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Zenith Chronomaster Solo Sport 40mm Mens Watch Black
Ref. 03.5000.3620/22.M5000
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Stepping up in the same colour and case shape
The Chronomaster Solo Sport is something of a provocation within Zenith's own catalogue. The El Primero has been a chronograph movement since 1969, running at the high frequency that made it capable of measuring tenths of a second. Stripping it back to time and date only — retaining the 5 Hz beat and the silicon escapement, discarding the complication — produces a watch that is somewhat overqualified for what it shows on its dial, and that is entirely the point of it. The black ceramic dial is busier than a plain sports watch would need to be: the engraved geometric Z pattern across its surface catches light differently depending on the angle, and the shark-tooth minute track at the periphery is a direct quotation from earlier Zenith references that collectors will recognise immediately. On the wrist the integrated three-link bracelet sits flush with the case, and the ZENCLASP allows the fit to be adjusted without tools — useful when the case at 13.13mm runs a touch thick for a time-only watch and sleeve clearance becomes a consideration. What stays with an owner over time is the openworked star-shaped rotor visible through the caseback, a reminder that the architecture beneath was built for something more demanding than it is currently being asked to do.
- Reference
- 03.5000.3620/22.M5000
- Brand
- Zenith
- Collection
- Chronomaster
- Case size
- 40mm
- Case thickness
- 13.13mm
- Lug width
- 20mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Black
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Bezel
- Unidirectional rotating
- Movement
- Automatic
- Calibre
- El Primero 3620 SC
- Functions
- Chronograph, Date, Skeleton dial
- Water resistance
- 200m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Silver
- Clasp
- Folding clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- Retailer
- Mappin & Webb
Additional specifications
- Power reserve
- 60 hours
Learn more about Zenith
Georges Favre-Jacot founded Zenith in Le Locle in 1865, aged twenty-two, with an idea that was radical for the Swiss industry: bring every trade needed to make a watch — movement, case, dial, hands — under one roof and one management. The integrated manufacture was largely his invention, and the Le Locle site he built is still in use.
The approach produced results at observatory trials, where Zenith accumulated more precision awards than any other manufacture. The name itself came from a calibre Favre-Jacot considered the summit of his work.
Its defining achievement is the El Primero of 1969, developed over seven years and announced in the same year as the Heuer-Breitling consortium's Calibre 11 and Seiko's 6139. It was an integrated automatic chronograph beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour, allowing measurement to a tenth of a second — a frequency almost nothing else matched for decades.
It nearly did not survive. When American owners ordered the mechanical tooling scrapped during the quartz crisis, a watchmaker named Charles Vermot hid the plans, presses, and cams in a walled-off attic. When demand for mechanical chronographs returned, Zenith could restart production because of him. Rolex used the El Primero in the Daytona from 1988 to 2000.
LVMH acquired Zenith in 1999.
- 1865
- Georges Favre-Jacot founds the integrated manufacture at Le Locle.
- 1969
- The El Primero automatic chronograph debuts at 36,000 vph.
- 1975
- Charles Vermot hides the El Primero tooling from destruction.
- 1988
- Rolex adopts the El Primero for the Daytona.
- 1999
- Acquired by LVMH.
Also in 7 collections
This watch appears in the Zenith Chronomaster range (23), Back in Stock (4,868), Stainless Steel Watches (3,133), Automatic Watches (1,750), Chronograph Watches (1,199), Sports Watches (800) and Dive Watches (572).
Manufacturer’s guarantee
Best of 2 retailers
What the specifications mean
A mechanical watch built to be worn hard and got wet.
Strengths
- 200m water resistance, rated for actual diving
- 40mm suits most wrists
- Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
- Sits in the lower half of Zenith's range as we list it
Also seen with this model (1)
Other versions of this model, not necessarily this exact watch.
- Aaron Rodgers · Zenith Chronomaster · Ambassador · Chronomaster Sport · Source
Zenith Chronomaster Solo Sport alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 03.5000.3620/22.M5000 | 1-39-11-06-80-06 | H9762 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £9,700 | £8,200 | £8,450 |
| Case size | 40mm | 39.5mm | 38mm |
| Water resistance | 200m | 200m | 200m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Rubber strap | Ceramic bracelet |
| Power reserve | 60 hours | — | 70 hours |
| This watch |
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Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Yes. At 200m it is rated for swimming, snorkelling and recreational diving.
Water resistance explainedWill the glass scratch?
Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.
Sapphire, mineral and acrylic comparedDoes it need a battery?
No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.
Quartz, automatic and solar comparedHow long does it run for when it's not worn?
About 60 hours fully wound — enough to survive a night off the wrist, but not a full weekend.
What size strap does it take?
20mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's, though at 40mm it sits in the range that suits anyone.
Cheapest place to buy
Both Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb list it at £9,700, so choose on delivery and warranty rather than price.
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