It makes the mechanism truly worth showing off, unlike those in many lower-priced and lower-frequency calibers. There’s something absolutely hypnotic about the oscillating balance and the speed at which the pallet fork and escapement wheel function.
Zenith chronomaster sport thickness upgrade#
The aperture provides a glimpse into the caliber within, including the purple silicon escape wheel and the 5Hz oscillator.Īn upgrade in the engine room - El Primero caliber 3604Īs I mentioned in the intro, the 5Hz (36,000vph) frequency provides an open-hearted spectacle like few other movements. And while the aperture on the dial retains a similar shape, the old frame around it is gone in favor of a subtle bevel.
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This is a new addition to the Chronomaster Open, as previous versions had no sub-dial there at all. The third sub-dial at 9 o’clock is made of a clear polymer and allows a functional readout of the running small seconds. Two sunburst sub-dials in vivid blue and dark gray track elapsed minutes and seconds as timed by the chronograph. And, of course, Zenith’s signature multi-colored registers give this Chronomaster Open a lovable, historical touch. A 1/10th-of-a-second scale encircles the dial, bringing the utmost functionality to the Chronomaster Open. The steel models have red accents on the chronograph hands, while those on the rose gold model are black. The style of the hands and markers is familiar indeed, carrying over from the previous Chronomaster Open and Chronomaster Sport. The rose gold model, however, provides a matte silver dial, which contrasts beautifully with the rose gold markers and hands.
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The stainless steel models offer either a white or black dial with rhodium-plated hands and applied hour markers. The case is water-resistant to 100 meters and features sapphire crystals on the front and the back. The pushers flank the nicely knurled signature crown, which is generously domed with a Zenith star in relief. These pump-style pushers now have a slightly domed surface, providing luxurious tactility when operating the chronograph.
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Glinting bevels lead the way to the polished case band, matching a highly polished bezel, crown, and chronograph pushers. The case design is characteristic of the Chronomaster line, featuring vertically brushed tops on the chopped-off lugs. For a lot of people out there, that is the sweet spot, and personally, I can’t wait to try one on my wrist! Since the 41mm Chronomaster Sport is 47mm lug-to-lug, if my logic works out, this should be in the 45-46mm range. Zenith hasn’t given us any info on the lug-to-lug yet, but I’m guessing that it will be right on as well. It’s smack-dab in the middle between the 38mm Chronomaster Original and the 41mm Chronomaster Sport. In my mind, this is a perfectly sized offering. The new Chronomaster Open, in either steel or rose gold, measures 39.5mm in diameter and a very reasonable 13.6mm in thickness. The thing that excited me right off the bat was the size of the case on these new models. The newer, more wearable Zenith Chronomaster Open They also provide Zenith’s wonderful “Striking 10th” complication! Let’s dive in!
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These new versions, however, are not just smaller and perfectly sized. But if there were ever a reasonably accessible watch that reignited the intrigue, it’s the Chronomaster Open! The first time I ever saw one was a magical experience, and I considered the outgoing 42mm version for the longest time. Along with a lower price, they also have a lower beat rate, and the slow oscillation loses its charm after a while. Now, if you think open-heart dials are “for newbs,” I think you may have just seen too many entry-level offerings. It was powered, of course, by the legendary El Primero. Paired with Zenith’s signature tri-color motif, it just may have you wearing your heart on your… face?ĭid you know that Zenith was the first brand ever to bring an open-heart-dial chronograph to market? It’s true! Back in 2003, Zenith introduced the very first generation of the Chronomaster Open. This classily executed and wearable watch puts the balance and escapement of the 5Hz El Primero on display. And when it comes to Zenith, high-frequency is the name of the game! For Watches & Wonders 2022, Zenith introduces the newest generation of the Chronomaster Open. This is especially true when paired with a high-frequency movement. Well, call me old-fashioned, but I think that’s poppycock! If done right, dials that reveal the beating heart of the watch can be some of the most intriguing dials out there. Some people say open-heart dials are passé.