Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

When you are a watch collector, and especially one of chronographs, owning a watch with a Zenith El Primero movement is probably on your list (if not already in your box). If it is, you and I are kindred spirits. The El Primero is a legend of the industry. Since its launch more than 50 years ago now, it has never been held in anything but the highest esteem. It is one of the most elegant and expertly conceived calibers in history. Perhaps the toughest question for watch collectors hoping to add this icon to their stable is exactly which one to choose? By the looks of this new Chronomaster Revival Safari reference 97.T384.400/57.C856, this could be the one. But is it?I love a green dial on wa [...]

We all like the three, differently colored sub-dials on a Zenith chronograph, don't we? It's a distinct look for sure. And it stands for something; it clearly says In know my chronographs. But that connoisseur-approved look can also be very present. What if you want something a bit more understated. The distinguished Zenith El Primero 36,000vph Chronograph 42mm with its black dial could just be the chronograph for you.I don't want to step on anyone's toes so I'm not going to make a ranking based on qualities, but I think the unofficial chronograph Top 3 must include the Rolex Daytona, the Omega Speedmaster, and a Zenith El Primero-powered model. But which El Primero? Is it going to be the El [...]

This year, Zenith dropped a modern update to the legendary El Primero Chronograph: the Chronomaster Sport. With such an iconic watch receiving an update, there was naturally a lot of coverage, and it was quite a marmite design. On the one hand, people loved the classic A338 blueprint brought in the modern age with a ceramic bezel and up-to-date aesthetic. However, the other hand had people less than enthralled that Zenith dared to touch the timeless A386. Some people felt it looked a particular little like a chronograph from a neighboring Swiss brand-The Chronomaster Sport: now in rose gold!Either way, the new Chronomaster Sport was sportier and cleaner, featuring updated aesthetics and impr [...]

Fidel Castro smoked his cigars with a Rolex GMT-Master and a gold Datejust on the same wrist. Winston Churchill had a Breguet rattrapante minute repeater pocket watch close at hand. Zenith doesn't need a revolutionary or a statesman to make the cigar/watch connection, it does so all by itself. And has been doing so since 2016 when Zenith created a special El Primero Cohiba chronograph for the cigar brand's 50th anniversary. Five years later the Zenith Chronomaster Open Cohiba 55th Anniversary Edition watch debuts.The fact that cigar smokers, no matter how famous they are, wear watches is nothing to write about. What is interesting though is the fact that both high-end cigars and high horolog [...]

We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. While the daily routine is largely focused on the most recent developments in the world of watches, the most fun for many of us lies in the world of vintage watches. It's a world full of history, remarkable watches, incredible stories, and quirky details. It inspired us to come up with a series of articles focusing on the best watches per decade from a select group of brands. Some of them priceless, some of them still affordable. But all of them are interesting watches. In this installment, we will take a look at the best Zenith watches from the 1960s.In the 1960s, we witnessed developments that challenged the status quo o [...]

Zenith has been showing a lot of love for its DEFY family over the last month or so. Weve seen some colorful new additions, all designed to show off a different side of the advanced chronographs character. Now the Swiss brand has released a new iteration of the DEFYs identity. Today we welcome the Zenith DEFY Extreme to the family!Zenith likes to be creative with the DEFY collection; just look at the DEFY 21 Felipe Pantone or the DEFY 21 Ultrablue. The Extreme name does give a pretty good indication of what the new watches entail. I saw the name before I saw the photos, and I immediately thought it would be a rugged upgrade. I was correct Think of the robust armor upgrade of the Royal Oak Ch [...]

Colors have become a bit of a thing in watchmaking over the last year or so. This is something I am very much for. Colors are fun, and watch collecting should also be equally as fun, therefore watch collecting should be colorful. Im not a mathematician, but that makes for a pretty compelling argument in my books The new Zenith Spectrum series is a perfect example of this.Some brands have embraced this comeback with arms wide open, and Zenith has to be commended for being one such brand. The Swiss brand has happily used colors in various ways across its DEFY line in the past few years. Weve seen colored ceramic cases and different colored dials, and even movements. Weve mainly seen blues, gre [...]

