n auction that brings together the watchmaking industry for a noble cause, Only Watch was established in 2005 to raise funds for research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The concept is simple: participating brands create and offer a unique piece to be sold at auction with all proceeds benefitting the cause. Now in its 10th edition, the biennial Only Watch auction has raised nearly CHF 100,000,000 for research on neuromuscular diseases. Zenith is humbled to have been one of the earliest supporters of Only Watch, contributing unique pieces since the very first edition of the auction. For Only Watch 2023, Zenith is offering not one unique piece, but an entire box set comprising unique iterations of its most sought-after models: the Chronomaster Sport.

The culmination of over 50 years of the El Primero automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre and the many iconic references that were equipped with it, the Chronomaster Sport is inherently Zenith. Winner of the GPHG 2021 “Chronograph” prize, the Chronomaster Sport has quickly become one of the Manufacture’s most highly coveted models. For this year’s auction, Zenith has reproduced the Chronomaster Sport in steel in four unique versions, which take on the official thematic colours of the Only Watch 2023 auction. The red and yellow ceramic bezels mark the first time that such tones have been used on the bezel of the Chronomaster Sport, while the blue and green versions complete the spectrum of bright hues that have never been so prominently featured on the modern sporty El Primero chronograph model until now.

Steeped in Zenith’s tradition of making exceptional, standard-setting automatic chronographs, the Chronomaster Sport pushes the boundaries of high-frequency precision. It features a 1/10th of a second chronograph function, with the elapsed time graduated over 10 seconds on the bezel. Crafted in a sleek and robust steel case measuring 41 mm wide with pump-style pushers, the four unique models for Only Watch 2023 feature brightly coloured ceramic bezels, with matching lacquered dials in blue, red, green and yellow. Many of these ceramic colours have never previously featured on Zenith watches, making the box set even more exceptional. The dials forego the typical El Primero tricolour configuration, taking on monochromatic tones that are perfectly matched to their respective ceramic bezels.

The Chronomaster Sport line is equipped with the newest version of the venerable El Primero 3600 movement. With its high frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 VpH), it can precisely offer a 1/10th of second function that’s easily readable, displayed directly on the bezel as well as the dial. Its autonomy has also been rendered more efficient, with an extended power reserve of 60 hours. Visible through the sapphire display back, the new architecture is strikingly evident, revealing a blue column wheel and open rotor marked with the five-pointed Zenith star. Each case back is engraved with the inscription “Unique Piece”.

Completing the playful chromatics and as the finishing touch to match the official colours of Only Watch 2023, the Chronomaster Sport Only Watch 2023 set comes in a special leather box containing four individual leather cases for each watch matching the colour of the bezel and dial.

But that’s not all. With the purchase of the unique Only Watch 2023 box set, Zenith is offering an exclusive experience: an all-inclusive one-week stay at the Mouratoglou Academy of friend of the brand and acclaimed tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou, which will notably feature a tennis coaching session with the celebrated coach in the south of France.

On Zenith’s contribution to Only Watch 2023, CEO Julien Tornare shared “Zenith is humbled and honoured to play a small role in making a difference for all those affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy. For the 10th edition of Only Watch, we wanted to do something big and unexpected. So, we took our most successful and recognizable modern El Primero chronograph, the Chronomaster Sport, and gave it striking colours that are truly unprecedented in the Chronomaster line. After all, colours are symbols of hope and light, and that’s precisely what Only Watch brings. I would also like to thank our dear friend Patrick Mouratoglou for joining us in this cause and offering a unique and memorable experience to the buyer of this special set.”

The Chronomaster Sport Only Watch 2023 unique box set will be auctioned by Christie’s in Geneva on November 6, 2023, with all proceeds from the sale benefitting the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Reference
03.3110.3600/01.M3100

Key points
Red Ceramic Bezel. Automatic El Primero column-wheel-chronograph able to measure and display 1/10th of a second. Increased power reserve of 60 hours. Date indication at 4:30. Stop-second mechanism.

Movement
El Primero 3600, Automatic

Frequency
36’000vph (5Hz)

Power reserve
approx. 60 hours

Functions
Hours and minutes in the centre. Small seconds at 9 o’clock. 1/10th of a second

Chronograph
Central chronograph hand that makes one turn in 10 seconds, 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock, 60-second counter at 3 o’clock.

Finishes
New star-shaped oscillating weight with satined finishings

Material
Stainless steel

Water resistance
10 ATM

Case
41mm

Dial
Red lacquered

Hands
Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Bracelet & Buckle
Metal bracelet