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City74 · 2 October 2018, 04:11 AM

Do I really want to sell my Speedmaster and buy a Zenith El Primero? I hardly ever am able to see Zenith in person as they have very few ADs and none anywhere close to me. However, over the weekend a watch shop I visited had a used 38mm tricolor in stock and wow.....what a watch!!!

I have the Speedy Reduced as I love the smaller size on my small wrist, and the Zenith fit just as well. That color on the EP with the silver dial and grey, grey and blue subdials and blue second track just looked amazing.

I’m still thinking about it as I would have to cough up probably $2500-$3000 in difference but it’s got me thinking that’s for sure.

Anyone else had this choice, or made the switch?

J!m · 2 October 2018, 06:04 AM

Well, if it's not a Speedmaster Professional (moon watch) then it's probably a fine upgrade for you.

There is absolutely no question the Zenith is a much finer time piece. I'm quite the fan myself, although I don't own one. Omegas are quite good- nothing at all wrong with them, but the finishing and attention to detail on a Zenith is above and beyond Omega, particularly on a (no offense) lower end time piece from Omega.

If you prefer the Zenith, I say grab it as they are (as you pointed out) quite rare in the States. You will NEVER see another in the wild, and since it is not a known brand outside watch circles, it won't attract the wrong kind of attention.

vman · 2 October 2018, 06:11 AM

^ What he said. I considered that switch and ultimately let Speedy go for another, non-Zenith, timepiece. Zenith's decoration is okay. Not AP or Lange, but a step above Omega. The chrono mechanism was smooth on the El Primero I tried. Better than Omega IMHO.

City74 · 2 October 2018, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J!m

Well, if it's not a Speedmaster Professional (moon watch) then it's probably a fine upgrade for you.

There is absolutely no question the Zenith is a much finer time piece. I'm quite the fan myself, although I don't own one. Omegas are quite good- nothing at all wrong with them, but the finishing and attention to detail on a Zenith is above and beyond Omega, particularly on a (no offense) lower end time piece from Omega.

If you prefer the Zenith, I say grab it as they are (as you pointed out) quite rare in the States. You will NEVER see another in the wild, and since it is not a known brand outside watch circles, it won't attract the wrong kind of attention.

The reason I went with the Reduced was simply size, not because it was lower end. I think the case etc is fine as far as quality but the bracelet isn’t good and the movement isn’t exactly reliable.

I agree with the Zenith being a step up for sure.

City74 · 2 October 2018, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vman

^ What he said. I considered that switch and ultimately let Speedy go for another, non-Zenith, timepiece. Zenith's decoration is okay. Not AP or Lange, but a step above Omega. The chrono mechanism was smooth on the El Primero I tried. Better than Omega IMHO.

Yes but the price also isn’t AP or Lange so it’s relative

GradyPhilpott · 2 October 2018, 07:48 AM

I would not let a Speedmaster Pro go, if that's what you have, not even for an El Primero.

City74 · 2 October 2018, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I would not let a Speedmaster Pro go, if that's what you have, not even for an El Primero.

I have a Speedy Reduced. Smaller size fits me better.

GradyPhilpott · 2 October 2018, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by City74

I have a Speedy Reduced. Smaller size fits me better.

I wouldn't part with that one, especially since it fits you so well.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Peterandwatches · 3 October 2018, 09:42 AM

Had the Zenith 38 myself but ended up flipping it. It's gorgeous, but I slowly fell out of love with it.

For me, the date was extremely hard to read. For dates ranging from the 11th to the 19th, the 1 blends in with the edge. After that, the overlapping dials started to annoy me. I had my eye on some other pieces and then let it go.

City74 · 3 October 2018, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I wouldn't part with that one, especially since it fits you so well.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

It does fit my well, that’s for sure. My idea was just stepping up the chrono in my collection

City74 · 3 October 2018, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peterandwatches

Had the Zenith 38 myself but ended up flipping it. It's gorgeous, but I slowly fell out of love with it.

For me, the date was extremely hard to read. For dates ranging from the 11th to the 19th, the 1 blends in with the edge. After that, the overlapping dials started to annoy me. I had my eye on some other pieces and then let it go.

Did you have the 1969 reissue?

1William · 3 October 2018, 09:05 PM

I really like the Zenith and would get the best deal possible and go for it. There is no issue finding a pre-owned Speedmaster as the market is full of them.

slcbbrown · 4 October 2018, 12:58 PM

Happily traded my Speedy Pro away for an upgrade. In my case, it was for a Breguet Type xx (+ cash). I'd definitely rather have the Zenith than a Speedy reduced, but I'd have swapped my hesalite Speedy for the Zenith, as well.

denmanproject · 4 October 2018, 02:18 PM

I would take my Zenith over a Speedy

City74 · 4 October 2018, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1William

I really like the Zenith and would get the best deal possible and go for it. There is no issue finding a pre-owned Speedmaster as the market is full of them.

