Zenith

The Chronomaster Open unites in a spectacular fashion the most rigorous watchmaking tradition with bold contemporary design. This ZENITH model uncovers the very essence of time and reveals, in the openings on its dial, the 36,000 vibrations of its movement: the legendary El Primero. The aperture invites interest as much by the magic it emanates as by the curiosity it inspires. But make no mistake: the Chronomaster Open is first and foremost an example of technological prowess, a timepiece that is 100% technical and 100% passion.

The Chronomaster Open model leaves no-one indifferent. The open dial – a ZENITH creation – lets one see into the perfectly synchronized pulsations and the magic of the mechanism in what is today unanimously considered as the “best serial movement in the world” for its performance and its chronometric reliability. Its secret lies in its number of vibrations, which is 25% higher than in other movements on the market. Whereas other timepieces make 8 vibrations per second, the El Primero caliber makes 10 in the same time. Over and above the aesthetic success of this open-heart operation – the Open concept is the realization of technical prowess: to make the regulating organ visible, it has been moved to 10 o’clock, on the edge of the movement.

The great watchmaking tradition
Everything here evokes the great tradition of watchmaking: a column-wheel chronograph mechanism; a power reserve indicator; a rhodium-plated plate, circular-graining and chamfered bridges; strokes drawn on the hammers, levers and conveyors; oscillating weight with “Côtes de Genève” guilloché work; revelation of the ZENITH star through skeleton work and tachometric scale on the flanges that harks back to the chronographs used in the first automobile races. One can only admire the attention to detail.

Aesthetic daring
The Chronomaster Open displays an avant-garde design with highly finished features. This aspect is important in the choice of a watch, one of the only pieces of jewelry worn by men, an accessory that identifies and highlights his personality. ZENITH communicates the image of a highly technical brand that is intended for connoisseurs of high-precision watchmaking.


Variations
Using the design codes of the past to interpret contemporary models, the Chronomaster Open is based on a century and a half of watchmaking expertise. The Open model exists in four different versions: a silver or black sun-burst dial in a steel case or silver sun-burst dial in an 18-carat rose gold case or in a rose gold and steel case.

The markers and the three hands for the hours, minutes and small seconds are faceted, rhodium-plated, and hand-set. The central hand of the chronograph, the hand for the 30-minute counter and for the power reserve have a blued finish. The curve of the hands that decorate the dial is executed with precise handwork. The Chronomaster Open model belongs to ZENITH’S “Iconic” family.



EL PRIMERO CHRONOMASTER OPEN POWER RESERVE

• The emblematic feature of the OPEN model is the revealing of the heart of the legendary EL PRIMERO movement
• Automatic chronograph with column wheel and power reserve indicator
• Movement with 36,000 vibrations/hour, developed and manufactured in-house for over 40 years



Technical data
Movement
El Primero 4021P, Automatic
Caliber: 13 1/4 ``` (Diameter: 30 mm)
Height: 7.85 mm
Parts: 248
Jewels: 39
Frequency: 36,000 V/h – (5 Hz)
Power reserve: approximately 50h

· Regulator assembly with fine adjustment
· Central rotor on ball bearings
· Automatic winding in both directions
· Rapid date reset
· Chronograph function
· Chronograph control center via column wheel

Decoration:
· Rhodium-plated platinum
· “Côtes de Genève” or circular graining and chamfering on the bridges
· Strokes drawn on the hammers, levers and conveyors

Oscillating weight:
Metal oscillating weight with guilloché work in a “Côtes de Genève” motif and revelation of the ZENITH star through skeleton work

Functions
· Central hours and minutes
· Small seconds at 9 o’clock
· Second chronograph counter in the center
· 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock
· Power-reserve indicator in the center

Case
Diameter: 42 mm
Crystal: Sapphire glass treated with anti-reflection on both sides
Case back: Transparent sapphire glass
Water resistance: 10 ATM / 100 meters

Available models
Available in steel, 18-carat two-toned or rose gold with silver or black sun-burst dial and a brown or black alligator-skin strap










This message has been edited by Kong on 2011-01-24 07:05:17

...but that dial has a hole in it. Big one, too.

here we go again with the hole-y Zeniths....

It looks complex, intricate, high-tech, very much a watch geek's watch. An interesting sports rendition of the Open movement. Previous ChronoMaster Open were more dressy.

I miss the gold RDM hand and the shiny RDM scale of the previous version. The minutes subidal is too large and too empty. Not sure why they went that route. That forced them to move the RDM scale off-center. I'd prefer the screws to be a little smaller.

I'm glad they kept this movement and didn't get rid of it in Dufour's anti-Nataf frenzy.

on the dial side, I agree with Lou here. A true watch geek should know what's inside the watch, either by removing the case back or getting someone to remove it :P.

I guess I'm a bit too old-fashioned ... even prefer my tourbillons (not a complication I much care for, but if offered one for free ... ) Patek Philippe style, that is with no indication on the dial side of what lies within.

I know it is not every one's tastes but I have always like the open models.  It has a very rich look and became iconically zenith over that past few years.   I am glad Dufour has kept at least one model with the the open in the series because a lot of people that got to know the brand in the US this past decade know this to be Zenith

I used to own a chronomaster xxt open but sold it off a few years ago because the size was just a little bit too big for me as a classic watch.  I think the new 42mm is a cleaner look with a sporty touch but still classic enought to wear everyday and perhaps keep longer than a few years.

Im excited to see these in the flesh in the next few months

 

j