This week, Balazs and Rob tackle the subject of watch brand ambassadors in the four major professional sports leagues in North America.Amazingly, six episodes in, this is a topic that hasnt been fully addressed. In our pilot episode, we touched upon Tom Bradys ambassadorship for IWC but he is far from alone in the NFL, with Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings coming in atop Balazs list of football-playing watch lovers and Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers is Robs pick.The MLB throws up a couple of throwbacks, with Balazs stretching all the way back to the fifties for his selection. Rob, meanwhile, reaches back about a decade to call upon a superstar that played in the modern era.T [...]

I remember when Zenith first released the Defy 21 back in 2017. I was invited to a showcase event where many of the new watches from that years Baselworld. It was the first time I was able to see these watches up close and personal. I was rather excited as that year had seen a few new watches released that I was eager to see up close and personal. One of these was the Zenith Defy 21.The Zenith El Primero Defy 21 was a big update and upgrade on the original El Primero movement from 1969. The movements frequency was given a bump up from 5Hz to 50Hz, in turn giving a considerable increase in timing precision from 1/10th of a second to 1/100th of a second for chronograph readings. This means tha [...]

I am happy to admit that my taste in watches spans from the classic and reserved to the more out there and wacky pieces. Ive made no secret of my love for avant-garde and non-traditional watch design. Its not always easy for brands to step outside of conventional design, either by their own self-imposed boundaries or by what they perceive to be their fanbases boundaries. Sometimes, these boundaries can only be overcome by the input of someone not connected with the brand or its history.Such collaborations can often end one of two ways. A big swing and miss, or something which adds a valuable point of difference and indication that a brand is willing to experiment with creativity. Today I am [...]

For the purposes of this article, I?counted all the vintage and modern timepieces in my collection. I?never realized that the latter represents less than 3% in my three-digit plus collection. Well, that number is going to increase slightly. Blame the Zenith Revival El Primero A385.In the pictures, I liked everything about the Revival El Primero A385. The case size, shape and finishing, the dial, and color mix. The question was would I enjoy the movement, proportions, and a bit of that 1970s flair as much live on my wrist? Let's take it step-by-step.The Revival El Primero A385 vs. the Chronomaster SportA?quick warm-up. Have you seen Mike's recent TwoForTuesday article featuring the two new El [...]

I greet you with the warmest of welcomes here on Wrist Game or Crying Shame. This week, Im bringing you the Zenith Epervier El Primero and the opportunity to enter high grade horology for a song. But firstLast week, I showed you a white gold Speedmaster Moonphase from right around the turn of the century. You folks thought enough of it to carry it to a 70% Wrist Game win. The real story, though, is about one of our readers. Klaus Zimmermann filed a written complaint about yet another Speedmaster article. I responded and gave him full license to choose a more suitable watch for this weeks article. Sadly, Klaus did not return with a suggestion. Therefore, I have been left to my own devices thi [...]

Its time for Two For Tuesday where we pit two watches against each other that you just might find yourself hemming and hawing over at the local boutique. Were moving at a fast pace here with the high-frequency Zenith Chronomaster Sport and the Chronomaster Revival A385.Its already been quite a January for chronograph lovers. The month kicked off with a brace of steel Speedmaster models. Not to be outdone, Zenith has also dropped not one, but two new El Primero chronographs. One is the all-new Chronomaster Sport and the other is the retro Chronomaster Revival A385. Which will you choose?ZenithLets just start this discussion by saying that I really like Zenith. Within the annals of watch histo [...]

