Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

And it is awesome. It may sound like it has a slightly anachronistic name, but rest assured its origins are savory. Famed for its starring role on the cover of Manfred R?sslers book, The Zenith A3818 Cover Girl with its identifiable minuterie is a stone-cold classic thats been given a red hot makeover.I say makeover, but its really more like necromancy. The Revolution ?bZenith A3818 Cover Girl watch became part of brand lore when it was featured on the cover of R?sslers retrospective. As one of the best watchmaking books ever written (seriously, it contains a wealth of interesting brand information), the famous facade fell into legend almost immediately.Vintage vibeThe models case, which wa [...]

When the Zenith El Primero A384 Revival hit the market to celebrate the iconic movement's 50th anniversary in 2019, it was a sight for sore eyes. While the strap last year's model arrived on was nice, the newly-released ladder bracelet takes this offering to another level.Pun intended. And to clarify before I forge on, A sight for sore eyes is a good thing. It means a salve, a remedy, a tonic for aching peepers. I only find it necessary to make that clear because I said it to my German girlfriend once, and I spent the night in the dog house because she thought I was insulting her. With potential misinterpretations out of the way, I will say this: Never underestimate the effect of a good brac [...]

Prepare yourself for a strap frenzy as six new references join the Zenith Defy Classic Midnight family. Still, in the name of personal expression, thats no bad thing.To side-step what Im sure could have been an eloquent, poetic opening gambit as to why we need to look at the night sky and consider all the magnitudinous questions of our existence, I will say this: Gradient dials are pretty. Ive always been a fan of them. I dont much care whether they are inspired by an achingly beautiful celestial scene, or by the darkening waters of the briny deep. I see two colors, slowing becoming one another, and I like it. And so, to my eyes at least, the Zenith Defy Classic Midnight watches have somethi [...]

With three special edition releases under their collective belt already, Zenith and Land Rover explore a new direction, dressing the Defy 21 model in an ultra-contemporary color scheme.It was way back in 2016 that Zenith first announced its partnership with Land Rover. The model that celebrated this collaboration was called the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Range Rover Special Edition. It was quickly followed by the brands second effort (the Chronomaster El Primero Range Rover Velar), which was little more than a color update to the first. The third watch produced by these two powerhouses, however, was something rather special. The Zenith Defy Classic Range Rover special edition watch made [...]

Welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame where you, the reader, get to vote on whether you think the watch in question is a fair deal or not.? Let's see what you think of today's multi-colored mechanical, the Zenith Rainbow Flyback.But before we get to the Zenith Rainbow Flyback, let's talk about last week's contestant, the Seiko Marinemaster 300.? First of all, we hit a record number of overall votes and comments, so thanks for that.? But more importantly, 58% of you felt that paying well north of $2K for a Seiko is a good deal.? How about that?? Now, there were some vocal opponents out there who clearly don't like their watches like their steaks- and that means thick.? The Seiko is one c [...]

Although Zenith still produces watches way beyond my comfort zone, Im glad they remember and honor their past as well. In most of the currently available model lines (DEFY, Chronomaster, Elite, and Pilot), conservative models can be found. I see the Zenith DEFY Classic 41 mm as one of them.Im a great fan of most integrated bracelet(*) watch models. So yes, I like the Patek Philippe Nautilus, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the IWC Ingenieur, and the Vacheron Constantin 222 and Overseas. I like the Girard Perregaux Laureato, and I could have liked the Piaget Polo S if its bracelet, quality-wise, hadnt been such a disaster. Ultimately, I have to admit that it even might be possible that Im goin [...]

Zenith kicked off the 50th anniversary of the El Primero with a trio of watches first shown during, but not at, SIHH in January.? At Baselworld 2019, the celebration continued with additional pieces the brand that the brand has named Zenith El Primero A386 Revival.It was only a couple months ago that we first laid eyes upon Zenith's 50 Years of El Primero Anniversary Set.? It was a set offering three different expressions of the famous movement that first debuted in 1969.? A futuristic Defy, a modern Chronomaster, and a re-edition of the original A386 were included in this run of 50 sets for 50,000 CHF.? We liked the notion, but most of us vintage grouches were really hoping for either a lim [...]

