Watches & Wonders 2026: Zenith Chronomaster Sport Skeleton

The first Chronomaster by Zenith was introduced in 1994. This marked the beginning of a series of mechanical chronographs designed to showcase the brand’s comprehensive expertise in short-time measurement. This expertise is inextricably linked with Zenith’s legendary El Primero movement.

The world’s first integrated, high-frequency, automatic chronograph calibre was introduced in 1969. One of the earliest models to feature this calibre was the stainless-steel Zenith A386. The 4,500 watches produced of this model until 1972 featured a distinctive tricolour dial design, setting them apart from the monochrome chronograph layouts that were common at the time. Today, alongside the essential El Primero movement, this remains a defining feature of many models in the Chronomaster collection.

The history of the Chronomaster collection

‘The Zenith Chronomaster collection, as we know it today, was officially introduced in 1994; however, its roots date back to 1969. At that time, Zenith presented the A386, regarded as the forerunner of today’s Chronomaster. In the decades that followed, Zenith continued to develop new sports chronographs, from the Zenith De Luca and Zenith Rainbow to other iconic models. Each one had its own unique design and technical features, which ultimately helped to shape the identity of the Chronomaster collection and led to its official launch in 1994,’ explains Romain Marietta, Head of Product Development at Zenith.

In 2021, Zenith introduced the Chronomaster Sport, equipped with the El Primero 3600 calibre, which was launched in 2019 and is capable of measuring time to a tenth of a second. Zenith set itself the ambitious goal of setting the new standard for chronographs with this model. Whether the company, which is part of the LVMH group, has achieved this aim is difficult to judge. However, the fact that a Chronomaster Sport was included in last year’s 160th anniversary celebrations is testament to the importance of the line to Zenith. This significance is now underscored by four new versions.

Chronomaster Sport Skeleton: a new Zenith quartet

The distinctly sport-oriented member of the Chronomaster collection now, for the first time, also allows a view of the movement from the front. Four versions are available.

Tinted dial offers a view of the movement

Thanks to its tinting – from black at the edge to fully transparent in the centre – the sapphire-crystal dial of the new Chronomaster Sport Skeleton models creates an almost dramatic view of the El Primero and its skeletonised architecture. As a clear homage to the 1969 original, the characteristic overlapping tricolour counters in grey, anthracite, and silver, or alternatively in blue, remain in place.

Excellent legibility is ensured by the applied, faceted hour markers, which, like the hands, are coated with Super-LumiNova SLN C1. The luminous material appears pure white in daylight and emits a green glow in the dark.

The skeletonised El Primero 3600SK

The new Chronomaster Sport Skeleton models are powered by a skeletonised version of the high-beat El Primero 3600SK movement. With a frequency of five hertz (36,000 vph), it enables the precise measurement and display of tenths of a second. This means that the central chronograph hand completes one full revolution in ten seconds, as opposed to once per minute in conventional chronographs.

The El Primero 3600SK can be admired not only through the tinted dial but also through the sapphire-crystal caseback. Visible are the blue-lacquered column wheel and the horizontal clutch architecture of the automatic movement.

The movement features a silicon escape wheel, which is visible from the front between 9 and 10 o’clock, as on the Zenith Chronomaster Open. This enhances the movement’s precision and longevity, and it also has a stop-seconds mechanism for precise time setting. The skeletonised rotor, engraved with the Zenith star, provides a power reserve of 60 hours.

Case variants: stainless steel, precious metal and gemstones

The new Chronomaster Sport Skeleton quartet offers a choice of four case variants. All measure 41 millimetres in diameter and are water-resistant to 10 bar.

The bezel with the 1/10-second scale on the stainless-steel versions is made of green or black ceramic with white markings. A third version is crafted from 18-carat rose gold and features matching indices, hands, and markings on a black ceramic bezel. The highlight model is the rose-gold version with 50 baguette-cut diamonds set on the bezel.

New Zenith folding clasp with micro-adjustment

Such watchmaking craftsmanship deserves to be securely fastened to the wrist. This is ensured by a newly developed folding clasp featuring a micro-adjustment system for enhanced wearing comfort. The bracelet can be adjusted without tools in 2-millimetre increments and directly on the wrist. In total, up to 10 millimetres of adjustment is possible.

Zenith invested three years in developing this new construction, consisting of 41 components. The new patented folding clasp was developed through research, fine-tuning, optimisation, and numerous wear simulations, and will gradually be introduced across further references in the future. For the time being, it secures the new Chronomaster Sport Skeleton stainless-steel models. Combined with a metal or an additional, color-coordinated rubber strap.

The unlimited rose-gold version comes with a black rubber strap and rose-gold folding clasp, while the diamond-set version also offers a rose-gold bracelet. In principle, all Chronomaster Sport bracelets can be retrofitted with the new folding clasp.

Price & availability

The four Chronomaster Sport Skeleton watches are available in Zenith boutiques, online, and through authorised retailers worldwide. The stainless-steel references are priced at 16,500 euros each. The recommended retail price for the unlimited rose-gold version is 31,200 euros, while the rose-gold variant with 50 diamonds – limited to ten pieces – is priced at 111,400 euros.

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