Yea the market had a lot of Speedys for sure

City74 · 4 October 2018, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slcbbrown

Happily traded my Speedy Pro away for an upgrade. In my case, it was for a Breguet Type xx (+ cash). I'd definitely rather have the Zenith than a Speedy reduced, but I'd have swapped my hesalite Speedy for the Zenith, as well.

Love that Brequet

City74 · 4 October 2018, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denmanproject

I would take my Zenith over a Speedy

That’s super nice looking.

Peterandwatches · 5 October 2018, 06:35 AM

Yep, I had the 1969 tri-color reissue. Maybe it was just mine, but I would urge you to get one in hand, and set it for the 11th.

Short of that, you can Google some pictures and see the 1 will likely be close to the edge. Keep in mind, in real life, there might be a shadow and you're likely looking at the watch with your arm raised. To my eyes, their straight line "1" would always blend in with the date window.

CoveWatch · 6 October 2018, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denmanproject

I would take my Zenith over a Speedy

That’s a very good looking watch!

2 October 2018, 04:11 AM	#1
City74 Banned Join Date: Oct 2017 Real Name: Bradley Location: Virginia Watch: Speedy Reduced Posts: 727	Do I really want to.... Do I really want to sell my Speedmaster and buy a Zenith El Primero? I hardly ever am able to see Zenith in person as they have very few ADs and none anywhere close to me. However, over the weekend a watch shop I visited had a used 38mm tricolor in stock and wow.....what a watch!!! I have the Speedy Reduced as I love the smaller size on my small wrist, and the Zenith fit just as well. That color on the EP with the silver dial and grey, grey and blue subdials and blue second track just looked amazing. I’m still thinking about it as I would have to cough up probably $2500-$3000 in difference but it’s got me thinking that’s for sure. Anyone else had this choice, or made the switch?

2 October 2018, 06:11 AM	#3
vman 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Capt Swerve Location: North Carolina Watch: less TV Posts: 2,230	^ What he said. I considered that switch and ultimately let Speedy go for another, non-Zenith, timepiece. Zenith's decoration is okay. Not AP or Lange, but a step above Omega. The chrono mechanism was smooth on the El Primero I tried. Better than Omega IMHO. __________________ Collector and buyer of Lange, VC, Patek \| 2 FA Enabled

2 October 2018, 07:48 AM	#6
GradyPhilpott 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Mexico Watch: Seiko #SRK050 Posts: 34,460	I would not let a Speedmaster Pro go, if that's what you have, not even for an El Primero. __________________ JJ Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner

2 October 2018, 06:04 AM	#2
J!m "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Real Name: Jim Location: Connecticut Watch: this! Hold my beer Posts: 2,839	Well, if it's not a Speedmaster Professional (moon watch) then it's probably a fine upgrade for you. There is absolutely no question the Zenith is a much finer time piece. I'm quite the fan myself, although I don't own one. Omegas are quite good- nothing at all wrong with them, but the finishing and attention to detail on a Zenith is above and beyond Omega, particularly on a (no offense) lower end time piece from Omega. If you prefer the Zenith, I say grab it as they are (as you pointed out) quite rare in the States. You will NEVER see another in the wild, and since it is not a known brand outside watch circles, it won't attract the wrong kind of attention.

3 October 2018, 09:42 AM	#9
Peterandwatches "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: WA Watch: 5167/15400/Sub/JLC Posts: 1,023	Had the Zenith 38 myself but ended up flipping it. It's gorgeous, but I slowly fell out of love with it. For me, the date was extremely hard to read. For dates ranging from the 11th to the 19th, the 1 blends in with the edge. After that, the overlapping dials started to annoy me. I had my eye on some other pieces and then let it go.

3 October 2018, 09:05 PM	#12
1William 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: North Carolina Watch: Rolex/Others Posts: 47,764	I really like the Zenith and would get the best deal possible and go for it. There is no issue finding a pre-owned Speedmaster as the market is full of them.

4 October 2018, 12:58 PM	#13
slcbbrown "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: steve Location: dallas area Watch: 50's TT t-bird Posts: 3,689	Happily traded my Speedy Pro away for an upgrade. In my case, it was for a Breguet Type xx (+ cash). I'd definitely rather have the Zenith than a Speedy reduced, but I'd have swapped my hesalite Speedy for the Zenith, as well.

4 October 2018, 02:18 PM	#14
denmanproject "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Real Name: Wayne Location: Canada Posts: 4,407	I would take my Zenith over a Speedy

5 October 2018, 06:35 AM	#18
Peterandwatches "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: WA Watch: 5167/15400/Sub/JLC Posts: 1,023	Yep, I had the 1969 tri-color reissue. Maybe it was just mine, but I would urge you to get one in hand, and set it for the 11th. Short of that, you can Google some pictures and see the 1 will likely be close to the edge. Keep in mind, in real life, there might be a shadow and you're likely looking at the watch with your arm raised. To my eyes, their straight line "1" would always blend in with the date window.

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