Zenith removes the chronograph from its celebrated Chronomaster formula, placing the high-frequency character of El Primero firmly in focus.
The El Primero is one of the most iconic calibres in horology. It emerged during the race to create the world’s first automatic chronograph, with Zenith delivering the first integrated, high-frequency example. Its 5Hz frequency became central to the calibre’s identity, allowing the regulating organ to operate at 36,000 vibrations per hour, an almost unheard-of rate for an automatic movement at the time.
The El Primero movement has been used extensively across various Zenith collections, including the Chronomaster Sport. Introduced in 2021, the collection represented a contemporary evolution of the brand’s high-frequency automatic chronographs. What made the Chronomaster Sport stand out was its ceramic bezel and signature overlapping coloured counters, which combined modern sports watch styling with familiar design codes from the original 1969 El Primero.
Since its debut, the Chronomaster collection has been defined by chronograph models powered by the high-frequency El Primero movement. However, Zenith is now changing this dynamic. Can the Chronomaster stand on its own without its most defining complication? This is precisely what the new Chronomaster Solo Sport sets out to answer, retaining the high-frequency heart of El Primero within a simplified three-hand sports watch.
A More Versatile Chronomaster
Unlike the Chronomaster Sport, the new Chronomaster Solo Sport features a more compact 40mm stainless steel case. As expected, removing the chronograph pushers creates a cleaner and more symmetrical profile, allowing the case architecture to have a more prominent visual presence on the wrist.
While the case is more restrained than the Chronomaster Sport, the angular lugs and crown guards give it greater presence than its dimensions might suggest. However, it remains perfectly suited to my 16cm wrist. As the photos show, the lugs extend neatly towards the edges of my wrist, while the stainless steel bracelet wraps around it comfortably and securely without appearing overbearing.
The Zenith Chronomaster Solo Sport offers 200 metres of water resistance, supported by its screw-down crown and robust case construction. Significantly, this doubles the rating of the Chronomaster Sport, providing greater peace of mind when swimming or enjoying other water activities. However, this is not necessarily a watch most owners would choose for serious diving.
One of the defining features of the Chronomaster Solo Sport is its unidirectional rotating ceramic bezel. This provides elapsed time functionality, partially replacing the everyday timing capability lost by removing the chronograph. Three colourways are available, with the white and black dial models featuring black ceramic bezels, while the brown edition takes a more colourful approach with a chocolate-toned bezel. The polished ceramic surface also creates a contemporary contrast against the stainless steel case while providing strong scratch resistance.
All three colourways are presented on a stainless steel three-link bracelet featuring a mixture of vertical satin brushed and polished surfaces that complement the case beautifully. The polished central links stand out against the brushed outer links, adding to the model’s contemporary and refined appearance. The major bracelet update, however, is Zenith’s new ZENCLASP folding clasp, which combines a safety lock system with tool-free micro-adjustment.
Adjustments can be made in 2.5mm increments across a total range of 10mm, allowing the bracelet to accommodate natural changes in wrist size throughout the day. Zenith spent three years developing ZENCLASP and tested it through more than 600,000 opening and closing cycles, making it one of this release’s most significant practical upgrades.
High Frequency Made Visible
While the cases of these new models do not represent a drastic change from the Chronomaster Sport, the dials deliver a far more distinctive design. Personally, I like what Zenith has created, as it connects the visual identity of the dial directly to the brand’s historic and iconic El Primero movement.
Each of the dials is structured around a repeated 45-degree “Z” motif developed exclusively for the Chronomaster Solo Sport. Zenith designed this pattern to represent the rhythm and vibration of the 5Hz movement operating beneath the dial. Rather than presenting high frequency solely as a technical specification, the motif translates the movement’s rhythm into a recognisable visual signature. This signature is also present above the 6 o’clock hour marker, making it clear what the pattern signifies.
Zenith presents the dial in three different colours: white, black and brown ceramic, each paired with a matching or contrasting ceramic bezel. While the white dial presents the most contrasting aesthetic, it is also where the 45-degree “Z” motif is least visible. The pattern is much more pronounced on the black and brown dials.
