In The News:
That said, you can imagine my surprise — and have perhaps shared it — when this brand, full of originality, debuted the Chronomaster Sport with a ceramic bezel, steel case, 100m water resistance, three-piece link bracelet, and an all too familiar-looking clasp with the clear intention to cater as a feasible alternative to those in dire need of a shot of Daytona goodness. I won't tell you what to think of these similarities — no one should — but I can tell what I think of them now, that the watch has been with me for some time, next to a steel Rolex Daytona ⁘Panda.⁘ Ahh, the Rolex Daytona ⁘Panda.⁘ Never before bred in captivity⁘ until now, apparently.
Accidental resemblances can occur, and it is also true that we humans are programmed on a cellular level to seek patterns and similarities and thus sometimes fantasize about seeing them in places in which they are not. But the Chronomaster Sport, once in hand, looks and feels as close to a Daytona, as any major, historic watchmaker could ever afford to get without immediately being reduced to the status of an homage producer. I, for one, don't think that any one brand should exclusively own any one design, especially not for half a century or more, and the Daytona has been around since 1963. I like to have different takes and approaches to the same recipe, and it is on us, the customers, to decide whether something is too close for comfort, or is exactly what we have been waiting for.
At a claimed 41mm wide, the Zenith is slightly but noticeably wider. Likewise, at 13.8mm thick, it feels a bit thicker than the Daytona, although you do get a date display, a chunkier and much more elaborate self-winding rotor, and a spectacular movement architecture to make up for the slightly inferior grace and comfort compared to the Daytona's thinner case. Note that the Daytona pictured here has an aftermarket see-through caseback that is a bit thicker than the factory-fitted steel back. Although the watch head is heavier and wobblier on the Zenith, the weight and balance of the Chronomaster fall close to its benchmark, which is good news, as the Daytona is as comfortable and as balanced on the wrist (over long-term wear) as steel bracelet-equipped chronograph watches get these days.
