Zenith Chronomaster Open Owner Review : Hypnotic, retro and iconic

To complete my collection, I was looking for a sporty-chic chronograph. My choice fell on this Zenith Chronomaster Open. The first version of this model was released in the 2000s. It was the first chronograph with a partially open dial, allowing a view of the beating heart of the movement. This movement is the in-house caliber “El Primero 3604.” It’s a reworked and skeletonized version of the famous “El Primero” movement that powered the first automatic, high-frequency chronograph in history in 1969. The skeletonization and the use of open bridges allow you to admire the balance wheel and the beautiful purple escape wheel with the Zenith star, which beat at a high frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour). This allows for both smoother movement of the running seconds hand and enables the chronograph hand to display 1/10th of a second (it completes one revolution every 10 seconds). It should also be noted that the anchor and escape wheel are made of silicon, which eliminates the need for lubrication. As this is a 1/10th-of-a-second chronograph, the distribution of units on the subdials differs from the usual layout. With its red tip and star-shaped counterweight, the central chronograph hand completes one revolution every 10 seconds, allowing for the calculation of tenths of a second using a graduated scale on the flange. At 3 o'clock, the dark blue subdial displays 60 seconds, and at 6 o'clock, the gray subdial displays 60 minutes. These colors are reminiscent of the brand's iconic models from the 1970s. The exception is the running seconds subdial at 9 o'clock, which is transparent to allow a view of the movement. The baton hands, as well as the applied and faceted hour markers, are coated with Super-LumiNova®. The case, alternating between mirror polish and brushed finishes, boasts beautifully harmonious curves. The pyramid-shaped bezel is mirror polished, and the sapphire crystal is domed. The steel bracelet has three links. The center link is mirror polished, while the outer links are brushed. The clasp is a three-blade folding clasp. In terms of wearability, this watch is very comfortable to wear thanks to its modest 39.5 mm diameter. I appreciate being able to see its heart beating and feel it constantly moving. Furthermore, turning it over reveals the sapphire crystal case back and the openworked balance wheel with the Zenith star, allowing you to admire the entire skeletonized movement—a true gem. I also enjoy starting the chronograph to 1/10th of a second, a rare complication. As for drawbacks, it's difficult to find any. I would say the price is a bit high, the lack of a date display, the fact that the mirror polish of the bracelet is unforgivable in terms of scratches, and the lack of micro-adjustments, but these are really minor details. Finally, my opinion on the Zenith brand. Founded in 1865 in Le Locle, the manufacture is the first in watchmaking history where all stages of watch production are carried out in one place. It was also the first to offer tours to the public. I had the opportunity to participate, and it was a very enriching experience. It's not just a simple tour of the premises. You can tell that real effort has gone into making the visit interesting for the public. Like in a museum, there are numerous explanatory panels as well as iconic models on display. Furthermore, we were able to visit the famous attic where Charles Vermot had hidden all the machinery—a powerful and very moving story. During the quartz crisis of the 1970s, the company was bought by Americans who decided to destroy all the old machines and switch entirely to quartz. But Charles Vermot had a premonition that this was a grave mistake. One night, he decided to hide all the machines in the attic, taking care to label them. It wasn't until 1982, after Ebel and Rolex asked Zenith for permission to use the El Primero movement in some of their models, that Charles Vermot revealed his secret. Thanks to him, mechanical production was able to resume as before. Specs: Diameter: 39.5 mm Thickness: 13.1 mm Power Reserve: 60 hours Year: 2024 Ref: 03.3300.3604/21.M3300 Water Resistance: 10 ATM Caliber: El Primero 3604