Zenith’s new Chronomaster Solo Sport ditches the chronograph – and I love it: A Practical Look

Zenith has just launched the Chronomaster Solo Sport, a brand-new three-hander watch… no chronograph in sight.

That’s a first for Chronomaster model – the whole point of the range has always been chronographs built around the El Primero movement.

But not anymore – Zenith has stripped things back and the result is a watch built for everyday wearability, not precise timing.

I’ve had one on my wrist and I think it’s brilliant.

The case is 40mm, stainless steel, and it wears beautifully. Zenith’s new ‘ZENCLASP’ folding clasp is a big part of that. Introduced earlier in the year at Watches and Wonders, it features micro-adjustments on the fly, no tools needed, and ‘pops’ open when unlocked. It’s genuinely one of the best clasps I’ve used.

The design doesn’t copy anything else on the market either – it’s distinctly Zenith. That’s quite difficult for a sports-watch right now, where a lot of brands seems to be chasing the same look.

Inside is the El Primero 3620. It’s derived from the 3600 chronograph movement, but built for time-only use. It still runs at 5Hz, or 36,000 vibrations per hour.

That high-frequency beat has always been the heart of El Primero, and that’s no different here.

To highlight this, Zenith has done something special with the dial. It’s ceramic, with a repeated 45-degree Z pattern etched into the surface. Zenith says it’s meant to evoke the rhythm of the movement underneath. I think it looks really cool.

There’s a ceramic bezel as well, with unidirectional rotation. It adds a sporty edge without tipping the watch into full dive watch territory.

Power reserve sits at 60 hours. Water resistance is 20 ATM, so 200 metres, and that’s plenty for most people’s daily lives (and then some).

You get three dial colours: white, black, and brown. All three get date windows at 3 o’clock. There’s also a no-date black version for anyone who prefers a cleaner look.

After wearing them all, I’m genuinely torn between the white and brown versions.

As you can probably already tell, I’m a big fan. It takes everything the brand does well and makes it more wearable, simpler, and easier to live with day to day.

It’s also more affordable than a lot of Zenith’s chronograph output, which is no bad thing.

Prices start at $9800 / £8700 for the no-date black model. The three date versions, in white, black, and brown, are $10,900 / £9700 each.

It’s available now, from Zenith boutiques, online, and through authorised retailers worldwide.

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