Since its inception in 1969, Zenith’s groundbreaking El Primero movement – the first automatic, integrated, high-frequency chronograph caliber – has been synonymous with the classic complication. Now, Zenith takes the essence of this historically significant movement and highlights the high-frequency component with its first time-only application in the Chronomaster line.
With the new Chronomaster Solo Sport, form and function go hand in hand. The three-hand display offers a design that is decidedly less sporty than its chronograph counterparts. However, the new collection continues a throughline we’ve seen within the Chronomaster lineup, making it both fresh and familiar to the model family.
The Solo Sport has a 40mm build that fits well within the Chronomaster range of 37mm for the vintage-inspired revival models up to 41mm for the standard chronograph sport models. As we’ve also seen in the typical sport models, the Solo Sport models feature a ceramic, unidirectional rotating bezel. Ceramic extends to the dial, which presents a new “Z” pattern. Depending on the version – white, black, or brown – this pattern is engraved on either a sunray-finished white ceramic dial or a polished black or brown ceramic surface. Additionally, the black version is also offered in a no-date variant for a total of four Solo Sport styles.
The “Z” motif is repeated once more on the stylization of the seconds hand. The more geometric elements of this dial design continue with the “shark tooth” minute track at the periphery, which introduces a highly segmented reading of time inspired by historical Zenith references. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the patterned or textured dials that we’ve increasingly seen in modern iterations of sport models across many brands. However, the combination of the “Z” motif across the dial and seconds hand along with the “shark tooth” minute track does provide a nice angular or linear contrast to the softer curves of the true round case and the architecture of the three-link bracelet.
Speaking of the bracelet, each is secured by the newly developed Zenclasp folding clasp, which made its debut at Watches & Wonders earlier this year. This exclusive new design also balances form and function. It’s highly ergonomic with smooth, rounded lines that fit nicely to the wrist, and its safety-lock system and integrated micro-adjustment mechanism allow for quick and precise resizing directly on the wrist without tools, enabling 2.5mm increments with a total extension range of 10mm. While it long felt like the bracelet was often an afterthought, it’s a welcome change of pace to see so many brands, like Zenith, really thinking of the watch holistically and placing renewed attention on the fit and functionality of the bracelet and clasp design.
Of course, the heart of the Solo Sport deserves equal attention. Here, you have none other than the famed El Primero movement – the 3620 to be exact. Operating at 5 Hz (36,000 VpH), this automatic manufacture caliber preserves the high-frequency signature that has defined El Primero since its introduction. Yet, the construction has also evolved over time with modern upgrades like a silicon escapement, a stop-second mechanism, and a bi-directional winding system with a star-shaped rotor.
Each of the four new versions of the Chonomaster Solo Sport join Zenith’s permanent catalog today, with prices starting at $9,800 for the no date iteration and going up to $10,900 for the date versions. For more information, head over directly to Zenith.
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