When viewing a high end chronograph, the Rolex Daytona is highly sought after, they are next to impossible to purchase from an authorised dealer. This is ironic, when the Daytoma was initially released back in 1963, it was not a success, they wouldn’t sell. Now though, purchasing a Cosmograph Daytona [if you can get one] is going to set you back the price of a decent motor vehicle. 

This is amazing how this has changed, the Rolex Daytona is very much collectable, I have tried one on when I was in Hong Kong in 2017. Mostly when I visit a Rolex boutique, there isn’t much chance to try on a Cosmograph Daytona, they are pretty scarce, don’t expect a discount.    

An oystersteel starts at around $18,000 AUD, that’s really stainless steel to the non-Rolex buyer. An oystersteel and yellow gold starts at $24,600 AUD before the price really starts to head north. A yellowgold is $46,350 AUD in basic form, white gold isn’t much more at $48,050 along with the everose gold with a platinum version with price on request. 

So, a little searching on the Chrono24 website, starting around $160,000 AUD right up to $220,000 AUD with a version with Arabic numerals replacing the hour index at $417,916 AUD. This outrageous, precious metal Cosmograph Daytona will set you back a pretty decent motor vehicle or a sizable deposit on a property.

Navigating around the Zenith webpage, a Ref 03.3100.3600/69.M3100 El Primero Chronomaster Sport retails for $14,300 AUD, not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but well priced as compared to the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. A ceramic bezel insert really accentuates the dial, the three sub-dials are coloured in a unique dial styling. The 41 mm case is fitted with a stainless steel bracelet, a fabric strap is also available with a triple folding clasp but I prefer the steel bracelet version. 

Ok, so what do you get movement wise? A column wheel chronograph with a power reserve of 60 hours. The El Primero movement is iconic, the 60 hour power reserve is pretty decent considering the 36,000 vph [5 Hz] frequency. The 1/10 th of a second chronograph has a central counter making a revolution every 10 seconds, a small seconds counter at the 9 o’clock position, a 60 second counter at 3 o’clock and 60 minute counter at the 6 o’clock position. I would certainly consider the Zenith Chronomaster Sport as an alternative to a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona.