Christmas chronograph

ZENITH PLAYS ON ITS strengths in these trying times - rolling out new variations of the automatic high-frequency chronograph that it's known for. And the notable ones have arrived just in time for Christmas, including one that recently won the Best Chronograph of the Year prize.

CHRONOMASTER SPORT

Named the year's best stopwatch on the wrist in early November at the annual Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, the watch industry's equivalent of the Oscars, this timepiece marks a new dawn for the quintessential Zenith sporty-chic chronograph.

Encased in stainless steel, the 41 millimetres wide watch is powered by the latest El Primero 3600 movement which measures time with an accuracy of 1/10th of a second. The El Primero calibre, the world's first automatic high-frequency chronograph movement, is still regarded as the first among equals in the world of chronographs 50 years after.

What really sets it apart from its predecessors is the ultra-readable 1/10th of a second display, etched directly on its black ceramic bezel - the only watch to boast such a display. The new chronograph comes in a black or white dial, on which is featured the tri-colour registers in blue, anthracite and light grey that are identified with El Primero. Price: S$14,500 (steel bracelet), S$13,800 (rubber strap with "Cordura" effect).

CHRONOMASTER ORIGINAL

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Finally, a worthy successor of the Zenith A386 which runs on the legendary El Primero chronograph movement. Till the Chronomaster Original came along, Zenith had produced renditions of the A386 in materials other than stainless steel. But, as the brand acknowledges, it's the steel re-edition that collectors have been waiting for.

Not only is the Chronomaster Original in steel, the chronograph at first glance looks almost identical to the A386. The 38 mm round bezel-less case with a raised domed crystal, the pump-style pushers for the chronograph, the faceted lugs and the mix of radial brushed and polished surfaces throughout - are indistinguishable from the A386. Yet, there are differences and a few subtle updates, the most important being the installation of the latest version of the El Primero movement, the El Primero 3600. This beats at a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour to offer 1/10th of a second indication. Price: S$12,400.

CHRONOMASTER ORIGINAL LADIES

Colours and diamonds transform the Chronomaster Original into timepieces for "women seeking a lavish chronograph or men who appreciate its flamboyance". The lugs of the women's model are expertly set with 56 brilliant white diamonds. Both versions of the Chronomaster Original Ladies are paired with sensual and soft calfskin leather straps in light blue or taupe with tone-on-tone stitching, matching the colours of the dials in multi-colored mother-of-pearl or taupe tri-colour.The dials are also set with 9 diamonds for the hour markers. Price: S$18,400