The time: 7:00 PM
The watch: Zenith Chronomaster Open
I’ve recently been craving sushi and I wanted to find a local restaurant that would fit the bill. And, for this episode of Time & Taste, I found a really good one. Stepping into Matsuya Japanese Restaurant in Florence, Kentucky, you immediately feel a sense of calm that can only come from a place that has spent decades perfecting the art of quiet hospitality.
Before any dish arrives, something small but meaningful sets the tone for the meal. The elegant wooden chopsticks, wrapped with a traditional Japanese wave pattern, signal what is to come. Their balanced weight and refined design reflect intention and craft. They are the first whisper that tonight is about precision and authenticity, much like the Zenith Chronomaster Open that sits on my wrist.
Whenever I visit a Japanese restaurant, I always start the meal with a simple bowl of sushi rice. It is the purest benchmark of the kitchen’s skill. At Matsuya, the grains arrive glossy and perfectly cooked, each one distinct yet unified, carrying the faint sweetness that only well-seasoned rice achieves. This quiet foundation mirrors the fundamental accuracy of the Chronomaster Open. Just as sushi rice is the heartbeat of Japanese cuisine, the El Primero 3604 movement inside the Zenith is the heart of a lineage defined by precision. Both carry decades of refinement and remain benchmarks of their crafts.
The sake (salmon) onigiri arrives wrapped in crisp seaweed, its triangular form both humble and comforting. The lightly seasoned salmon filling brings a savory richness that complements the warm rice that envelopes it. Much like the onigiri’s structure, the Chronomaster Open reveals only what is necessary while keeping the rest elegantly restrained. The open heart at nine o’clock offers a view into the movement without overwhelming the dial. It is the same balance found in the onigiri, where a simple exterior hides a thoughtful core.
I am an enormous fan of nigiri sushi, and what I ordered next, definitely did not disappoint. Anago (saltwater eel) with its caramelized glaze and toasted edges. Sake (fresh salmon) with its buttery marbling. Maguro (tuna) with its deep crimson hue. Each piece sits atop perfectly formed sushi rice, unified by technique yet expressing its own character. This trio reflects the tri color counters of the Zenith Chronomaster Open. Each counter serves a shared purpose while offering a unique visual identity. The watch, like the nigiri board, is harmonious without sacrificing individuality. Every bite and every sub dial demonstrates the magic that occurs when tradition and artistry meet.
Eel has always been my favorite kind of sushi, so when I saw they have Unagidon on the menu, I had to order it. It is a showstopper. Glazed barbecue freshwater eel rests on a bed of rice, the aroma rising as soon as the lacquered box is opened. The char, the sweetness, the depth of the tare (sweet and savory soy sauce), all come together with satisfying richness. If you’re a fan of freshwater eel, this is a MUST HAVE. It reminds me of the power reserve of the El Primero movement. There is endurance beneath the surface, an energy that carries through long after the first impression. The unagidon, like the movement, reveals its strength gradually. What begins with sweetness evolves into complexity, much like how the Chronomaster rewards its owner the longer it is worn.
The Pairing
Matsuya’s dishes embrace tradition while offering subtle refinements that elevate the experience. This makes the Zenith Chronomaster Open the perfect companion. The watch takes the iconic El Primero architecture and brings it into the present with a glimpse of its beating heart. It respects the past while confidently stepping forward, just as Matsuya does with every dish it serves.
What makes this pairing especially compelling is the symmetry between transparency and trust. Matsuya shows its craft openly, from the sushi rice to the careful slicing of nigiri. Zenith does the same by revealing part of its movement. The open heart is not a novelty. It is an invitation to appreciate what makes the watch extraordinary.
The Chronomaster Open’s blend of modern design, high frequency precision, and classic tri color counters gives it a character rarely found in contemporary watches. It feels timeless in the same way a well made Japanese meal feels timeless. Whether you are admiring the smooth brushing on the case or the perfect cut of salmon, you recognize excellence instantly.
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