I like to keep things simple. I know theres a skeletonized dial version of the Zenith Defy Classic, yet I prefer the reference with this beautiful blue dial. It doesnt distract that much from the beautiful case design and its combination of brushed and polished finishing.Zenith is that sympathetic brand from Le Locle, where Berti and I went to a few years ago to have a look inside the manufacture. You can find our report here (with lots of images). Ever since (and before), a Zenith is high on my list, but I always only considered to buy one of the El Primero models. Like the colourful Rainbow Flyback Chronograph from the 1990s. Does this new Defy Classic change my wishes for a Zenith? Lets h [...]

Only late in 2016 (October), the famous chronograph manufacturer from Le Locle?came out with their Zenith Heritage Cronometro TIPO CP-2. This model refers to the famous (and sought-after) Zenith Cairelli chronographs from the 1960s. A. Cairelli was the Rome-based distributor for a number of watch brands, including Zenith.?Zenith Cronometro TIPO CP-2The Italian Air Force chose (amongst others) Zenith chronograph for their pilots and Cairelli did the delivery?for them. 2500 of these Zenith Cairelli chronographs were delivered to pilots and this original?Zenith Cronometro TIPO CP-2 was used by them till the late 1970s. The original version didnt have an El Primero chronograph movement of course [...]

El Primero Zenith Heritage Pilot Ton-upZenith is one of those brands you can hardly go wrong with. Whether it is vintage or a watch from their modern collection, there is plenty to choose from. How come? Simple. The El Primero movement. It was one of the first automatic chronograph movements on the market in 1969. A strong competition was going on back in the day between Seiko, Zenith and a joint-venture of Breitling, B1ren and Heuer. All three companies came up with a new self-winding chronograph movement. More than 50 years later, the Zenith El Primero is the last one standing from those three firsts. The Zenith El Primero movement is still in production and also being used in the new Ze [...]

When the watch craze begun for me, somewhere in the 1990s, I met with a watchmaker (who I became friends with) who had this interest in Zeniths El Primero chronograph movements. Oh, and gold watches. He showed me his Zenith El Primero Chronomaster?with full calendar in gold and I was sold. Every time I see this watch be it in gold or stainless steel I remind myself to buy that watch at some point.So, when Zenith contacted me whether we would be interested in doing a review and photo shoot on their Zenith Elite Chronograph Classic I immediately said yes. A while ago Bert and I traveled to Switzerland to do a little tour visiting watch manufacturers and one of them was Zenith (you can find t [...]

Hot on the heels of the Fratello team's visit to Zenith in Le Locle, it's time to talk more Zenith.A joke, you say?? It's not April 1st and this isn't a comedy site.? So, really, does your author truly have the audacity to bring the commonplace Seiko 6139 chronograph into the ring against the legendary, and FAR more valuable, Zenith A386 El Primero?? Well, if you clicked on this, you likely noticed loads of prose.? So, the simple answers are: this is no joke and I will attempt to convince you that these two timepieces are worthy of a battle royale.? In the end, though, you'll likely want both in your collection.First, let's discuss a little history.? In the 60's, with a large shift to automa [...]

Just before year-end and thus before the 150th anniversary of the Zenith Manufacture, Bert and I visited the impressive and big building in Le Locle (Switzerland) to see with our own eyes what Zenith is about these days.A friend of mine collects (mainly vintage) Zenith El Primero watches and Ive always been very interested in their classics like the Chronomaster (with moon phase) and their El Primero Rainbow Fly-Back from the 1990s. When Zenith was headed by CEO Nataf I lost interest in the brand to be honest and only after his successor Dufour put Zenith back on the horological map for enthusiasts (a.o. with the introduction of the Zenith El Primero Striking 10th) my interest was triggered [...]

For 8 long years (2001-2009), Thierry Nataf (ex-CEO of Zenith) did a great job in destroying a brand that was one of the few well respected chronograph manufacturers. With flamboyant designs, parties and ditto prices, Nataf knew how to step on the toes of watch lovers and collectors. Zenith wasnt Zenith anymore. Although the use of certain high-tech materials were welcome, he succeeded in ruining designs. The Zenith Defy and Defy Xtreme watches really make me wonder what people are thinking when buying this watch. Terrible. Ariel Adams of aBlogToRead once did a nice article on the resemblence between Nataf and that other Precious Lover.Anyway, since I started using Twitter recently, I stumbl [...]