Yesterday afternoon Zenith unveiled the new Chronomaster Sport ‘breaking the internet’ of watches. While I’ve never dared to give my opinion on a watch before seeing it in the metal, I think this is one of those instances where I feel I can and I have to. Equipped with an improved El Primero calibre and a black ceramic bezel, watch collectors around the globe immediately made the expected comparisons against the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. Capable of measurements with an accuracy of 1/10th of a second, the new Zenith Chronomaster Sport marks the rebirth of a legend.
Pushing the boundaries of high-frequency precision, the Chronomaster Sport is the culmination point in Zenith’s unequaled legacy of automatic chronographs that combines the spirit of the El Primero A386, the form of the Chronomaster De Luca and the high-frequency performance established by the El Primero calibre for over 50 years in a sporty chronograph like no other.
Let’s not forget that for 12 years between 1988 and 2000, the Zenith El Primero calibre 4030 was the beating heart of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16520.
The new Zenith Chronomaster Sport is powered by the new calibre El Primero 3600 which happens to be more precise and better performing that all of its predecessors. Immediately after its release yesterday afternoon, many dared to compare the bezel of the new Chronomaster Sport to the one on the Rolex Daytona. However, this new watch features a 1/10th of a second scale etched directly on its black ceramic bezel versus a tachymetric scale etched on the Rolex Daytona’s cerachrom bezel. Honestly, with all the measuring devices that are now available in the modern world, I find it hard to believe that anyone is using the tachymetric scale on the Rolex Daytona to measure speed on time traveled over a fixed distance. But, I could always be wrong.
As far as proportions, the new Zenith Chronomaster Sport features a 41 mm stainless steel case —1 mm larger than that of the Rolex Daytona— equipped with pump-style chronograph pushers —versus ‘mille righe’ screwed-in on the Rolex Daytona— and a polished black ceramic bezel that sets it apart from its predecessors and from the Rolex Daytona. Similar in looks yes, but not a ‘copycat’ as many labeled it yesterday.
While there could be some visual similarities with the Rolex Daytona at a quick glance, the Chronomaster Sport and the Rolex Daytona are far apart from each other and each of them is in a league of its own.
The Chronomaster Sport comes in two references, one with a matte black dial and the other with a white matte one. Both feature the signature El Primero tri-color chronograph registers in blue, anthracite and light grey, just like the A386 from 1969. Each of the counters is graduated to 60 which according to Zenith this layout allows for an intuitive and instantaneous reading of the chronograph but in my opinion it makes it a little confusing —running seconds located at 9 o’clock, 1/10th of a second central hand, 60-second chrono counter at 3 and 1-hour counter at 6.
Now, where the Chronomaster Sport wins over the Daytona is by having a very convenient and discreet date indication between 4 and 5 o’clock. After owning a couple of Rolex Daytonas in the past, the lack of date indication is the one thing that has always deterred me from keeping one in my watch box.
Another area where the new Chronomaster Sport over delivers is by making the watch available on a cordura-effect rubber strap with deployant buckle ref. 03.3100.3600/69.C823 (white dial) or ref. 03.3100.3600/21.C823 (black dial); or equipped with an integrated steel bracelet ref. 03.3100.3600/69.M3100 (white dial) or ref. 03.3100.3600/21.M3100 (black dial) similar to those conceived by Gay Frères, who supplied many of Zenith’s metal bracelets in the past.
The bracelet with polished center links seems relatively similar to the Oyster bracelet on the Daytona but knowing how Zenith finishes their bracelets, I am confident that in the metal the Zenith is quite different from the Oyster but equally well made.
Powering the Zenith Chronomaster Sport is the new self-winding El Primero 3600 calibre composed of 311 parts. With the experience gained over five decades since 1969, Zenith offers a 1/10th of second measurement from its 36,000 vph escapement, as well as an extended power reserve of 60 hours when fully wound.
Fitted with a display case back, the movement is fully visible and right here is where the Zenith and the Daytona are far apart. The Rolex Daytona is powered by the Rolex in-house calibre 4130 with a longer power reserve of 72 hours but not capable of measurements of 1/10th of a second.
While the model on stainless steel bracelet will offset you an additional $500 USD, we think is totally worth it to go this route, as the strap is something that can be added in the future for a lesser amount of money when compared to buying on strap and then adding a bracelet.
Overall and even without having seen the new Zenith Chronomaster Sport in the metal, I personally like it better than the Rolex Daytona for the following reasons:
The lineage in terms of development of chronograph movements is way superior when it comes to Zenith, who revolutionized the watch industry in 1969 when the El Primero was launched.
Having a date indication is very important to me and a clear advantage over the Rolex Daytona that lacks of one.
The pump chrono pushers are very retro looking and much easier to use without the need to screw them out before operating them as in the Daytona.
A display case back allows the wearer to enjoy the complexity and architecture of the mechanical movement which is a visual treat for watch lovers.
Lastly, there is no cult following like with the Daytona and the watch is readily available without supply and demand determining the price in the gray market. Honestly, who in its right mind pays $28K USD for a Rolex Daytona with a retail sticker price of $13,150 USD? An awful practice that has prevented too many watch lovers from ever owning a Rolex Daytona.
And even though I’ve listed the reasons why I would prefer owning the new Chronomaster Sport over the Daytona, it is important to say that I do prefer 12-hour chronographs over 60-minute ones. I really can’t wait to peruse one in the metal and see if the watch stays true to what I’ve said or not.
Sticker Price $10,000 USD on a bracelet and $9,500 USD on a strap. For more info on Zenith click here.
