Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial) vs Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold)

Two chronographs compared — $25,000+ vs $10,000–$25,000

Quick Verdict

The Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold) ($10,000–$25,000) delivers El Primero 4021, 36,000 vph (5 Hz), column wheel, automatic technology in the tier below the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial) ($25,000+). The Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold) measures 42mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM). The Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial) justifies its premium with Swiss Made heritage and Automatic chronograph, GP03300-0141. Both represent excellent choices in the chronograph category.

Girard-PerregauxLaureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial)$25,000+ Check price ZenithChronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold)$10,000–$25,000 Check price

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Girard-Perregaux

Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial)

$25,000+

Check Price Full Review

Zenith

Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold)

$10,000–$25,000

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Specifications Compared

Feature	Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial)	Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold)
Price	$25,000+	$10,000–$25,000
Case Size	42mm	42mm
Movement	Automatic chronograph, GP03300-0141	Automatic chronograph, Zenith El Primero 4021
Caliber Type	Girard-Perregaux GP03300, in-house automatic column-wheel chronograph	El Primero 4021, 36,000 vph (5 Hz), column wheel, automatic
Power Reserve	About 46 hours	About 50 hours, with indicator
Water Resistance	100m (10 ATM)	100m (10 ATM)
Crystal	Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback	Sapphire Crystal, sapphire exhibition caseback
Case Material	Stainless steel, octagonal bezel	18k rose gold
Origin	Swiss Made	Swiss Made

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Girard-Perregaux's design language vs Zenith's approach

The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial) features a Stainless steel, octagonal bezel case at 42mm with Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback protection. The Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold) offers 18k rose gold construction at 42mm with Sapphire Crystal, sapphire exhibition caseback. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Zenith

Automatic chronograph, GP03300-0141 vs Automatic chronograph, Zenith El Primero 4021

The Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial) runs the Automatic chronograph, GP03300-0141 (Girard-Perregaux GP03300, in-house automatic column-wheel chronograph, About 46 hours power reserve) at standard frequency. The Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold) uses the Automatic chronograph, Zenith El Primero 4021 (El Primero 4021, 36,000 vph (5 Hz), column wheel, automatic, About 50 hours, with indicator reserve) at standard. The Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold) offers a longer power reserve.

📏

Wearability & Fit

Edge: Draw

42mm vs 42mm — different wrist presence

At 42mm, the Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial) is similarly sized compared to the Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold) at 42mm. Water resistance differs: 100m (10 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM).

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Zenith

Zenith sits in the lower tier

The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial) sits at $25,000+ and the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold) at $10,000–$25,000. On the specs that outlast any price: the Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial) uses Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback with About 46 hours, against Sapphire Crystal, sapphire exhibition caseback and About 50 hours, with indicator on the Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold). Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

💧

Water Resistance

Edge: Draw

100m (10 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM)

The Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial) is rated to 100m (10 ATM) while the Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold) handles 100m (10 ATM). Both offer identical water resistance ratings.

Our Verdict

Girard-Perregaux

Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial)

Choose the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial) if you prioritize Girard-Perregaux GP03300, in-house automatic column-wheel chronograph engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 100m (10 ATM) water resistance. At $25,000+, it delivers Automatic chronograph, GP03300-0141 with About 46 hours power reserve.

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Zenith

Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold)

Choose the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold) if you value El Primero 4021, 36,000 vph (5 Hz), column wheel, automatic technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 42mm proportions. At $10,000–$25,000, the Automatic chronograph, Zenith El Primero 4021 with About 50 hours, with indicator power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial) and Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold) represent two distinct approaches to the chronograph category — the Girard-Perregaux bringing Swiss Made tradition while Zenith delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

On price, the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold) sits a band lower ($10,000–$25,000 against $25,000+), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

The Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold) offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $10,000–$25,000. However, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial) may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial) at 42mm with 100m (10 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold) at 42mm with 100m (10 ATM) is similarly capable. The Laureato Chronograph 42mm (steel, blue dial) uses Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback while the Chronomaster El Primero Open Power Reserve (18k rose gold) uses Sapphire Crystal, sapphire exhibition caseback.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.