Do I really want to....

[City74]

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]

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.

[City74]

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.

[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.

[City74]

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]

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

[City74]

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]

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

[City74]

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

[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.

[City74]

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]

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.

[City74]

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

[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.

[City74]

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

[denmanproject]

I would take my Zenith over a Speedy

[City74]

Originally Posted by denmanproject

I would take my Zenith over a Speedy

That’s super nice looking.

[CoveWatch]

Originally Posted by denmanproject

I would take my Zenith over a Speedy

That’s a very good looking watch!

[Peterandwatches]

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.