Editor’s note: Like you, we are also excited for the Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties. Before we get to dive deep into them, here’s our preview & Gut Reaction Review (Grr…) of the new Zenith Chronomaster Open Collection. For our detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here. This is NOT a sponsored post.
The New Zenith Chronomaster Open Collection In A Nutshell
Since 2003, open heart watches have been showcasing to the world the mechanical wonders of the famed El Primero movement. So while these are nothing new for the brand, the Zenith Chronomaster Open Collection still manages to showcases a beauty that’s never stales.
2021’s new and improved El Primero 3600 that boasted of a 1/10th of a second chronograph function is a technical marvel in its own rights, and the brand’s willingness to display it proud and center makes sense. Frankly, one of the lures of buying a Zenith watch is the El Primero architecture and the more of it is on display, the better. Skeletonised watches can be messy and hard to read, but thanks to the open-heart aperture, one gets the best of both worlds: enough legibility to not need glasses, and enough movement real-estate to warrant a buy. The new Zenith Chronomaster Open Collection is one the better offerings in recent years.
Three new versions are released: ref. 03.3300.3604/21.M3300 with a matte black dial with two different-coloured counters & a translucent polymer counter; ref. 03.3300.3604/69.M3300 with a matte silver base and the same counter configuration as above; and the ref. 18.3300.3604/69.C922 again with a silver dial but an 18-ct Rose gold case instead of the stainless steel offerings of the above two.
Basic Specs – Zenith Chronomaster Open Collection
All the three models of new Zenith Chronomaster Open Collection feature a 100m water-resistant 39.5mm diameter case that houses the El Primero 3604 automatic with a column-wheel chronograph that is able to measure and display 1/10th of a second. The movement features a silicon escape-wheel, a silicon lever and stop-seconds functionality, beats at the higher frequency of 36,000 VpH (5Hz), and provides a 60-hour power reserve. The movement also showcases a new star-shaped oscillating weight with satined finishings.
Retailing for 9’900 CHF (or 19’900 CHF for the gold model), the non-limited new Zenith Chronomaster Open Collection is announced as part of the Watches & Wonders 2022 March 30 to April 5 (both online and at the Salon).
It’s good news for those who love the iconic tri-colour dial configuration that debuted with the iconic A386 in 1969, for those with slimmer wrists considering it’s now available in a smaller diameter of 39.5mm instead of the previous 42mm — thanks to the slimmer lugs — and for those who would simply like to wear their watch’s heart on their sleeves.
Quotable
“For Zenith, “Master of Chronographs” is a testament to the manufacture’s illustrious past and its countless achievements that contributed to the advancement of mechanical chronographs for over 50 years. In particular, it highlights Zenith’s commitment to the pursuit of perpetual innovation when it comes to watchmaking’s most complex and sought-after complications”.
Press release
To find out more about the new Zenith Chronomaster Open Collection and their other watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise stated are courtesy are ©Zenith. Make sure to check out our reviews of other Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties here.
