Yesterday, Logan shared the news of the updated Chronomaster Open, but that wasn’t the only new release Zenith had up its sleeve. The still kind-of-new Zenith Chronomaster Sport received a material upgrade with a blush-worthy new rose gold option, plus a two-tone option made of rose gold and steel. The full rose gold is available in either a white or black dial and the two-tone has a sunray dial; both options feature Zenith’s signature El Pimero tri-color counters and a tiny date display. The full rose gold really is full rose gold, all the way through the bracelet and the engraved bezel.
Inside you’ll find the in-house El Primero 3600 1/10th of a second automatic chronograph movement (just like the stainless steel version). The Zenith Chronomaster Sport watch is water-resistant up to 100m, has a power reserve of about 60 hours, and is 41mm (just like the stainless steel version). It is, however, $17,000 for the two-tone and $37,200 for the rose gold – whereas steel will cost you only (haha, only) $10,000. But if you’re in the market for a well-made precious metal chronograph this is still a relative bargain compared to some of the other watches out there.
This extension of the popular Zenith Chronomaster Sport line is part and parcel of Zenith’s “Master of Chronographs” platform, which is designed to give the function a little more love.
Zenith has done a great job of giving the sporty and use-forward Chronograph a luxe touch. I think the white dial all-rose-gold watch is particularly fetching, and could capture the attention of someone who isn’t initially interested in the history and impressive mechanics of the El Primero movement.
Given all that is going on with these dials, plus the not-small 41mm size, the Zenith Chronomaster Sport manages to still look relatively unburdened by all of its features. The mix of brush and polished on the rose gold gives the watch an engaging dimension and warmth. The 1/10th indications on the bezel give the dial room to breathe and the tri-color counters get their time to shine. All in all, it is a well-done extension of a well-done watch.
If you’re not a rose gold fan, well, this probably isn’t for you. But if you’re looking for something in the precious metal that combines watchmaking bona-fides and goes beyond the dress watch, you may find yourself somewhat enamored.