If you’ve tuned into our podcast recently, you’ll know that we’ve been loving what Zenith is doing lately. This year they’ve already released a Triple Calendar version of the El Primero that caught our attention and now there’s this. Zenith has just announced the latest version of their Chronomaster Sport, available with a case and bracelet made entirely out of Grade 5 titanium. It’s a logical, sporty evolution. And while it isn’t a bargain by any means, it’s very competitive when you consider some alternatives.
Zenith kept the dimensions the same. It’s still 41mm in diameter with a case thickness of 13.8mm. People seem to have always loved this watch in terms of its proportions but to me it always looked a little too dressy. I think the use of titanium fixes this issue, while also cutting down on the watch’s weight significantly. According to Zenith, it’s about 105 grams and 30% lighter than the Chronomaster Sport versions in stainless steel. But I’m pretty sure that’s specifically the case if you’re wearing the watch on the rubber strap, which looks like a killer combo.
Under the hood lies the renowned El Primero 3600 chronograph caliber, boasting a high-frequency 5Hz beat rate and a generous 60-hour power reserve, showcased beautifully through a sapphire caseback. The titanium case also features a new “nickel-grey” sunburst dial by Zenith, incorporating various shades of grey throughout the array of tri-color subdials, adding a subtle yet distinctive touch to the watch. That’s also combined with a mix of polishing and satin-brushing along the case, keeping things interesting and far from boring. I’m loving the little touches of red throughout the dial and on the tips of a few of the hands.
Zenith Chronomaster Sport Titanium Specs
- Case Diameter: 41mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 46.2mm
- Case Thickness: 13.8mm
- Case Material: Grade 5 Titanium
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: El Primero 3600
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Bracelet: Grade 5 Titanium or Rubber
- Price: $11,300 – $11,800
While previous iterations of the El Primero (like the A384 revival) have been on my mind, this is now officially the El Primero I’m most interested in trying. The price is prohibitive but it’s still crazy to see that Zenith prices this just $500 higher, on bracelet, than the stainless steel version. It’s also less money than you’d spend on something like the new Speedmaster Moonwatch Calibre 321 (over $15k if you can snag it at retail). Impressive work, Zenith. Check out the brand’s site for more details.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.