Zach Brass
The regional version can be mixed bags. If it’s exclusive in your area and you have access to more limited and unusual watches, then that’s great. The trade-off is that all other regions and markets in the world are omitted. And when you’re excluded, when they’re rushing to slap the watch buddies to see if they’ll pick it up for you, it can be an absolute headache. Then again, some people like it when what they’re chasing plays hard. However, as it was previously a Zenith Chronomaster Sports Meteorite and steel metite sport, it is no longer a local concern as of today.
Before today, Metstone-dyed Chronomaster Sport was available worldwide, but it is a gem set 18k pink gold model and, of course, has a large price tag. Of course, stainless steel prices can be priced a little more democratically, and the in-house high-beat automatic chronographs from the met stone dial watches, as well as respected manufacturers, will not be “affordable.”
case
Externally speaking, if you’re already familiar with the more standard Chronomaster Sport Steel products, you may already know that there is a 41mm case, a 13.6mm thick and a 47mm lug toe case. Many of us have an attractive fate that swims on a chronograph, but it has a rating of 100 meters deep, and therefore can be technically safe to swim on the clock. Like most luxurious steel sports watches, the Chronomaster Sport metstone is abundantly polished on the front elements of the case, with the edges of the lug and sides of the case carving mirrors to enhance the contrast and elegant talent of the surface.
Dial
Framing the Meteorite dial gives it a 1/10th of the second scale and comes with a full ceramic bezel with a white inlay. Materials of natural origin, each gray dial has a distinct formula meticulously served in hand to best reveal its unique geometric patterns and structure. In subtle contrast to this surface, the Minor Colour Register of Zenith’s signatures is in the greyscale run of graduates that darken from left to right. It runs very well and is elegantly incorporated into a wider dial aesthetic, balancing Zenith’s signature. And if Zenith always gets the + mark, the window of the controversy softens due to the fact that it matches the dial perfectly.
strap
The table comes with two strap options. The first is, of course, a case-matching tapered bracelet, mixed, but the refined surface is much more emphasised than the case. The wide mirror polished center link is a shoulder link with two brushed plush shoulder link with thin polished bevels at the edges. This style of finish is extended to a folding clasp that holds the watch on the wrist.
The second option is a black rubber strap that is completely washed down into the case to create an integrated feel. It certainly curates a sportier vibe and a more casual aesthetic. Looking at it with the rubber strap option, it is rendered in black, which certainly has less metallic glow and will highlight the dial by moving your gaze (and onlookers’ gaze) away from the main attraction: met stone dial. The rubber strap is secured to the wrist via a steel folding buckle.
Movement
The dial is certainly handsome to look at, but Zenith’s in-house high-beat automatic El Primaro 3600 movement is not leaning forward. While all calibers use bridges to hold and stabilize components, the way the El Primero 3600 is designed allows you to see in person how the complex mechanisms work inside the workplace. From blued pole wheels to escapements, you can see everything in full.
Zenith’s clear caliber flex is 1/10 of the second twist that brings to the movement of the chronograph. It features a re-adjusted outer bezel scale that can interact with the hand of the central chronograph seconds that will revolutionize one complete revolution around the dial in 10 seconds instead of 60 seconds. Despite this speed and energy drain, this movement can boast a power reserve of 60 hours. This is extremely impressive without such a high-speed chronograph second hand.
verdict
As mentioned previously, it is hardly possible to call a price tag of 17,500 US$ (on the bracelet) affordable. But within the context of luxury, compared to other competitive brands that utilize metstone dials, it is an absolute steal in comparison. Large brands tend to pair the met stone dial with precious metal cases that contain Zenith. But brands offering steel variants like Zenith are far rarer. Aesthetically speaking, I think it runs brilliantly with a monochromatic feel, or at least cohesive, well-tuned color scheme. When it comes to Meteorite dial chronographs from established brands, this is a very difficult product.
Zenith Chronomaster Sport Met Stone Prices and Availability
The Zenith Chronomaster Sports Meteorite of Steel is now available worldwide. Price: 17,500 USD (on the bracelet)
Brand Zenith Model Chronomaster Sport Met Stone Reference 03.3120.3600/76.M3100 Case Dimensions 41mm(d)x 13.6mm
