Two Questions on Zenith

[tesmith2112]

1) What are your thoughts on the Zenith brand and where they rank among other Luxury watches?

2) What's the best way to find one of these (see image below)?

I'm looking for this piece, but it was a limited edition, which sold out a couple years ago. I tried eBay, but no luck. I'm sure a "WTB" thread here wouldn't work. Any guidance would be appreciated.

[OrangeKenny]

My thoughts:

1) Zenith make some great movements, and have supplied to many great brands. Since this is the Rolex Forum perhaps the most appropriate to mention is the Rolex Daytona. From about 1988-2000 they we’re powered by a Zenith El Primero movement. They are now owned by the LVMH luxury goods conglomerate, so I presume they supply mostly to other LVMH brands now. But they are absolute a luxury watch in their own right. It’s difficult to rank brands against each other because a lot of it is subjective.
Maybe somewhere below Omega but above Tag Heuer? I don’t know.

2) Chrono24 is always a good starting point. Searching by reference number is easiest, but not all listing have the correct reference and so if it’s a rare watch you might miss the listing. Try filtering by obvious characteristics; brand, color etc. Things that the seller can easily fill out without much effort are more likely to be filled out correctly.
Beyond Chrono24, I use an app called WatchRecon. It aggregates sales listing from various forums, and has an easy to use interface. Try searching by reference number or model name or keyword.

Good luck!

[tesmith2112]

Originally Posted by OrangeKenny

My thoughts:

1) Zenith make some great movements, and have supplied to many great brands. Since this is the Rolex Forum perhaps the most appropriate to mention is the Rolex Daytona. From about 1988-2000 they we’re powered by a Zenith El Primero movement. They are now owned by the LVMH luxury goods conglomerate, so I presume they supply mostly to other LVMH brands now. But they are absolute a luxury watch in their own right. It’s difficult to rank brands against each other because a lot of it is subjective.
Maybe somewhere below Omega but above Tag Heuer? I don’t know.

2) Chrono24 is always a good starting point. Searching by reference number is easiest, but not all listing have the correct reference and so if it’s a rare watch you might miss the listing. Try filtering by obvious characteristics; brand, color etc. Things that the seller can easily fill out without much effort are more likely to be filled out correctly.
Beyond Chrono24, I use an app called WatchRecon. It aggregates sales listing from various forums, and has an easy to use interface. Try searching by reference number or model name or keyword.

Good luck!

Great feedback! Thank you so much. I've been eyeing Zenith for a year or so now, and I'm ready to squeeze the trigger on the black-only ceramic because it's readily available, but I'd prefer the orange special edition if I can find it. I'll check out your recommendations now. Thanks so much!

[MichaelFlash]

I like Zenith. Owned a Chronomaster many years ago that I loved. That Defy is stunning.

[tesmith2112]

Originally Posted by MichaelFlash

I like Zenith. Owned a Chronomaster many years ago that I loved. That Defy is stunning.

Thanks Michael! We have similar taste! I'm really excited about this watch.

[htc8p]

I would rank zenith up there with jaeger le coultre and iwc. They are master makers of super accurate hi beat movements.

Below patek but higher than Rolex.

If you are looking for a discontinued model or limited module, you will have a hard time. They don’t release models left and right like omega


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[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by htc8p

I would rank zenith up there with jaeger le coultre and iwc. They are master makers of super accurate hi beat movements.

Below patek but higher than Rolex.

If you are looking for a discontinued model or limited module, you will have a hard time. They don’t release models left and right like omega


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This!!!!!

[DoxaDavid]

Zenith are great watches and equal in quality to many brands like Omega, JLC, Breitling, etc.

I’ve owned a couple and still have a Ltd Edt Blue Wave Defy.

[RTG]

I like Zenith. Would have zero hesitation to own one. Currently have been considering a Defy 21 blue.

My only concern is the evil word 'value'. We get spoiled in the Rolex world. I would only buy the Zenith 2nd hand or at a deep discount.

[Homo Sapien X]

Originally Posted by RTG

I like Zenith. Would have zero hesitation to own one. Currently have been considering a Defy 21 blue.

My only concern is the evil word 'value'. We get spoiled in the Rolex world. I would only buy the Zenith 2nd hand or at a deep discount.

I purchased my 7.6mm thickness Ultra Thin Zenith below $2500 mint condition, movement is in house. That’s , to me, is value. Zenith is a watchmaker very serious with their movement.


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[Fort Rolex]

Great brand and I love a lot of their catalog. I just still can’t understand the overlapping subdials on their flagship El Primero

[tesmith2112]

You guys sold me! I just bought this one. Should arrive Saturday!

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by tesmith2112

You guys sold me! I just bought this one. Should arrive Saturday!

Congrats and welcome to the Zenith Owners Club!

[Txkill]

Congrats! It’s a watch I owned and admittedly really miss. I had the open worked titanium with bracelet and loved it.

[MSchu]

great brand... great heritage... superb movements... horrible value retention.

[tesmith2112]

Originally Posted by MSchu

great brand... great heritage... superb movements... horrible value retention.

That's why you should never pay retail!

[tesmith2112]

Here's a couple pics of my watch, plus a couple of straps I have in-route to mix things up a bit.

[Mainewatchman]

Originally Posted by tesmith2112

Here's a couple pics of my watch, plus a couple of straps I have in-route to mix things up a bit.

Thinking about picking this model up and love the idea of the different straps, where did you get the straps from and how much were they? You still have this piece and enjoying it?

[ralfoto]

great brand...and wonderful quality.the hi-beat movt. is a bit costly to service but oh so sweet to see working correctly.

[soundserious]

Love it.

[tesmith2112]

Originally Posted by soundserious

Love it.

Thanks!

[mfer]

I've always like this watch. Never tried it on and if it fit, I think I would buy it.

So, I'm not trying it on.

[tesmith2112]

Originally Posted by mfer

I've always like this watch. Never tried it on and if it fit, I think I would buy it.

So, I'm not trying it on.

Ha! It's so comfortable. Actually even more comfortable than my aquanaut.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by tesmith2112

Ha! It's so comfortable. Actually even more comfortable than my aquanaut.

More comfy that a 5167. Yeah, definitely not trying it on now. ;)

[OJONES]

How is legibility on this?

[tesmith2112]

Originally Posted by OJONES

How is legibility on this?

Pretty easy in daylight hours. Dim lighting is a challenge for sure.

[Phahrenheit]

Originally Posted by tesmith2112

Pretty easy in daylight hours. Dim lighting is a challenge for sure.

Hi may I know the accuracy of this model?
Thanks

[scarlet knight]

I like the conservative Zeniths.

[mongrelnomoad]

Love the history. Adore the hi-beat movements. Like the design. Don’t like the finishing. Can’t stand the ownership (LVMH is far inferior as a conglomerate to Richemont IMO).

Tl;Dr: I like them, but not enough to buy one.

[Oyster Sauce]

I consider Zenith in at least the same stratum as Rolex and Omega...really top notch. Perhaps a bit of a niche brand at the same time, centering around El Primero and Defy lines these days. Very cool. Happy hunting!