530

Watches & Wonders 2026: The Chronomaster Sport Skeleton marks a bold new chapter for Zenith, bringing the mechanical beauty of the El Primero to the forefront like never before!

Zenith changed the world of watchmaking when it first launched the automatic chronograph in 1969. What made this feat even more impressive was the fact that the El Primero was not just any ordinary automatic chronograph, but an integrated high-frequency movement. It established a new standard of precision in mechanical watchmaking, with a beating heart of 5 Hz (36,000 VpH).

Over the past few decades, since the El Primero’s inception, Zenith has continuously pushed the boundaries of watchmaking, further enhancing both its performance and functionality through innovation. We have seen the El Primero gain a 1/10th of a second chronograph display with the introduction of the El Primero 3600 calibre.

The El Primero 3600 movement was created for a line that would continue the El Primero’s legacy: the Chronomaster. Within the Chronomaster family, Zenith introduced another timepiece in 2021, the Chronomaster Sport. This model was created to offer a more modern, everyday sports chronograph, marking the start of a new era for Zenith’s sporty-chic chronographs by blending vintage El Primero DNA with a more contemporary sports watch design.

But more specifically, the Chronomaster collection was created to showcase the latest evolution of the El Primero movement, a calibre that is still heralded today for its exceptional performance and for remaining in continuous production. The Chronomaster collection’s standout feature was its 1/10th of a second display, showcasing the performance of the high-frequency movement in a highly visible way.

The Chronomaster Sport, in particular, was designed to be a more versatile and wearable chronograph within Zenith’s line-up. The timepiece features both heritage-driven design and modern aesthetics, which is why we see the tri-counter layout, steel bracelet, vintage-inspired pump pushers, and the more contemporary black ceramic bezel. However, over the years, the collection has continued to take on a more contemporary approach while still retaining its vintage cues.

Performance Through Transparent Design

For the very first time in the Chronomaster collection, Zenith is introducing a skeletonised version, where it pushes the mechanical expression of the line further by bringing the famed El Primero movement to the forefront. This is a move that not only highlights the technical sophistication of the calibre but also gives the Chronomaster line a more contemporary and aesthetic identity.

These new Chronomaster Sport Skeleton timepieces are presented in the signature 41mm case, which features alternating brushed and polished surfaces to deliver a luxury, sporty aesthetic. What I do love about the Chronomaster collection is its reference to vintage design, despite being a contemporary design. The vintage-inspired pump-style chronograph pushers, along with the knurled crown and Zenith’s iconic five-pointed star logo, are finished in a mirror-like polished finish that easily distinguishes it from the rest of the case design.

This collection features four different models. There are two timepieces offered in stainless steel, with either a scratch-resistant polished black or green ceramic bezel insert. Both options come with a white scale for the 1/10th of a second chronograph measurements. The third version is an 18-carat rose gold model, which is paired with the scratch-resistant black ceramic bezel with golden 1/10th of a second chronograph scale. This colour combination offers a richer and more elevated aesthetic, with the rose gold bringing a sense of luxury while the black ceramic bezel ensures the watch still retains the sporty character that defines the Chronomaster collection.

The last model in the collection is an exclusive limited edition timepiece of 10 pieces in rose gold, which is matched with a gold bracelet and crowned by a bezel set with 50 baguette-cut diamonds. With a full 18-ct rose gold bracelet and with the additions of the diamonds, this timepiece elevates the Chronomaster skeleton into ultra-luxury status, offering a far more grandiose interpretation of Zenith’s high-frequency sports chronograph.

The highlight of this new collection, however, is of course the transparent dial. All four variants of this collection feature a transparent sapphire dial with a smoked black gradient. Personally, I love the execution of this transparent dial. Having a smoked black gradient like this offers the timepiece two key features. It allows the wearer to still see the skeletonised movement underneath the tri-counter layout of the Chronomaster, while with the outer edge of the dial being black, it offers excellent dial readability.

