Round-UpSporty Meets Sophisticated With These Top Five Zenith Chronomaster Watches

If you want to own a piece of a living legend from the world of timepieces on your wrist, Zenith is your best choice. With an illustrious 150-year-old history in watchmaking, Zenith is a brand of several firsts. ‘Reinventing time’ with their superior watchmaking expertise, Zenith watches are the best bet if you are looking for classical and refined elegance. The most understated brand of the LVMH kitty, Zenith delivers what it stands for – the zenith of mastery, expertise and originality. To add to that – allow me to spell it aloud – if you want to lay your hands on the world’s most accurate chronograph series, your search ends with the El Primero, an integrated automatic column-wheel mechanism beating at the high frequency of 36,000 vibrations/hour (5Hz) enabling it to reach chronometer-certified precision, accurate to one-tenth of a second. It is, to this day, the world’s most accurate series-made chronograph. With over 300 patents filed, 80 métiers come together to manufacture a Zenith watch and its components. So go ahead and invest in building a watch wardrobe that will get you into the league of serious watch collectors.

Zenith Chronomaster El Primero

A vision in black and white, this timepiece is a classic example of balanced proportions in dual-toned watches. A fine marriage of heritage and modern – the manufacture’s iconic El Primero 400 B high mechanical precision movement vibrating at 36,000VpH, encased within the generous 42mm case made of aluminium and ceramic – makes it a sure winner. The lightweight case in intense ceramicised black aluminium charms with its chiaroscuro three-counter dial and sporty, perforated rubber strap.

One of the finest among high-contrast timepieces, the silver sunray-patterned dial offers the perfect backdrop for the three sub-dials. With the central chronograph hand, the dial features a 12-hour counter at six o’clock, 30-minute counter at three o’clock, and small seconds at nine o’clock – along with the tachymeter scale and the date aperture at six o’clock. With a minimum power reserve 50 hours, this timepiece is sure to be a favourite for the sporty elegant gentleman who knows how to flaunt his style in many ways.

Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Grande Date Full Open 

There are jewelled watches and decorated watches. And then there are skeleton watches that have always stolen the spotlight in haute horlogerie with their bare charm. It is a trend that wows watch aficionados by revealing the intricately-executed, open-worked movements that showcase the true artistry and technical prowess of a brand. The new Chronomaster El Primero Grande Date Full Open in an imposing 45mm steel case offers a fascinating glimpse into the high-frequency skeletonised mechanism in the inimitable Zenith style. The self-winding skeleton chronograph, equipped with a column wheel and a silicon escapement, can be seen ticking through the crystal-clear sapphire dial. the dial features two transparent blue- and grey-tinted counters – the aesthetic signature of the original 1969 model – and shows the moon and sun phases on twin discs at six o’clock.

You can read the large date at two o’clock, while the hours and minutes are at the centre, and the small seconds sub-dial is at nine o’clock. Along with the clear passage of time is a clear display of time courtesy the rhodium-plated hour markers. The black calfskin leather strap with protective rubber lining and a stainless steel triple folding clasp are what seal the deal for this impressive futuristic timepiece.

Zenith Chronomaster Heritage 146

What’s not to love about this watch? It’s got a touch of nostalgia, and with its modest size, an alluring blue tone, and a vintage, classic case and dial design. It is the watch that will be your trusted ally for boardroom meetings or formal dinners. Offering the best of both worlds, in terms of vintage and modern, this watch is the perfect blend of form and function. Powered by an automatic El Primero column-wheel chronograph, El Primero 4069 calibre, and rendered in a 38mm steel case, the Heritage 146 reinterprets the vintage 1960s Zenith references.

The El Primero movement, which has 254 components, 35 jewels, and offers a 50-hour power reserve, is visible through the caseback. On the movement, you can see the decorations of the Geneva stripes, along with the blued screws, and perlage finishing. Zenith nails this one with a clean and clear aesthetic, owing to the uncluttered dial with just two metrics – the 30-minute counter at three o’clock and the small seconds at nine – set against the stunning sunburst texture in blue. Simplistic at heart just like the brand’s DNA, a rubber-lined racing leather strap completes the look of this vintage-inspired chronograph.

Zenith Chronomaster El Primero 

Finally a watch that meets the style quotient of avid cigar lovers and connoisseurs of the good life! Celebrating the passion and legendary status enjoyed by the time-maker and Cohiba, the Cuban brand of cigars, this special edition timepiece is a commemorative edition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cohiba. In an ode to their shared philosophy of excellence, sophistication and exclusivity, the limited edition of the legendary El Primero chronograph, with 50 watches in rose gold and 500 in stainless steel, is a true indulgence for discerning connoisseurs.

Featuring a dial in Havana brown, with emblematic Cohiba motifs, the opening at 11 o’clock reveals the heartbeat of the automatic El Primero chronograph movement. Sophisticated and sleek, the sapphire caseback, engraved with Cohiba’s 50th anniversary logo, reveals an oscillating weight adorned with Côtes de Genève.

Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Range Rover Velar

Zenith gives fans of the mean machine and those who lust after sheer class and sophistication a reason to rejoice. With the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Range Rover Velar, we witness a classy, subtle marriage of two legendary brands who exemplify the perfect balance between tradition and innovation. Celebrating their common birth year (1969) among other attributes such as charisma, technical refinement and remarkable performance, this avant-garde timepiece features a new and elegant brushed grey dial with copper-toned details.

The ceramised aluminum 42mm case features a transparent caseback in sapphire crystal that draws attention to a special satin-brushed oscillating weight and reveals the names of the two powerhouses – Zenith and Range Rover. The strap is in black rubber strap coated with black-toned perforated calfskin. Powered by the automatic El Primero 400B movement with a power reserve of up to 50 hours, the three essential sub-dials and the date window make it an ideal choice for a debonair gent.

Inspirations galore, and collaborations that exceed expectations, these Zenith Chronomaster watches are truly pieces that would enhance any personal collection.

Which one would you like to add to your collection? Do tell us in the comments section below.

Explore the entire Zenith Chronomaster range here