This is one lazy day.
It is the 3rd day of Merdeka Raya and I have stuffed myself full of food for the 1st 2 days of visiting friends.
This is my first go at what I hope to a qualified "review" of my Zenith Chronomaster Open XXT
Pictures are taken using my wife's Pink.... yes.... Pink Sony TX-5.
Of all the watch brands out there... Zenith is something special for me.
Even during the days when I know nothing about watches, the word "Zenith" just oozes class... I know... simple reason for someone to get attached to a brand name.
The previous one I have was the El Primero HW which I sold to make way for this one... a Chronomaster XXT.
The design is just pure elegance and class.
Some of the finer details with this watch can only be seen when holding the actual watch.
Photos just don't do justice, unless I invest in a DSLR camera with all the knick knacks that I need for a professional photoshoot... but in the meantime, these will have to do.
THE DIAL, MARKERS AND HANDS.
All I can say about the dial is it is absolutely beautiful to look at.
With some guilloche parts and brushed parts... it gives out a sense of sophistication and elegance.
Markers are raised black roman numerals which in itself gives out a shine that is just out of this world.
The Dial and Markers gives the appearance of depth at the face of the watch.
The main hands are the Silver Hours, Minutes and Seconds hand as well a a Gold hand for the power reserve indicator.
Readability for the time is sometimes mistaken as the gold power reserve hand will look like the silver hands under specific lighting conditions. Not a dealbreaker in any way but I was hoping that they go a different design for the power reserve hands, that would solve the problem.
From 8-11, there is a cutout of the dial to let you peek inside the escapement.
It is just beautifully done and I think this is the highlight of this model.
The "open" dial show the escapement happily ticking away and the balance spring spinning at a high rate...
Put a watch beside this one running at 28800bph and the difference is easy to see.
MOVEMENT.
This watch is powered by the Zenith Manufacture El Primero caliber 4021.
Beats and an high rate of 36000 beats per hour which comes down to 10 beats per second, it is a joy to look at the second hands sweep when the chronograph functions start.
This is something that cannot be captured on photograph.
One word.... mesmerizing!!
It is a shame that without the chronograph starting, you can only see a small tri-tip helicopter hands spinning with the open background that shows the swiss anchor escapement... you have to look hard as there are alot of details at one go.
STRAP AND DEPLOYANT.
The watch comes with a black glossy genuine alligator strap and a signed Zenith Butterfly Deployant clasp.
There are no buttons for release... it is strictly pressure push click and pull to release type.
Once secured, it is firm and assuring. No problems whatsoever.
The straps are 22mm width and tapers to 18mm.
The thing I notice about straps of this size is that when you look for replacements, it is as though most strap manufacturers know that straps of this size is meant for high end watches and the straps of this particular size normally sell for at least usd100 or more... I have yet to find a cheap one yet. 22-20? Plenty of cheap ones... 22-18? good luck bro...
Don't believe me? Search around and you will see.
CROWN AND PUSHERS.
The crown is a normal push pull type with no screw ins. It is signed with a Zenith Star.
I would love it to have a screw in crown to at least give it a WR rating of at least 50m or better at 100m... but it is only rated at 30m... Raindrops is the only thing this watch will go thru... anything more... I would not even dare to try.
The Chronograph pushers are sized just nice to press when needed.
When pressed, the click is reassuringly firm and precise.
DETAILS.
Okay, this is one thing I can capture on photographs.
I will try to explain this one with words. Please bear with me.
The bezel on this watch is a stepped design. (see the pic above)
From the case, it stepped up twice in polished stainless steel and the third "step" is the sapphire crystal itself.
Okay, now why would they do that? Isn't it better if the sapphire crystal is level with the bezel to protect it from nicks and bangs?
There is actually a reason.
From an angle, layers will appear on the sapphire that looks really magnificent!
See these?
Surreal man... just beautiful...
Asked if I would grade this watch on a scale of 1 to 10... I would give it a 9.5.
If the design of the power reserve hands is different from the time telling hands and WR of 50m or 100m, it will get a 10/10 in my book...
Yes... I am biased...
Lastly, a wrist shot....
And I still think it wears abit too big for me.
If I can find a 40mm one with a good price, I would jump at it without any 2nd thoughts.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy it.
PS: Consider this a review ar? If not, move this over to the gallery's section...
