Introducing: The Zenith Chronomaster Sport Two-Tone And A New Skeleton Collection With An Updated Clasp

For 2026, Zenith celebrates five years of one of its defining modern watches. Since its 2021 debut, the Chronomaster Sport has pushed the El Primero automatic chronograph into a new era. Its contemporary, sporty design has also made it a perfect platform for experimentation. This year, Zenith leans into that potential with its most avant-garde Chronomaster Sport releases yet.

Leading the charge is a steel-and-rose-gold version with a mother-of-pearl dial, limited to 50 pieces. Its refined finish elevates the El Primero into chic luxury-sports territory. By contrast, the new Chronomaster Sport Skeleton collection puts mechanics front and center with smoky sapphire dials. Thanks to the 1/10th-second chronograph hand, watching the 5Hz caliber in motion already thrills. Seeing the balance spring and escape wheel in action makes it even more captivating.

A new Skeleton sub-collection

Four Skeleton models are joining the Chronomaster Sport lineup. Two come in stainless steel, offered with either a green ceramic bezel and monochrome gray sub-dials or a black ceramic bezel and classic tricolor registers. Each steel variant includes an additional rubber strap, color-matched to its bezel.

Zenith also introduces two precious-metal Skeleton references. One comes in 18K rose gold with a black ceramic bezel and a black rubber strap. The other is a 10-piece limited-edition version with a full-rose-gold bracelet and 52 baguette-cut diamonds set into the bezel. All Skeleton models omit the date, yet the two-tone mother-of-pearl version retains it at 4:30. Each watch’s 41mm case has a 100m water resistance rating.

Zenith Chronomaster Sport Two-Tone

Before digging deeper into the Skeleton models, let’s have a look at the new two-tone Chronomaster Sport with a soft gray mother-of-pearl dial. The shimmering natural material instantly changes the watch’s character, much like last year’s meteorite edition. Warm colors carry through to the sub-dials, including a pinkish 60-second counter that echoes the 18K rose gold bezel.

Against the stainless steel case band, the gold crown and pump pushers stand out with confidence. Gold-plated hands and markers filled with beige C1 Super-LumiNova continue the theme. The date window neatly sits between 4 and 5 o’clock. It’s a contentious placement due to the off-balance layout it creates, yet it remains a historic El Primero signature dating back to the 1969 reference A384.

El Primero

Zenith fits the watch with the automatic El Primero 3600 chronograph caliber, visible through the case back’s sapphire display. This movement’s high 36,000vph frequency and special gearing allow the central chronograph hand to complete a full rotation every 10 seconds. This delivers precise readings to 1/10th of a second. The skeletonized rotor winds bidirectionally and charges up to a 60-hour power reserve.

Due to the gold components, this two-tone case and bracelet feel slightly heavier than steel. The case remains wearable, though, with a 13.6mm thickness and a 46.8mm lug-to-lug. Of course, the mother-of-pearl dial steals the show. Its soft gray and pink tones beautifully complement the rose gold elements, and sunken sub-dials with concentric textures add depth against the dial’s iridescence.

Limited to 50 pieces, the Chronomaster Sport Two-Tone retails for €20,200 / US$20,100 / CHF 17,900 and includes an additional rubber strap.

Zenith Chronomaster Sport Skeleton

Next is a new sub-collection within the Chronomaster Sport range. “Skeleton” refers to the extensive openworking that reveals the movement from the dial side. A gradient sapphire dial transitions from black to clear, leaving the balance spring and escape wheel in full view. These components are usually hidden, even with the dial removed.

Zenith’s technicians carefully remove material while preserving the caliber’s structural integrity. This step is critical for a high-beat movement, in which added vibration places stress on load-bearing components. The additional work earns the movement a new name — El Primero 3600SK. As mentioned earlier, the two stainless steel versions come with either green or black ceramic bezels, but these references hide a special trick up the sleeve, which we’ll come to shortly.

Gold and bold

Zenith also expands the Skeleton range with an 18K rose gold model paired with a black ceramic bezel. The black rubber strap grounds the gold nicely. Sub-dials shift to muted gray tones, allowing gold elements to shine. In this configuration, the smoky dial works especially well, offering a subtle glimpse behind the curtain to the movement.

All Skeleton models feature visible screws near 10 and 4 o’clock. On steel and standard gold versions, this poses little issue. On the 10-piece limited edition, however, the screws appear more pronounced. Against diamond-set indexes and 52 baguette-cut bezel diamonds, the exposed steel screws disrupt the jewelry-focused aesthetic.

Pricing is set at €16,500 / US$16,700 / CHF 14,900 for the steel models, while the regular rose gold version costs €31,200 / US$31,500 / CHF 27,900. The diamond-set reference comes in at €111,400 / US$111,000 / CHF 99,000.

The new and improved Zenclasp

The smoky sapphire dial may steal the show, but the real upgrade comes when turning the wrist. The new stainless steel Skeleton models debut a revised clasp. Previously, opening the Chronomaster Sport bracelet’s clasp could be frustrating. The safety latch felt secure, but releasing the folding section often proved difficult.

Although a recessed notch existed for the safety lock, the main folding element lacked leverage. The usual instinctive motion used on similar clasps often failed here. More than once, my fingernail paid the price. Zenith solves this with its new patented folding Zenclasp. Rounded edges and improved articulation make releasing smooth and confident.

On-the-fly adjustment

Zenith also adds a micro-adjustment system. Lifting the underside of the clasp allows it to slide in 2.5mm increments. With five positions and a 10mm range of on-the-fly adjustment, the bracelet now avoids unsightly side holes. The result looks cleaner and feels more premium. Better still, the wearer can make adjustments without removing the watch. Micro-adjustable clasps are becoming common, but this execution feels especially thoughtful. The Zenclasp finally makes the Chronomaster Sport truly effortless to wear daily.

Final thoughts and specs

For now, the Zenclasp is exclusive to the stainless steel Chronomaster Sport Skeleton models. The polished clasp center continues the bracelet’s polished center links. Zenith plans a gradual rollout across the wider Chronomaster Sport range, including two-tone, gold, and titanium versions.

The good news is compatibility. The Zenclasp fits previous Chronomaster Sport references dating back to 2021. Owners looking to modernize their watches should speak with a Zenith boutique or authorized dealer. Pricing for conversion kits remains unconfirmed.

From this lineup, I’d choose the stainless steel Skeleton with the black bezel. That said, my top Zenith pick remains the classic white-dial Chronomaster Sport with tricolor registers, preferably updated with the new Zenclasp once it becomes widely available. More information on these new Zenith Chronomaster Sport models is available on the brand’s website here.

What’s your favorite release from Zenith’s announcement today? Let us know in the comments below.