Sunday Morning Showdown: Zenith Chronomaster Sport Vs. Grand Seiko Tentagraph
Sunday morning! Time for a cup of coffee and another Sunday Morning Showdown. This week, Mike and Jorg go head-to-head in a battle of the titanium high-beat chronographs. Mike’s pick this week is the titanium Grand Seiko Tentagraph. The first blue dial model was released in 2023 and got a follow-up this year. However, the new brutalist Tokyo Lion model somewhat overshadowed this new white dial model. So, it’s time to spotlight the “original” Tentagraph. It goes against the Zenith Chronomaster Sport Titanium, unveiled early last year. This one quickly became Jorg’s favorite Chronomaster Sport, and it only makes sense that it is his pick in this battle of the lightweight high-beat chronographs.
Finding titanium chronographs within today’s competitive field is not easy. Within the €10k-€15k price range, there is not an abundance of options. With a price tag of €15,000, the two Grand Seiko Tentagraphs are at the top half of that price bracket. The Chronomaster Sport in titanium is slightly more affordable at €12,500. It makes them the perfect match-up for today’s showdown. Both chronographs feature high-beat calibers, are made of lightweight titanium, and look stunning. Over to Mike and Jorg to explain why their pick is the better of the two.
Last week on Sunday Morning Showdown…
Before we do, let’s quickly look back at last week’s results. In last Sunday’s battle, the new mechanical Casio Edifice EFK-100 took on the popular Citizen Tsuyosa series. Casio’s new mechanical endeavour ended up losing by a respectable margin. The Edifice got 38% of the votes versus 62% of the votes going to the Citizen Tsuyosa. A quick scan of the comments showed two issues people have with the Casio. The first is the lack of an in-house caliber for this new mechanical line of watches. Secondly, the name Edifice and the size of that designation on the dial are a dealbreaker for quite a few people. It resulted in a clear victory for Citizens’ Tsuyosa. Let’s find out if today’s match-up shows similar results. Over to Mike and Jorg to make their cases.
Jorg: Zenith Chronomaster Sport
Choosing between today’s contenders is an easy one for me. My love for Zenith is well-documented on Fratello. On top of that, the titanium Chronomaster Sport is one of my favorite releases of 2024. I already liked it when it was first revealed, but once I had a chance to go hands-on with it, the titanium version completely charmed me. It’s a watch that quickly reached the top of my favorite current Zenith watches. Let me explain how that happened.
When the titanium Chronomaster Sport was first revealed, I was a fan of the monochromatic aesthetic. Daan explained in his introduction article that the Zenith Chronomaster Sport Titanium was released to celebrate Zenith’s partnership with the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) championship. It’s a detail that I almost always forget. And I am a big tennis fan, so why that detail doesn’t stick with me remains a mystery. But then again, it’s a detail that doesn’t affect how I feel about the watch, merely a testament to me getting older.
The titanium Chronomaster Sport has quite a few tricks up its sleeve
As I explained in my review, the story is nice, but I fell head over heels for the looks. The watch immediately became my favorite Chronomaster Sport in the brand’s line-up. With the steel-bezel models I wrote about, the rose gold version with the black dial, and the regular black dial version, the brand has already released quite a few models that I loved. Add the completely bonkers Chronomaster Sport Boutique Edition in rose gold with its meteorite dial and gem-set bezel, and you end up with a remarkable quintet of models that show the great diversity of the Chronomaster Sport.
But what made the titanium version stand out? Besides the brilliant monochromatic look, the watch had quite a few subtle tricks up its sleeve that brought a smile to my face. Let’s review some of the specs and the details to get an idea. It starts with the low weight of this titanium version. It weighs only 105 grams. That is 30% lighter than the 148 grams of its stainless steel peers. While that is not ridiculously light, it did mess with my perception. While I am part of the group that prefers the heft of steel. But once I got used to the lightweight Chronomaster Sport, it became one of its best trades. The watch is a joy to wear thanks to its appearance, low weight, and perfect dimensions.
The perfect combination of materials
The watch features a 40mm Grade 5 titanium case that’s 13.6mm thick and 46.8mm from lug to lug. It comes on both a black rubber strap or a Grade 5 titanium bracelet. If you’re in the market for this watch, get it on the bracelet. Not only does it make for a stunner in terms of looks, but the comfort of that rattly titanium bracelet is brilliant. Speaking of the color, the darker gray hue of titanium works miracles for the watch. It works well, especially with the predominantly brushed finish of the case and bracelet.
