Exploring New Territory With The Zenith Chronomaster Sport Meteorite
If one model in the Zenith collection shows the great diversity of the brand’s creative explorations, it’s the Chronomaster Sport. Introduced in 2021, the popular chronograph has quickly become one of the brand’s great successes. Additionally, the design team has used the Chronomaster Sport as a thankful canvas for exploring a wide variety of creative ideas. In the brand’s 160th anniversary year, we were already treated to a bright blue ceramic model during Watches and Wonders. For its newest Chronomaster Sport, the creative team at Zenith introduces a stainless steel version of the Chronomaster Sport with a beautiful meteorite dial. I had a chance to wear the watch for a few days and learn more.
A great way to showcase the creativity of the Zenith design team is to highlight some of my personal Chronomaster Sport favorites. My top pick is the Chronomaster Sport Titanium, released last year. Other impressive models include the rose gold version with the black dial, the special tri-color Boutique Edition, the steel bezel version with the pink dial for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and the unique gem-set 18K rose gold version with a meteorite dial. The last version is directly related to the watch in this review since both feature meteorite dials. However, while the 18K rose gold version is wildly extravagant, the new stainless steel model offers a striking example that a meteorite dial can be sophisticated without being over-the-top.
The details of the new Zenith Chronomaster Sport Meteorite
It’s a fairly simple conclusion to what is essentially a straightforward dial variant of the Chronomaster Sport. But sometimes, creating an impact is that simple. Let’s look at some details to start with.
The new Zenith Chronomaster Sport has a 40-mm stainless steel case that is 13.6mm thick, just under a 47mm lug-to-lug span, and a depth rating of 100 meters. The case is matched with a fixed black ceramic bezel that holds the 1/10th of a second scale. The white-filled engraved markers contrast nicely with the bezel, and the 1/10th of a second text hints at the special chronograph movement that powers the watch.
But the big story of this release is the wonderful meteorite dial. The special dial is accompanied by three sub-dials, going from white to light gray to dark gray. These colors perfectly match the dial’s tone, creating a nice monochromatic presence. The upper part of the applied and faceted markers is filled with black lacquer. The inner short sides also feature white Super-LumiNova so that you can read the time in the dark.
An overall monochromatic presence with plenty of nice details
The same color scheme continues on the hands, which are also filled with black lacquer and white Super-LumiNova. As with all El Primero-powered watches, the date window is neatly tucked between the markers at 4 and 5 o’clock. A small hint of color comes in the form of the red tip of the central chronograph hand. The small hands making the rounds on the chronograph counters at 3 and 6 o’clock also feature red details. Lastly, the applied Zenith star and black printed text on the upper half finish the dial in style.
The watch comes fitted with the familiar three-link Oyster-style bracelet with a fold-over clasp and safety lock. As we know from other Chronomaster Sport models, the bracelet features polished center links and brushed outer links.
Overall, the watch’s monochromatic presence with the little hints of red reminds me of the Chronomaster Sport Titanium. If you put them together, they make for a perfect set of two Chronomaster Sport executed differently but maintaining the unmistakable charm. The big difference is obviously the dial. This new meteorite dial is beautifully detailed and immediately draws your attention.
The Zenith El Primero 3600 caliber
If you turn the watch around, you are greeted by the Zenith El Primero 3600 caliber. This high-beat automatic movement operates at a 36,000vph (5Hz) frequency and provides 60 hours of power reserve.
The most impressive feature of this in-house chronograph caliber is watching the central chronograph hand traveling a full cycle in ten seconds. It allows you to calculate the elapsed time to 1/10th of a second on the black ceramic bezel. This extraordinary feature primarily serves as a semi-party trick, but the technical achievement making this possible is nothing short of impressive.
Wearing the Zenith Chronomaster Sport Meteorite
This is no different if you have ever worn a Zenith Chronomaster Sport and liked it. The sports chronograph sits comfortably on my wrist, making it easy to wear. The size and proportions match my 18.5cm wrist flawlessly, making every hands-on experience a fun one.
What sets this version of the watch apart for me is its combination of an overall monochromatic presence with an incredible level of detail once you start zooming in. This continuous play between greater perspective and intricate details makes this Meteorite model a wonderful addition to the line-up.
All in all, it is safe to say that the Zenith Chronomaster Sport has shaken the initial cloak of Daytona design inspiration. This is in large part due to the different versions we have seen coming out of the Zenith design studio. The brand’s sports chronograph shows its great diversity through the different executions we have seen, from the extravagant blue ceramic and gem-set rose gold models to the more modest Chronomaster Sport Titanium.
They all have a certain charm that cements the Chronomaster Sport as one of my favorite sport chronographs. How does this new Chronomaster Sport Meteorite fit into that list of different models? I must admit that I went into this review with doubts because I am generally not the biggest fan of meteorite dials. But I came out loving this new version, which is available with a price tag of €18,300. As a result, it is one of my favorite versions right after the Titanium model. I could see myself owning both as the perfect Zenith Chronomaster Sport models.
