The new model bears some of those models’ vintage influences: its sleek, 41-mm steel case features the pump-style chronograph pushers of earlier models, and the tricompax dial (in either matte black, as on our review model, or matte white) hosts a set of overlapping subdials in the classic El Primero colors of blue, anthracite, and light gray, just as they appeared on the classic A386 model from 1969. The Chronomaster Sport marks, according to Zenith, “a new era for the quintessential Zenith sporty-chic chronograph,” the El Primero-equipped Chronomaster, whose other recent variations have included more retro-influenced models like the Chronomaster Revival Manufacture Edition and Chronomaster A385 Revival. This year, Zenith remedied that with the introduction of the Chronomaster Sport series, which houses the most recent, most optimized version of the El Primero and introduces an ultra-readable ceramic bezel with an etched, graduated 1/10th-second display. In most watches that housed this now-famous movement, however, the dial was not designed to actually record these minuscule measurements in an easily legible way. The El Primero would become the cornerstone upon which Zenith would build its modern brand for many years to come. In 1969, Zenith made history with the introduction of the original El Primero caliber, which was notable for, among other aspects, its uncommonly high frequency of 36,600 vph (5 Hz), which in practical terms meant that its integrated chronograph could record elapsed times not just to the second but to the 1/10th second. The Le Locle-based manufacture still holds the world record for chronometry Observatory Prizes, at 1,565. Zenith has always been all about pushing the boundaries of mechanical timekeeping precision. Zenith Chronomaster Sport on steel bracelet In this feature from the WatchTime archives, I give it a test drive.
EL PRIMERO SPORT SERIES
An earlier version of the story was incorrect.Zenith’s most attention-grabbing release of 2021 was the Chronomaster Sport, whose revolutionary 1/10th-second chronograph display is intended to lead the El Primero-equipped series into the future.
“And if you’re not really into the iconic past or even Zenith for that matter, you will simply see a good-looking watch that’s easy to wear, very casual and sporty.”Ĭorrection: The watch's VpH rate is 36,000. “If you are a connoisseur, if you’re really a collector, you immediately figure out that we had similar watches and where we took the inspiration from,” he explains. Stop it, and you can easily read the tenths of a second on the bezel scale.įor Tornare, Chronomaster Sport bridges the gap between the brand’s ardent vintage enthusiasts and a new client who simply appreciates a great sport watch design. Press the retro pump-style pusher, and the chronograph second hand starts spinning at a rate of one rotation every 10 seconds. This window offers a view of the high-frequency column-wheel (highlighted in blue) chronograph with a lateral clutch and an extended 60-hour power reserve.īuilding off 50 years of experience, this next-gen El Primero is able to precisely track 1/10th-of-a-second increments from the 5 Hz (36,000 VpH) escapement. The sleek black ceramic bezel, marked in increments of 1/10th of a second, offers a clue to what’s under the hood: the new and improved El Primero 3600 caliber, showcased through the sapphire crystal case back. The light-gray sub-dial at 9 o’clock is a small-seconds and the chronograph counters-minutes at 6 o’clock and seconds at 3 o’clock-are scaled to 60 for a quick and intuitive read of elapsed times.
With black or white versions, the dial design stays true to the original 1969 El Primero A386 with its overlapping, colored sub-dials in shades of blue, anthracite and light gray. “It’s super comfortable, polished, and with the security buckle we had on the De Luca in those years.” It also comes on a textured rubber strap if you prefer that look. “We worked a lot on the bracelet to make it as close as possible to the De Luca’s,” Tornare says. Wore one on his audacious 23-mile skydiving jump from a space capsule suspended from a giant helium balloon in the stratosphere.Ĭhronomaster Sport’s robust stainless steel case measures 41mm with an integrated steel bracelet that directly takes its cues from the De Luca. A277 pre-El Primero chronograph and the Stratos Striking Tenth from 2011, made famous when Zenith aficionados may also pick up a few influences from the ’60s-era ref.
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