How do you perceive Zenith watches?

How do you perceive Zenith watches?

Author
Discussion

13m

Original Poster:

26,271 posts

221 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
quotequote all
?

LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

195 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
quotequote all
In all honestly until I read this forum I thought they were a budget brand alongside Timex etc.


whoami

13,151 posts

239 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
quotequote all
Zenith is a world class watchmaker.

Great history with, perhaps, one of the great chronograph movements.

nikaiyo2

4,672 posts

194 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
quotequote all
From the very very top drawer of watch makers.

Massively under rated IMHO, only thing I would say is don't pay full retail for one, they seem to loose a lot of value.

I don't own one, but will, they tend to be discounted quite a bit, but usually when I am skint lol

marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Monday 10th October 2016
quotequote all
One of my favourite makers.

For me, they've occupied the 'effortlessly cool' slot left vacant by the TAGification of Heuer.

I have, sadly, only one ('70s/'80s) Zenith and not a super cool El Primero or anything like that, but it exudes quality and style like few others. The fact that they're a little 'under the radar' is a positive for me too.

There are only two watches I'd consider as my 'only' watch and one is a Zenith El Primero.

I do agree, though, that you don't buy new as an 'investment', but really, unless you buy (some) Rolex, nothing works on that basis...

M.

andy_s

19,397 posts

258 months

Monday 10th October 2016
quotequote all
Some of the designs are a bit challenging, but they have always been. As for the mechanical aspect I would say that the EP chronograph movement was in many ways the best and was like that straight out of the blocks, so kudos for that. Their auto-chrono range from the late sixties are iconic and histirically significant from a chronograph point of view.

They have recently released a modern version of their Cairelli, and like Tudor and ZRC, have stood very firmly with the original; it looks great.

A fine maker.

Here's my old original A386 from 1970:


anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 10th October 2016
quotequote all
whoami said:
Zenith is a world class watchmaker.

Great history with, perhaps, one of the great chronograph movements.
This in spades. The el primero is the dogs bks.

Although some recent designs have been a bit, er, .. . edgy, zenith are a class act.

Anyone who says Andy s's Watch above isn't beautiful is a savage.

13m

Original Poster:

26,271 posts

221 months

Monday 10th October 2016
quotequote all
marcosgt said:
One of my favourite makers.

For me, they've occupied the 'effortlessly cool' slot left vacant by the TAGification of Heuer.

I have, sadly, only one ('70s/'80s) Zenith and not a super cool El Primero or anything like that, but it exudes quality and style like few others. The fact that they're a little 'under the radar' is a positive for me too.

There are only two watches I'd consider as my 'only' watch and one is a Zenith El Primero.

I do agree, though, that you don't buy new as an 'investment', but really, unless you buy (some) Rolex, nothing works on that basis...

M.
Pretty much how I see them. I am starting to wonder why I don't have one...which is always a bad sign...

TheJimi

24,862 posts

242 months

Monday 10th October 2016
quotequote all
LaurasOtherHalf said:
In all honestly until I read this forum I thought they were a budget brand alongside Timex etc.
I'm struggling to believe this, tbh.

Unless you've *never* looked in the display window of a decent jewellers, it would be fairly obvious that Zenith are just a wee bit more high end that Timex!


anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 10th October 2016
quotequote all
TheJimi said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
In all honestly until I read this forum I thought they were a budget brand alongside Timex etc.
I'm struggling to believe this, tbh.

Unless you've *never* looked in the display window of a decent jewellers, it would be fairly obvious that Zenith are just a wee bit more high end that Timex!
They're not that well known as a brand really. You don't see them plastered all over Grand Prix tracks and tennis courts or on James Bond, They're certainly not the go to watch brand for Russian criminals or anyone else out to show they can afford a nice watch like Rolex or other "I've made it" brands. I just asked my wife if she'd heard of zenith watches and she hadn't. I've certainly pointed them out on many occasions to her. hehe

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 10th October 2016
quotequote all
NeMiSiS said:
Never heard of them, are they a spin off from Zeitner Watches, those watches you buy on drip, advertised at the back of Womans Own magazine?
hehe savage

jshell

11,006 posts

204 months

Monday 10th October 2016
quotequote all
Bronze Zenith Pilot - Yum!

LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

195 months

Monday 10th October 2016
quotequote all
el stovey said:
TheJimi said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
In all honestly until I read this forum I thought they were a budget brand alongside Timex etc.
I'm struggling to believe this, tbh.

Unless you've *never* looked in the display window of a decent jewellers, it would be fairly obvious that Zenith are just a wee bit more high end that Timex!
They're not that well known as a brand really. You don't see them plastered all over Grand Prix tracks and tennis courts or on James Bond, They're certainly not the go to watch brand for Russian criminals or anyone else out to show they can afford a nice watch like Rolex or other "I've made it" brands. I just asked my wife if she'd heard of zenith watches and she hadn't. I've certainly pointed them out on many occasions to her. hehe
This, advertising works evidently.

jules_s

4,237 posts

232 months

Monday 10th October 2016
quotequote all
The Zenith el primero rainbow flyback is the perfect watch IMO

jshell

11,006 posts

204 months

Tuesday 11th October 2016
quotequote all
Zenith have been referred to as: "The Watchmaker's Watchmaker". All you need to know!

michael gould

5,691 posts

240 months

Tuesday 11th October 2016
quotequote all
Owned by LVMH and considered to be their premier brand ......I owned a Zenith Elite in platinum and I regret selling it......gorgeous watch and highly regarded movements ....... they loose a packet so buy pre-owned.





Edited by michael gould on Tuesday 11th October 10:56

TheJimi

24,862 posts

242 months

Tuesday 11th October 2016
quotequote all
LaurasOtherHalf said:
el stovey said:
TheJimi said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
In all honestly until I read this forum I thought they were a budget brand alongside Timex etc.
I'm struggling to believe this, tbh.

Unless you've *never* looked in the display window of a decent jewellers, it would be fairly obvious that Zenith are just a wee bit more high end that Timex!
They're not that well known as a brand really. You don't see them plastered all over Grand Prix tracks and tennis courts or on James Bond, They're certainly not the go to watch brand for Russian criminals or anyone else out to show they can afford a nice watch like Rolex or other "I've made it" brands. I just asked my wife if she'd heard of zenith watches and she hadn't. I've certainly pointed them out on many occasions to her. hehe
This, advertising works evidently.
No, the Mk1 eyeball works. In that all you need to do is glance in a display window to see that they aren't Timex competitors.

What I find confusing is that you seem to be someone with at least a passing interest in watches. I just find it very hard to believe that you've never seen them in a display window.

PJ S

10,842 posts

226 months

Tuesday 11th October 2016
quotequote all
jshell said:
Zenith have been referred to as: "The Watchmaker's Watchmaker". All you need to know!
You’re confusing Zenith with Jaeger LeCoultre – given the number of movements they’ve supplied to other brands.

Hoofy

76,253 posts

281 months

Tuesday 11th October 2016
quotequote all
BaronVonVaderham said:
hehe So what you're saying is that people have probably looked through a Zenith window to see premium brand watches? The watchmaker's windowmaker.

jshell

11,006 posts

204 months

Tuesday 11th October 2016
quotequote all
PJ S said:
jshell said:
Zenith have been referred to as: "The Watchmaker's Watchmaker". All you need to know!
You’re confusing Zenith with Jaeger LeCoultre – given the number of movements they’ve supplied to other brands.
No, I don't think it's based solely on movements supplied...