Last year, LVMH brands Bulgari, Hublot, and Zenith held a lavish event in Dubai, showcasing their latest and greatest. Sadly, that is not possible in 2021, but that does not mean that well go without any timepieces. On the contrary, Zenith has prepared four fresh models for us. Along with new watches like the Chronomaster Sport and the Chronomaster Revival A385, we will see an iteration of the Defy 21 called Urban Jungle, as well as the Pilot Type 20 Silver Chronograph.For Zenith, 2021 is the year of Chronomaster, as the brand puts it, and it could not be more true. Aside from a vintage classic rendition, the A385, the Swiss brand also released its all-new Chronomaster Sport model, an exciti [...]

As always, a lot happened this week in the watch world. COVID-19 ain't gonna stop us Some cool watches launched, and it's challenging to pick just a few things. We did get some colorful releases, so I'm christening this the colorful edition. Here are some of my favorites from the past week.Zenith Pilot Type 20I'm a big fan of Zenith and what they've been doing lately. As ever, watch design is very subjective, but Zenith has been ticking a lot of boxes for me. This week they launched a new version of their Type 20 Pilot's watch. It has a fascinating blue dial, and when looking at it, the nickname Blueprint makes sense. It adds a nice colorful flash to the model lineup.a matte blue base showin [...]

Welcome to This Week in Watches for June 6, 2020 the surprising edition. There were some unexpected releases this week so lets take a look!Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer ManufactureIts always surprising to see a Frederique Constant in gold and I must say that this weeks Classic Worldtime Manufacture was a pleasant one. FC will make a maximum of 88 of these world timers with a polished 42mm rose gold case. The in-house FC-718 automatic toils away and allows the wearer to rotate an inner bezel via the crown. With its dark blue dial and striking details, I think this is a serious looker. And while FC might not be your first choice when youre considering a mega spend, this one comes in a [...]

If youre looking for a great story, check the attic. Zenith knows this all too well as the story of the revival of the famous El Primero movement revolves around the attic of their Zenith Manufacture building. In 1975, now Zenith legend Charles Vermot hid all the technical plans and tools necessary to produce every component of the famous El Primero movement.? Among them, a box of prototype dials for the El Primero A386 that were never used in production. Until now, with the introduction of the Zenith Chronomaster Revival A386 Manufacture Edition.It has been great to see that Zenith has been gracing us with a string of excellent releases lately. The most loved ones amongst watch enthusiasts [...]

The Zenith Piggy Bank proves marketing genius lives for centuries. This is the story of a clock that helped people save money.? I met my friend Matej a few weeks after he lent me his Seiko Superior to be reviewed for 52Mondayz. I was about to give him the Seiko back when my subconscious autopilot threw a mandatory question at him. The one all curious watch nerds give and get all the time: Any new vintage additions to your watch collection? As proven on multiple occasions, I didn't even have to wait until he opened his mouth. I knew immediately I would hear something that would keep me from sleeping.Zenith Piggy BankMatej mumbled first about some Seiko watches he likes a lot, then jumped over [...]

Another week has gone by. It turns out not even James Bond is immune to the Coronavirus. But in happier news, a raft of new watches hit the market. With many new models, Grand Seikos 60th-anniversary celebration really took off this week. Were keeping you in the loop on that with our various articles on the subject. But we havent forgotten the other novelties and news as well. Enjoy some of it grouped here in This Week In Watches.CWC T20 QuartzIn 1980, the British Ministry Of Defence released a tender specification for the first quartz watch issued to all branches of the British forces. While the tonneau-shape case? employed by the 70s mechanical models was specified, the early Swiss quartz [...]

Could there be a better place than Dubai to launch a new dazzling watch created especially for Women? Absolutely not There was magic in the air that night The presentation of this new diamond pav timepiece during LVMH Watch Week had an almost?One Thousand and One Nights feel. Seeing as the Defy family has become Zenith's signature design of recent years, the ladies version might be considered as a risk-free move these days, but that wouldnt always have been the case. A less elegant silhouette that has an edginess not often seen in womens watches of the last century, this is most definitely a piece for now. But let's see if the new model is what we (the wearers) want from a contemporary time [...]