Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Revamped Zenith Chronomaster Open Collection (Live Pics & Price)
Combining the prowess of last-year's Chronomaster Sport with Zenith’s signature opened dials launched in 2003.
Last year, Zenith released the superb Chronomaster Sport and it quickly shot to the top of the favourites-list amongst many chronograph enthusiasts. The brilliantly styled watch combined the sporty look of the ceramic 1/10th of a second scale bezel, with the signature triple-coloured subdials and the high-frequency El Primero 3600 movement. Now, just about a year later, Zenith extends the family tree with the new Zenith Chronomaster Open, taking us back to the early 2000s and dropping that sporty-looking bezel in the process.
The new Zenith Chronomaster Open is essentially a Chronomaster Sport without the ceramic bezel and a hole in its dial. That’s the easiest way to put it, although there’s more to talk about obviously. It’s presented in a steel or gold cased version, both measuring 39.5mm in diameter (1.5mm less than the Sport). We still see the same overall architecture though, with pump-style chronograph pushers and a knurled crown. A sapphire crystal covers both the dial and movement.
The dial is what sets the Chronomaster Open apart from other Chronomaster models, even though it falls in line with the general design and incorporates a new take of the triple-coloured subdials. Taking direct inspiration from the 2003 Chronomaster Open, the dial is cut open to reveal the mechanical movement underneath. The 9 o’clock subdial is now made of translucent polymer, paired with circular openings over the escape wheel and balance. The rest of the dial retains the look of the Chronomaster Sport.
Powering the Chronomaster Open is Zenith’s in-house produced Calibre El Primero 3604, an adaptation of the Calibre 3600 found in the Chronomaster Sport. The changes include an open base plate and bridges allowing for a view of the high-frequency 5Hz escapement. For the rest, it is exactly the same, with a silicon escape wheel and anchor, a 60h power reserve and capable of measuring elapsed time down to 1/10th of a second.
The new Zenith Chronomaster Open in steel is worn on a stainless steel three-link bracelet with brushed outer links and polished centre link, with a folding clasp. The gold version is worn on a deep blue calfskin leather strap with a rose gold triple folding clasp. It retails for CHF 9,900 in steel or CHF 19,900 in gold, in line with the Chronomaster Sport variations that were introduced last year.
For more information, please visit Zenith-Watches.com.
