Zenith quietly released a new Chronomaster Sport variant overnight in a striking blue dial and stainless steel bezel that gives the piece a whole new look.
The Zenith Chronomaster Sport feels like an iconic timepiece from the brand. However, it’s only been around since late 2020 when it was released at LVMH Watch Week in Dubai. Be sure to check out our hands on review here from just after the release. This means that as a fairly new collection, there’s a long runway for Zenith to play around with the models and introduce new colourways and design variants.
The new model, is slightly different however, as Zenith have broken away from the traditional ceramic bezel, and for this model, given it a fixed steel bezel which gives the piece a whole new look. Or familiar, depending on how you compare this to another well known all steel sports chronograph that used to use a Zenith movement…You know what I’m talking about here.
For this release, Zenith have given the Chronomaster Sport a beautiful blue sun-ray finished dial, which if you’re a blue watch fan, you’ll most probably love. Zenith make a great blue for their dials. If you’ve seen images of the Defy Skyline with the blue dial and strap (if not, read our hands on review of the Defy Skyline here), you’ll appreciate the shade they use.
More than just a dial change however, the newest version of the Chronomaster Sport also takes a page from the “DeLuca” and “Rainbow” references of the 1980s and 1990s with a blue dial and polished steel bezel. With its polished surface and black filled engraved markers, it takes on a decidedly retro look, recalling those older El Primero models. Whilst the design and style is a little retro, the whole look is modern and with the blue dial and tri-coloured sub-dials, is decidedly fresh.
Powering the Chronomaster Sport is the now very familiar El Primero calibre, dubbed the El Primero 3600. With its high frequency of 5 Hz (36’000 VpH), a true 1/10th of second indication on the chronograph and 60 hours of power reserve, it beats away under the display sapphire crystal case back, revealing a blue column wheel and open rotor marked with the five-pointed star Zenith.
Final Thoughts
Whilst many of the watch industry compared the Zenith Chronomaster Sport to potentially one of the most famous chronographs in the world, and one would suggest this could quiet happen again with new model, it does stand on it’s own and is a good looking watch. The blue sun-ray dial with matching date window looks fresh and just in time for the coming summer here Australia will compliment most attires, and the polished centre links on the bracelet does give it a more dressy feel.
Whilst normally not a big fan of steel bezels that would normally be ceramic or have a coloured inset, on this, it just seems to work. It gives it a nice clean aesthetic that cates a minimalist look. The added benefit to this is the price on the new Chronomaster Sport which comes in at $800 less than the standard black and white dials variants, and $2,300 less than the boutique only version.
Reference: 03.3114.3600/51.M3100
Specification:
- Case: 41mm, 47mm lug-lug and 13mm thick
- Case Material: Brushed and Polished Steel
- Dial: Blue-toned sunray-patterned with three different-coloured counters, Rhodium-plated, markers and hands faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
- Crystal: Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
- Water resistance: 100 meters
- Movement: El Primero 3600 high frequency automatic movement. Beating at 36’000 VpH / 5Hz with 1/10th second chronograph function
- Power reserve: 60 hours
- Bracelet: Stainless Steel Bracelet with brushed outer and polished inner links and folding clasp
