Feb
It’s hard to look at the Zenith Chronomaster Sport without taking a close look. The watch’s dial, contrasting colors, and striking case shape are all part of the appeal, and draw the eye in a way not many others can.
Zenith blended classic aesthetics and modern materials to create the Chronomaster Sport, which takes the classic three-register design and surrounds it with a ceramic bezel. White and black dial colors are available, both of which come with a black surround. Zenith’s signature silver, grey and blue subdials create a gorgeous accent, and the company’s star logo features prominently on the dial and chronograph hand.
Zenith provided chronograph movements for the Rolex Daytona for more than a decade, so it’s no surprise that its movements are highly regarded. The El Primero Caliber 3600 powering the Chronomaster Sport offers a 60-hour power reserve and automatic winding. It’s a beautifully decorated movement that can be seen prominently display under the open caseback. With 36,000 vibrations per hour, it provides 1/10th of a second increments with the chronograph active.
Zenith offers the Chronomaster sport in two dial colors and with a few strap options. The black dial model offers slightly better legibility, but many will choose the white dial variant for its bolder style and closer resemblance to the ultra-hard-to-find Rolex Daytona “panda” model. Zenith’s bracelet features polished center links and brushed outer links that catch the light and make the watch stand out on the wrist. The company offers the Chronomaster Sport on a woven strap in black for black dial models and blue for white dial variants. Either choice looks fantastic, and the watch’s 20mm lug width makes it easy to accessorize with other straps.
If Zenith isn’t your thing, there are several other brands that should be on your list. It’s impossible to ignore the Breitling Navitimer, which is offered in more dial colors and strap/bracelet combinations than the Zenith. It comes with the fantastic B01 movement and looks great on almost any strap. There’s also the Omega Speedmaster, which has nearly blossomed into a brand of its own. It comes in multiple variants, including automatic winding versions and the traditional hand-wind model. Finally, consider the Tudor Black Bay Chronograph, available in similar color schemes and at a much lower price point.