Out of the four models, three feature a date window integrated neatly into the 3 o’clock position, with the date wheel colour matched to the dial so it does not stand out prominently. There is also a no-date edition with a black dial for those who prefer a cleaner aesthetic.
Out of all the different colour combinations and options available, my personal choice would have to be the chocolate edition, as it presents a unique look while also allowing the high-frequency “Z” motif to be expressive. However, in saying that, I am not sure if I am totally on board with the brown dial being matched to a brown ceramic bezel. It is not a colour combination I am used to, which may explain why it feels like an odd choice, as personally, I would have loved to see the brown dial matched with a black bezel. In saying that, the brown ceramic bezel does have its appeal, as it is not a colour often seen on timepieces.
Zenith has also used historical design cues on these new Chronomaster Solo Sport models. The segmented “shark tooth” minute track surrounds the patterned dial surface, with this design drawing inspiration from historical Zenith references while reinforcing precise time reading. Again, this minute track presents a different visual depending on the dial colour.
On the black and brown dials, it is more prominent, which can make the dial appear slightly busy, as both the minute track and the “Z” motif compete for attention. However, on the white dial, this is far more subdued, which is why the model feels cleaner in its design, even though all these details remain visible upon closer inspection.
El Primero Without The Chronograph
Powering these new Zenith Chronomaster Solo Sport models is the automatic El Primero 3620 manufacture calibre. Derived from the brand’s El Primero 3600 chronograph movement, it removes the chronograph functionality while retaining the signature 5Hz frequency that defines the El Primero family. Calibre 3620 operates at 5Hz, or 36,000vph, providing a smooth central seconds hand display alongside an impressive 60-hour power reserve. The movement also features a silicon escapement, stop-seconds mechanism, and bidirectional winding system.
Turn the watch over, and you are treated to an open caseback showcasing the El Primero 3620 manufacture movement. While the finishing is not executed throughout the entirety of the movement, there are still vertically brushed surfaces across the mainplate and skeletonised winding rotor. The rotor also features a skeletonised star as a reference to Zenith’s five-pointed star logo.
Initial Thoughts
Introducing a three-hand model as part of the evolution of a collection focused solely on high-frequency chronographs is certainly a bold move, as it separates the watch from the defining feature it is known for. However, the Chronomaster Solo Sport demonstrates that the identity of El Primero is not limited to measuring elapsed time, but also includes the movement’s high-frequency rhythm and precision.
Not only that, but it also gives the Chronomaster a new point of reference, especially for those who wanted something simpler, more suitable for everyday wear and versatile enough to be worn in different scenarios.
Removing the chronograph from the equation not only makes the case more visually refined, but also means that the main focal point becomes the 5Hz high-frequency “Z” motif. Through this, Zenith has broadened the meaning of Chronomaster without completely abandoning the movement technology that established the collection in the first place. The Chronomaster Solo Sport therefore feels less like a departure and more like a new expression of the El Primero philosophy.
References & Specifications:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| References: | White dial with date: 03.5000.3620/69.M5000 Black dial with date: 03.5000.3620/22.M5000 Brown dial with date: 03.5001.3620/72.M5000 Black dial without date: 03.5000.3620/21.M5000 |
| Dimensions | 40mm diameter |
| Case Material | Stainless steel with angular lugs, crown guards and screw-down crown. Unidirectional rotating ceramic bezel in black or brown |
| Case Back | Sapphire crystal with multi-layer anti-reflective coating on both sides |
| Dial | White sunray finished, polished black or polished brown ceramic dial with repeated 45 degree “Z” motif |
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides |
| Movement | Automatic Zenith El Primero 3620 manufacture calibre operating at 5Hz, or 36,000vph |
| Power Reserve | 60-hour power reserve |
| Water Resistance | 20 ATM, or 200 metres |
| Bracelet | Three-link stainless steel bracelet with mixed brushed and polished finishing. ZENCLASP folding clasp with safety lock and tool-free micro-adjustment. |