Zenith brand, reputed for being the maker of the first automatic chronograph movement since January 1969, so far, has stood the test of time. The brand has logically been used in varying chronograph timepieces, from edgy and modern to original interpretations. Like many brands during the quartz crisis, Zenith also suffered a setback. Still, it bounced back in the 70s with enhanced movement performance and usage of newer and efficient materials. This year alone, the brand improved its collections, each paying tribute to the legendary caliber. It will look into some of the best Zenith watches you can buy in 2022.
1. Zenith Chronomaster Sport
Zenith Chronomaster Sport retains the general feel and looks of previous El Primero timepieces. Clear dial and signature overlapping chronograph and small second sub-dials with silver, grey and blue colors gave the watch sporty elements. The watch is powered by the Primero 3600 caliber, which uses contemporary and fewer components for enhanced efficiency. The second hand-powered by the movement’s 5Hz frequency, whizzes over the dial every ten seconds when activated; thus, using the entire 1/10th of seconds in every ten seconds. The manufacturing caliber comes loaded with a contemporary stainless steel 41mm case coupled with a ceramic black bezel. After the maiden launch of the Chronomaster Sport, Zenith rolled out an enhanced luxurious gold model. Yet, the steel and white dial Chronomaster Sport comes close to the novel El Primero A386 mode. The Chronomaster Sport is adorned with 35 jewels and 60 hours of power reserve, whether on a steel or rubber bracelet.
2. Zenith Chronomaster Revival A385
The Zenith Chronomaster Revival A385 is known as the vintage one. As homage to El Primero, Zenith produced a fitting Revival A385, the classically styled device as part of the brand’s trilogy launched in 1969. The Chronomaster Revival A385 was a reissue of the original A385. This model featured a tonneau or distinctly shaped barrel case. With a brown gradient finishing, the vintage proportions of 37mm and 12.6mm in diameter and height, the dial comes paired with white sub-dials. You can bet it is like the El Primero that has been in production since 1969. The timepiece features a screwed sapphire case back, rhodium-plated hands, and a smoked brown gradient dial. Its design also includes classic pump-style pushers and box sapphire crystal. The watch also features an in-house automatic winding machine capable of 50 hours of power reserve, even as the El Primero 400 caliber powers Zenith Chronomaster Revival A385 with 278 components.
3. Zenith Defy 21 Urban Jungle
With green tinges sprinkled everywhere, you must not easily dismiss that the Zenith Defy 21 Urban Jungle is an accomplished chronograph timepiece. If you are cut out for the all-green version, there are several other combinations of materials and colors for you. The Defy 21 Urban Jungle watch is a contemporary edgy-looking timepiece featuring an open-worked dial, El Primero 9004 caliber, in-house automatic winding with a star-shaped green rotor. The watch comes integrated with the regular El Primero movement series, though comprehensively re-designed into a twin-regulator high-performing chronograph movement with a secondary regulator operating at 50Hz frequency. It implies that the Defy 21 series can time events to 1/100th of a second as against the 1/10th of the Caliber El Primero 3600. With a 44mm diameter and height of 14.5mm, the timepiece also comes integrated with a micro-blasted green ceramic case and bezel, front and back sapphire crystal, and water resistance up to 100m.
4. Zenith Defy Xtreme
Zenith Defy Xtreme comes in a 45mm wide masculine and angular titanium case designed for the big wrists. Apart from its size, the timepiece features rugged, shrouded pushers, a large crown, a 12-sided ring underneath the bezel, a dark grey finish on the case, and a bracelet that makes it stand out from the crowd. The El Primero 9004 caliber powers the mechanics. It also comes with a slightly tinted sapphire dial showing the high-frequency chronograph movement that could be seen through the sapphire case back. Zenith Defy Xtreme titanium version comes with signature blue-grey and silver chronograph plus small second sub-dials. With central chronograph seconds accurate to 1/100th of a second, the timepiece can have 50 hours of power reserve and comes beautified with a titanium bracelet or rubber strap. Zenith viewed the Defy Extreme as the most futuristic and edgy view of the clock.
