Zenith has introduced a celestial dimension to its most celebrated modern chronograph, the Chronomaster Sport. This new iteration swaps a traditional dial for a genuine slice of meteorite, bringing an element of the cosmos to a timepiece already lauded for its high-frequency precision. The Zenith Chronomaster Sport Meteorite merges the brand's deep-rooted expertise in chronometry with a material that has traveled across the universe, creating a compelling narrative of time on both a terrestrial and galactic scale. It represents a significant aesthetic evolution for a watch that has quickly become a benchmark in the competitive landscape of luxury sport chronographs.
The story of Zenith is intrinsically linked to the pursuit of precision, a journey that began in 1865 in the Swiss watchmaking town of Le Locle. Founder Georges Favre-Jacot established one of the first truly integrated watch manufactures, bringing all aspects of production under a single roof to ensure unparalleled quality control. This foundation of vertical integration paved the way for numerous innovations, culminating in the 1969 release of the El Primero calibre. It was the world’s first automatic, high-frequency chronograph movement, a technical marvel that continues to define the brand's identity. The modern Chronomaster Sport is the direct descendant of this pioneering spirit, carrying the legacy of the El Primero into the 21st century.
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The defining feature of this particular Chronomaster Sport is its dial, crafted from a fragment of an actual meteorite. This material began its existence millions of years ago, a piece of an asteroid core that journeyed through the vacuum of space before falling to Earth. Each sliver of this extraterrestrial iron-nickel alloy is unique, ensuring that no two watches are ever identical. The process of preparing the material for a watch dial is meticulous, involving careful cutting, treatment, and finishing to reveal the meteorite's inherent crystalline structure. This connection to the cosmos gives the watch a depth that transcends simple time-telling, making it a tangible link to the vastness of the universe.
Visually, the dial is captivating. Its surface is a tapestry of intersecting lines and geometric shapes known as the Widmanstätten pattern. This distinct texture is formed over millions of years as the molten asteroid core cools at an incredibly slow rate, a process impossible to replicate on Earth. The natural grey tones of the meteorite provide a complex and dynamic background that shifts with the light. The pattern is both random and ordered, a testament to the natural laws of metallurgy on a cosmic scale. This unique surface ensures that each owner possesses a piece that is truly one-of-a-kind, with its own individual galactic fingerprint.
Against this extraterrestrial backdrop, Zenith has placed its signature tri-color sub-dials, a design hallmark dating back to the A386 model from 1969. The layout features a 60-second counter at 3 o’clock in an anthracite grey, a 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock in a lighter grey, and the running small seconds at 9 o’clock in a classic silver tone. Each counter is finished with a fine circular azuré pattern, which adds texture and helps distinguish them from the meteorite's crystalline dial. This overlapping three-color arrangement provides a harmonious and instantly recognizable look that remains a cornerstone of the El Primero design language.
Readability is paramount in a performance-oriented chronograph, and Zenith has addressed this with precision. The applied hour markers are baton-style, faceted and rhodium-plated to catch the light from multiple angles. Both the markers and the matching rhodium-plated hands are generously coated with Super-LumiNova SLN C1, a high-grade phosphorescent material that provides a bright and lasting glow in low-light conditions. A subtle date window is neatly tucked into the dial at the 4:30 position, offering practical daily functionality without disrupting the overall symmetry of the chronograph layout.
Courtesy of Zenith
The dial is housed within a robustly engineered 41mm stainless steel case. The design follows the modern Chronomaster Sport silhouette, featuring a combination of satin-brushed surfaces on the case sides and lugs, contrasted with sharply polished bevels and edges. This interplay of finishes gives the watch a sophisticated yet athletic appearance. The classic pump-style pushers that operate the chronograph are a nod to vintage designs, yet they feel modern and provide satisfying tactile feedback. The case construction reflects the watch's dual identity as both a high-performance instrument and a piece of daily-wear luxury.
With a thickness of 13.6mm and a lug-to-lug measurement of 47mm, the case dimensions are contemporary and designed for comfortable wear on a wide range of wrist sizes. The proportions are balanced, ensuring the watch has a substantial presence without feeling overly cumbersome. The thoughtful ergonomics are evident in the way the case and integrated bracelet contour to the wrist. The watch is also rated for a water resistance of 10 ATM (approximately 100 meters), providing ample protection against the elements and making it suitable for swimming and other water-related activities, reinforcing its "sport" designation.
A key element of the Chronomaster Sport's design is its fixed black ceramic bezel. This material is chosen for its exceptional hardness and resistance to scratches and fading, ensuring the bezel remains pristine over years of use. Unlike a traditional tachymeter scale, this bezel is graduated with a 1/10th of a second scale. This unique feature works in direct conjunction with the movement's high-frequency capabilities, allowing the wearer to read elapsed time with incredible precision directly from the bezel as the central chronograph hand sweeps around the dial. The white engraved markings provide a sharp, high-contrast display for quick and accurate readings.
