Zenith el primero stratos

[m3jappa]

I'm considering buying the above watch in black, I know a few might not like it as it's black and comes with a black croc leather strap. I really like it though

Anyway, it's got box papers etc and is 3.2k. It's almost new worn a couple of times, says he doesn't like it on the wrist (I tried one on and liked it) is this a sensible buy?
Re sale worries me as things like this I may keep forever or a month iykwim. I can't see it loosing too much money at that price.
Here's one I tried on with a Kevlar strap.
What do you reckon?

[AlexC1981]

The price seems reasonable, but when black watches get scratched it really is much more noticeable than on a normal steel coloured case.

[m3jappa]

Umm I didn't think about that, but I see exactly what your saying I'll have to look and see what it's made from and try and guess how hard it would be to scratch.

[glazbagun]

AlexC1981 said:

The price seems reasonable, but when black watches get scratched it really is much more noticeable than on a normal steel coloured case.

This is what puts me off them the most as I really like the black look on a lot of watches. OP, have you seen the Rainbow Stratos in black? Someone on TZ-UK recently sold there's for just shy of £3K. Great looking watch if the coating doesn't worry you:

[m3jappa]

I'm not too keen on the colours of the rainbow iykwim, prefer the stealth look of all black.

I was reading last night the coating is alchron which apparantly is very tough, how tough is the question? It is a sports watch so you'd expect it to be fairly hard wearing.

[don logan]

m3jappa said:

I'm not too keen on the colours of the rainbow iykwim, prefer the stealth look of all black.

I was reading last night the coating is alchron which apparantly is very tough, how tough is the question? It is a sports watch so you'd expect it to be fairly hard wearing.

I own a DLC coated watch (that I have managed to keep unscratched) but from what I've been told Alchron is a completely different story, I was told that scratches are black not silver but do a bit of research and see what people are saying, I think they are really good value at that kind of price and not everyone has one!

[Ikemi]

Do it! Even if you decide to sell it on in a few months time, I doubt you'll be hard pressed to find a buyer, or lose out too much on resale. However your post prompted me to start looking at Zenith watches again ...

I might be in love with a watch I didn't know existed; it's mainly Stratos DNA, with a hint of Chronomaster in the open-heart dial. It's a shame the model is tied in with a yacht team, but fortunately, it doesn't shout about it.

I need to try one on; Zenith El Primero Stratos Spindrift Racing:



Video in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI7_DQQ10rQ

[m3jappa]

I'm now really worried about the scratches. I found a post and a guy had one which after 6 months looked ten years old to be fair to zenith they replaced it, saying it was to so with the ph of his skin?

I've not found a lot else out, apart from it not being solid a solid all the way through black colour which a lot believed it to be, it is still a coating over the alcheron by all accounts.

I've seen a few for sale and a few owners and no other mention of scratches. It may not be a big problem anyway. I know a guy who does watch customisation who could re cost it if needed.

As the watch is new I'm not sure if the warranty is transferable, apparantly he recently registered it.

[AlexC1981]

I think it's more of a problem with black metal bracelets where the links rub against each other and the bracelet gets rested on tables etc. It's probably not so bad if it is only the case that is black metal.

You could always look at black ceramic watches from someone like Rado. Extremely scratch resistant, but they downside of that is they are brittle and can shatter.

[bigkeeko]

They do, admittedly have a stealthy look to them and I did consider black when I bought mine.

In the flesh though it was almost `too` black and although it would have looked fine if you were in a Special Forces unit in normal clothes or a shirt I didn`t see it working. They are something else though and ended up buying one anyway.




As far as losing money goes, you lose on all watches barring a special few. I even lost on my `money in the bank` Milgauss. I had considered selling mine to buy a Zenith Pilot so if you deviate from black I might be tempted. The Pilots are stunning. I`ll be back looking later now .

[Ikemi]

bigkeeko said:

They do, admittedly have a stealthy look to them and I did consider black when I bought mine.

In the flesh though it was almost `too` black and although it would have looked fine if you were in a Special Forces unit in normal clothes or a shirt I didn`t see it working. They are something else though and ended up buying one anyway.

I tried on the Spindrift Racing variant this afternoon and thought exactly the same - The picture I found above is varying degrees of grey, but in reality, the majority of the watch was rather black. It's not a full-on phantom piece, but it's close. My girlfriend said it looked like an £80 eBay special!

However we both loved this! I didn't buy it today, but it's in the shortlist with a few others ...

[AlexC1981]

Ikemi said:

...However we both loved this! I didn't buy it today, but it's in the shortlist with a few others ...

I think I prefer the innards covered up. Puts me in mind of this

[bigkeeko]

Ikemi said:

I tried on the Spindrift Racing variant this afternoon and thought exactly the same - The picture I found above is varying degrees of grey, but in reality, the majority of the watch was rather black. It's not a full-on phantom piece, but it's close. My girlfriend said it looked like an £80 eBay special!

However we both loved this! I didn't buy it today, but it's in the shortlist with a few others ...

Yep. I like that.

A kinda dressier version of mine.



I like the open face though. The El Primero is a work of art and guaranteed to have people asking about it. Also not something you`ll see copies of being pumped out of China like a lot of other brands.

[michael gould]

I recently purchased a Zenith in platinum which I love .......it's a bit more subtle than the others on this post but it is a beautifully made watch

[bigkeeko]

michael gould said:

I recently purchased a Zenith in platinum which I love .......it's a bit more subtle than the others on this post but it is a beautifully made watch

Subtle in comparison but visually very appealing nonetheless.

[lostkiwi]

I quite like this from the Zenith range:


Not absurdly priced either.

[bigkeeko]

lostkiwi said:

I quite like this from the Zenith range:


Not absurdly priced either.

My current favourite Zenith watch. The 48mm version would be too much for me though.

[marcosgt]

AlexC1981 said:

I think I prefer the innards covered up. Puts me in mind of this

Each to their own.

I think it's great to be able to see the movement through the dial, personally.

If I had the cash to spare, I'd have that one too.

It, along with a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, are the only watches I aspire to.

M.

[Chad_Hugo]

I am looking at the chronomaster el primero 1969 (with the open escapement) myself, or possibly an older but dressier 18ct rose gold version, again with the open escapement which is stunning, and just makes the watch come alive.

Zenith are very underrated and quite undervalued not sure why, especially in terms of the used market and precious metal/watches with complications they can be superb value for money if bought well.

Not sure why they are so underrated but their watches are generally beautiful, well made, and are a nice addition to a collection as something different which stands out a bit- I admit I would not choose one as my only watch of course.

Edited by Chad_Hugo on Tuesday 17th November 22:02

[m3jappa]

In terms of used value they do seem underrated which is strange as I don't think I've read a bad word about them.

I think I'm going to get this stratos, I saw the one I tried on again the other day and I really do like it. Hopefully it will be ok with scratches, although it's not like I'll be doing block paving wearing it