The nickel-tone sunburst dial with anthracite, light gray, and silver sub-dials adds tremendously to the magic. We all know that Grand Seiko does dials almost like no other brand. But in my opinion, the two Tentagraph models cannot beat the combination of the Grade 5 titanium and the nickel-tone of the Zenith. The dial is wonderful as it changes from gray in studio light to a beautiful, warm tone in natural light. Another detail I adore are the faceted rhodium-plated hands and indexes with a black lacquer filling. They feature an additional application of white Super-LumiNova for nighttime readability.
Vivid hints of color, such as bright red elements, finish the look in style. I love that the watch’s presence has layers. It all starts with a monochromatic presence, but once you zoom in, all these intricate details unveil themselves to you. It’s a visual adventure that I greatly appreciate and shows the Zenith team’s keen eye for design.
The high-beat Zenith El Primero 3600 caliber
Inside the case, you will find the column wheel El Primero 3600 caliber. The central chronograph hand makes a full lap of the dial in 10 seconds, which is spectacular. Not only does it allow you to time things accurately to 1/10th of a second, but it also adds a visual element that is fun to play with.
The El Primero legacy is legendary, and this modern version of the classic caliber is a joy to behold. It operates at 36,000vph, has a 60-hour power reserve, and features a skeletonized rotor, allowing you to see the classic architecture in all its glory.
Would I rate it higher than Grand Seiko’s modern caliber 9SC5? Depends on what you’re looking for. The Grand Seiko caliber is the more modern caliber. But I find greater romance in the El Primero’s lineage, which plays a huge part in my love for Zenith.
Add the far better looks, the friendlier overall dimensions—the Tentagraph is just too big, if you ask me—that result in greater wearability, and the friendlier price tag, and this week’s pick is a no-brainer for me. I’d pick the Zenith Chronomaster Sport Titanium 10 out of 10 times. But let us know why you would not make that same choice, Mike.
Mike: Grand Seiko Tentagraph
It’s nice to support a Grand Seiko chronograph in a Sunday Morning Showdown against my longtime rival, Jorg. I say that because Grand Seiko is probably best known for its non-complicated dress watches. Yet, here we are with the Tentagraph, a thoroughly modern chronograph with a hi-beat automatic movement. The 36,000vph frequency makes it the perfect match for the Zenith Chronomaster Sport.
An elegant watch design
Previous Grand Seiko chronographs, including the Sport Collection Spring Drive model, have been notable for their striking appearance. Large pushers, offset dials, and a flurry of complications defined several of these pieces. With the Tentagraph, however, the brand has attempted to create a traditional chronograph. The watch has a high-intensity titanium case with a large 43.2mm diameter. The SLGC007, a great match to the Zenith, comes on a three-row bracelet with more detail than its Swiss counterpart. Returning to the case, the profile has strong chamfers and a mixture of brushed and polished surfaces.
A dial that turns heads
The Tentagraph has a silvery frost-blue dial with an impressive texture. Once again, Mt. Iwate is used as the inspiration. This time, the dial color and texture are meant to evoke the snow-capped volcano. Regardless of the story, it’s simply pretty. Aside from the background, the watch has a design similar to the Zenith’s. The four-thirty date window location and external tachymeter bezel are good examples. Functionally, though, the Grand Seiko offers more traditional displays. Running seconds, a 12-hour totalizer, and a 30-minute counter appear within black subdials.
A beautiful modern movement
When the Tentagraph debuted in 2023, it brought a new caliber. The 9SA5, in addition to its high frequency, is impressively accurate. With a tested daily tolerance of +5 to -3 seconds over 20 days, these are chronometer levels of accuracy. Importantly, it also has 72 hours of power reserve. The 47 jewel movement is on display via a screw-in display back, and it’s lovely to behold. A skeletonized rotor, a column wheel, and attractive bridgework are all visible.
Which titanium chronograph will you choose?
At €15,000, the Tentagraph is €2,500 more than its Zenith counterpart. That’s not insignificant, but Grand Seiko offers an arguably more modern caliber with impressive specs. Then again, it’s also larger and thicker. So, when it comes down to choosing a lightweight heavyweight, which watch would you rather have on your wrist? Cast your vote and let us know why you chose the way you did.
