zenith Show They Are The Masters Of Chronographs With New Platform

Zenith unveils the revamped Chronomaster Open line as well as new Chronomaster Sport under its new “Master of Chronographs Since 1865” platform, combining immersive educational and experiential activities.

From iconic movements to pioneering designs, Zenith has steadily forged its reputation as a leader in precision and performance since its establishment in 1865. One field of watchmaking where Zenith has truly shined is the chronograph.

Originally launched in 2003 as the first chronograph with a partially open dial to reveal the regulating organ and escapement, the Chronomaster Open returns in a totally redesigned form – inside and out – to shine ever more light on its beating heart and allow the wearer to witness Zenith’s mastery of the high-frequency chronograph.

Crafted in a more moderate 39.5mm case in steel or rose gold, the new Chronomaster Open revisits the iconic tri-colour dial configuration with a transparent twist. Instead of cutting out the small seconds counter at 9 o’clock entirely as was the case with the previous generation of the Chronomaster Open, the three counter colours are kept thanks to a hesalite crystal element that serves as a readable sub-dial while allowing a view of the silicon star-shaped escape wheel.

The opening itself has also been reinterpreted, foregoing the former version’s applied “frame” and instead opting for circular openings with chamfered edges, revealing the movement with more straight bridges and a more contemporary grey tone.

Powered by the El Primero 3604 calibre, the newly developed movement is based on the El Primero 3600 1/10^th of a second automatic high-frequency calibre, with a more open architecture. More than a simple facelift, the new Chronomaster Open is imbued with the lines and attributes of the latest generation of the Chronomaster collection; somewhere between the sleek sportiness of the Chronomaster Sport and the historically inspired Chronomaster Original for a modern distillation of the essential Zenith El Primero chronograph.

The Chronomaster Sport was launched in 2021, when Zenith once again set a new benchmark for automatic sporty chronographs. Crowned with the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2021 “Chronograph” prize, the Chronomaster Sport is already a modern chronograph icon in the making.

Full gold chronographs have a special place in Zenith history that even predate the El Primero. Zenith has crafted the Chronomaster Sport entirely in rose gold – including the bracelet and engraved bezel with 1/10^th of a second scale. Available with either a black or white dial with the signature El Primero tricolour counters with golden hands and applied markers, the Chronomaster Sport in rose gold is meticulously finished with satin-brushed and polished surfaces to bring out the warm radiance of the precious metal.

The Chronomaster Sport is now also available in a “two-tone” aesthetic, combining the durability of stainless steel and the splendour of rose gold, paired with a shimmery silver sunray-patterned tricolour dial.

Technical Specifications:

CHRONOMASTER OPEN

Reference: 03.3300.3604/21.M3300

Key points: Automatic El Primero column-wheel chronograph able to measure and display 1/10^thof a second. Opening revealing the legendary beating heart of the El Primero movement. Silicon escape-wheel and lever. Increased power reserve of 60 hours. Stop-second mechanism.

Movement: El Primero 3604 automatic

Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)

Power reserve approx. 60 hours

Functions: 1/10th of a second chronograph functions. Hours and minutes in the centre. Small seconds at 9 o’clock, Central chronograph hand that makes one turn in 10 seconds, 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock, 60-second counter at 3 o’clock

Finishes: New star-shaped oscillating weight with satined finishings

Price: 9,900 CHF

Material: Stainless Steel

Water resistance: 10 ATM

Case: 39.5mm

Dial: Black matte with two different-coloured counters & a translucent polymer counter

Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Bracelet & Buckle: Metal Bracelet with a double folding clasp

CHRONOMASTER OPEN

Reference: 03.3300.3604/69.M3300

Movement: El Primero 3604 automatic