Dial readability is one of the downsides of having a skeletonised dial, with the indices and hands often getting lost within the movement. With the execution of these Chronomaster Sport Skeleton timepieces, this becomes a non-issue and perfectly balances having both without any sacrifices.

The signature tri-colour overlapping counters, grey, anthracite, and blue, remain as a reference to the original El Primero of 1969. Then we have the baton-style applied markers and faceted hands coated with C1 Super-LumiNova guarantee optimal legibility in low visibility. What can also be seen through the dial and the case back is the column wheel, finished in blue, along with its horizontal clutch architecture.

A New Patented Folding Clasp by ZENITH

With this new Chronomaster Sport Skeleton collection, Zenith introduces a new patented folding clasp. The three-link bracelet features a vertical brushed finish on the outside links, while the central features a beautiful polished finish that matches the luxury aesthetic of the case. The folding clasp, as stated by Zenith, “is secured by a safety lift-up cover emblazoned with the ZENITH star logo. Its construction enables straightforward and precise operation, with secure fastening reinforced by ceramic ball components.”

The clasp also features a user-friendly micro-adjustment mechanism, which allows for the bracelet to be resized without tools. The bracelet can be resized while the watch is being worn, which greatly enhances the wearability of the timepiece. The micro-adjustments are made by lifting a secondary cover, enabling 2 mm increments across five positions — for a total adjustment range of 10 mm.

At The Heart of High Precision

The Chronomaster Sport Skeleton features Zenith’s modern El Primero movement, the 3600 SK Calibre. This is a movement that continues the brand’s long-standing reputation for high-frequency precision. Beating at 5Hz (36,000 VpH), what makes this movement stand out from the other high-frequency calibres on the market is it;s accurate 1/10th of a second chronograph display, becoming one of the defining traits of the modern Chronomaster line.

The 3600SK movement incorporates a silicon escape wheel, which helps to improve both precision and durability, while the stop-seconds mechanism of the calibre allows for more accurate time-setting when required. When you normally have a high-frequency movement, the power reserve takes a hit; however, Zenith has managed to balance this act, with the 3600SK Calibre delivering a healthy 60-hour power reserve. In keeping with the skeletonised nature of the watch, Zenith has also fitted the movement with an openworked rotor, engraved with the brand’s signature star.

Initial Thoughts

Zenith has taken one of its strongest modern collections and has given it a fresh new identity with the Chronomaster Sport Skeleton. Personally, I love seeing skeletonised dials, as it really gives a view into the architecture and inner workings of the movement underneath, and with such a high-frequency calibre like the El Primero 3600SK, you’ll only be doing it more justice.

Zenith have been able to balance the art of skeletonisation and dial readability beautifully with the addition of the transparent sapphire dial with a smoked black gradient. By opening up the dial, Zenith allows the technical heart of the watch to become part of the overall design, which gives the collection a more dynamic and contemporary character. It still carries all the familiar Chronomaster Sport cues, but now with a sharper, more expressive personality.

Adding to the mix of aesthetic design is the use of various materials such as steel, 18-carat rose gold, the coloured ceramic bezels, and the diamond-set bezel, which shows that Zenith has made a clear effort in giving the collection a broader appeal. However, what this timepiece is really about is the dial, and for those who appreciate mechanical watchmaking, the exposed El Primero 3600 SK movement is undoubtedly the hero of the watch, adding another layer of depth to an already impressive chronograph.

Reference: Zenith Chronomaster Sport Skeleton Steel (03.3130.3600/01.M3130) & (03.3131.3600/01.M3130)

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $26,100

Availability: Available through Zenith boutiques and authorised retailers, or please head online to Zenith-watches.com.au

Reference: Zenith Chronomaster Sport Skeleton 18-carat rose gold (18.3130.3600/01.R951)

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $49,000

Availability: Available through Zenith boutiques and authorised retailers, or please head online to Zenith-watches.com.au

Reference: Zenith Chronomaster Sport Skeleton 18-carat rose gold with diamonds (22.3130.3600/01.M3100)

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $173,200 

Availability: Available through Zenith boutiques and authorised retailers, or please head online to Zenith-watches.com.au