Courtesy of Zenith
At the heart of the watch beats the El Primero 3600, the latest evolution of Zenith's legendary automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre. This movement is the product of over five decades of continuous improvement and refinement. Comprised of 311 components, it operates at a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz). This high beat rate is crucial for its timekeeping accuracy and is the key to its signature chronograph function. The movement also features modern enhancements like a silicon escape wheel, which reduces friction and improves efficiency.
The high frequency of the El Primero 3600 enables its standout complication: a true 1/10th of a second chronograph. Most standard chronographs have a central seconds hand that completes one full rotation of the dial in 60 seconds. In the Chronomaster Sport, the central chronograph hand makes a complete rotation every 10 seconds. This six-fold increase in speed allows the hand to point to the 1/10th of a second markings on the bezel with unambiguous precision, offering a level of resolution rarely seen in mechanical watchmaking.
The chronograph functions are displayed in a clear and intuitive manner. As mentioned, the large central hand measures the 1/10th of a second increments. The 60-second counter at 3 o'clock tracks the passing seconds in a more traditional format, while the 60-minute counter at 6 o'clock accumulates the total elapsed minutes. The sub-dial at 9 o'clock is dedicated to the running small seconds for the regular time display. This configuration is both functional and visually balanced, upholding the historic El Primero layout.
Turning the watch over reveals a sapphire crystal exhibition caseback, offering an unobstructed view of the El Primero 3600 movement. The architecture is modern and clean, with an emphasis on technical aesthetics. Key components are clearly visible, including the blue column wheel, which ensures the smooth and precise actuation of the chronograph pushers, and the horizontal clutch mechanism. The openworked oscillating weight, shaped like the Zenith five-pointed star, is finished with a satin texture and efficiently winds the mainspring as the wearer moves.
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Beyond its impressive chronograph capabilities, the calibre is also a reliable timekeeper. It boasts a healthy power reserve of approximately 60 hours when fully wound, a significant improvement over earlier El Primero versions. This extended autonomy means the watch can be taken off for a couple of days without needing to be rewound. The inclusion of a stop-seconds mechanism allows the user to halt the running seconds hand when pulling out the crown, enabling precise time-setting down to the second.
The Chronomaster Sport Meteorite is fitted with a three-link integrated bracelet crafted from stainless steel. It features broad, satin-brushed outer links and a narrower, polished center link, creating a visual style that complements the finishing on the case. The bracelet is solid and well-constructed, tapering slightly towards a double-folding clasp that provides a secure fit. The clasp includes a micro-adjustment system, allowing for small changes to the fit without the need for tools.
Adding to its versatility, Zenith includes an additional strap with the watch. This strap is made from durable black rubber, giving the timepiece a more casual and overtly sporty look. It features a textured finish and is fitted with a stainless steel folding clasp that matches the one on the bracelet. The ability to easily switch between the robust steel bracelet and the flexible rubber strap allows the owner to adapt the watch for different environments, from a business meeting to a weekend adventure.
The overall aesthetic of the Chronomaster Sport Meteorite is one of sophisticated, monochromatic cool. The grey tones of the meteorite dial, the silver and anthracite sub-dials, the stainless steel case, and the black ceramic bezel all work together to create a cohesive and modern look. It is this combination of a high-tech, performance-driven design with a rare and ancient dial material that defines the watch's character. It is a piece that is simultaneously understated and incredibly detailed, rewarding close inspection with its cosmic texture.
Courtesy of Zenith
This model builds upon a strong foundation. The standard Zenith Chronomaster Sport was recognized at the 2021 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), the watch industry's most prestigious awards ceremony, where it won the prize for the best "Chronograph." This accolade served as an official endorsement of its technical excellence and compelling design. The introduction of the meteorite dial elevates this award-winning platform, adding a layer of rarity and unique beauty to an already proven formula.
Previously available only as a Japan-exclusive, the Zenith Chronomaster Sport Meteorite is now offered globally. With the reference number 03.3120.3600/76.M3100, the watch is priced at $17,500 USD. It is available for purchase exclusively through Zenith's own physical and online boutiques, as well as its network of authorized retailers around the world. The package includes both the stainless steel bracelet and the black rubber strap, offering two distinct styles right out of the box.
Case: Stainless steel with a black ceramic bezel. 41mm diameter, 13.6mm thickness, 47mm lug-to-lug. Water resistance of 10 ATM.
Movement: Automatic El Primero 3600 calibre. 36,000 VpH (5 Hz) frequency. 60-hour power reserve. 311 components, 35 jewels. Functions include hours, minutes, small seconds, date, and 1/10th of a second chronograph.
Dial: Grey meteorite with a unique Widmanstätten pattern. Rhodium-plated, faceted hands and hour markers with SuperLuminova SLN C1. Signature tri-color chronograph counters.
Strap: Integrated stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp. An additional black rubber strap is included.
Price: $17,500 USD
Reference Number: 03.3120.3600/76.M3100
Notes: The central chronograph hand makes one full rotation every 10 seconds, allowing for a true 1/10th of a second reading from the bezel. Each dial is unique due to the natural meteorite pattern.