I'll try to better elaborate my pov

I'm not the man who can express judgements and I beg your pardon in advance if I'll write rubbish. It's not an easy period for swiss-based watch business and everyone, without exception, have to move very carefully.

You've correctly mentioned Jean-Claude Biver. An authentic big. But I wouldn't take for granted he can realize miracles, all alone. Nobody can realize them without adequate supports.

In my opinion, between the brands he directly controls, it's only Hublot that's running like a train. And I think it's interesting to underline that Hublot is having a remarkable technical growth and not only a commercial boom. Sure enough, for Hublot have been allocated important investments to enlarge the production capabilities towards a higher degree of independence.

About Zenith: you've already written...

About Tag Heuer... the alliance with Google and Intel has just barely started. But I'm not so happy with the Brand declassification, both because of its beautiful history and because in recent years they have showed a strong creative verve. It's a pity to waste all of those outputs. Please take note that Jean-Christophe Babin, the CEO responsible for that recent development, in 2013 leaved TAG Heuer for Bulgari. His successor, Stéphane Linder, in 2014 went to Gucci just after Patrick Pruniaux, Vice President Sale and Retail, went to Apple. In the meantime, an important company reorganization (to be understood as "layoffs") and JCB as president ad interim.

And finally: I think it wasn't a good move to exclude Bulgari from the range of LVMH's watch brands. It's a rough underestimation to define Bulgari as "a luxury Brand which also produce watches". They have indeed a big patrimony of haute horlogerie excellences.

Let's wait and see, I sincerely hope that all of this confusion will be reduced in clever decisions, smart products and happy customers!

Ciao,

Elio

Hands-on: El Primero Georges Favre-Jacot Titanium - Zenith's Superleggera for the wrist!

By: Ornatus-Mundi : November 18th, 2015-07:17

Probably the quintessential watch for Zenith's 150th Anniversary, the El Primero Georges Favre-Jacot Titanium not only sports a delightful gear train with a constant force-powered 36.000 bph escapement (hence 'El Primero'), but also a very forward looking...

Very nice review Magnus!

By: AnthonyTsai : November 18th, 2015-08:40

This watch is a great combination of sports & dress IMO. How's the sound when you manually wind the crown? Is it noticeable louder than most watches? And nice tactile feel too? Cheers, Anthony

The tactile feel is extremely pleasant and quite different from watches without FC...

By: Ornatus-Mundi : November 23rd, 2015-02:05

as it has a smooth feel with some regular subtle resistance to it. As for the sound - it totally lacks the fine whirr usually associated with winding. Best, Magnus

Ok thanks for the info! [nt]

By: AnthonyTsai : November 23rd, 2015-05:49

It will be interesting to see in which direction Zenith will go in future

By: MTF : November 18th, 2015-14:28

As you said, the El Primero movement is nearly 50 years old. I wonder what would have transpired if the manufacture tools HAD been destroyed as ordered by management? Would Zenith have never survived as a manufacture? Would Rolex never have developed the ...

Definitely, Melvyn, fascinating questions indeed!

By: Ornatus-Mundi : November 20th, 2015-07:26

I have no finite answer to your first two questions, but I assume that (i) would be a 'no', and (ii) a 'perhaps'. Rolex had chronographs in its portfolio before, and the non-availability of the El Primero might have simply delayed the introduction of the ...

Mmmmhhh... that's a double article, Magnus!

By: heartbreaker : November 18th, 2015-14:59

Dear Magnus, Usually, to read your reviews leave me without nothing to add, since you have the rare capability to analyze watches from a lot of point of view, adding everytime something emotional and spicy. This time it's slightly different, since yours i...

Dear Elio, thank you for your thoughtful reply...

By: Ornatus-Mundi : November 20th, 2015-03:04

which speaks out of a deep affection for Zenith. First, regarding your 'major' design criticism of the movement finish. I guess I am with you here. The 'faux Kevlar' is something I would usually criticise heavily, since mocking a surface (treatment, mater...

I'll try to better elaborate my pov

By: heartbreaker : November 20th, 2015-15:25

I definitely think JCB is on a roll and has just started...

By: Ornatus-Mundi : November 22nd, 2015-09:47

re-aligning and streamlining the LVMH watch division. He put Hublot onto track and may have just finished doing so with TAG. Zenith is the next one to get his main attention. I asked Jean-Claude about the other LVMH brands which are in the watch business ...

Thank you for the review!

By: jmpTT : November 26th, 2015-12:29

An interesting watch, for sure. Quite possibly a great watch. The dial side is bold aesthetically and it is successful. I couldn't help but notice that the outer scale, with 1/5th second increments, serves no purpose in the absence of an elapsed seconds h...

Thank you for the excellent review!

By: jmpTT : November 26th, 2015-12:35

An interesting watch, for sure. Quite possibly one of my favourite Zeniths. The dial side is bold, balanced and legible. I couldn't help but notice that the outer scale, with 1/5th second increments, serves no purpose in the absence of an elapsed seconds ...

I am in full agreement with you...

By: Ornatus-Mundi : November 26th, 2015-14:11

on the scale (which I missed, probablograp too much lured away by the chain...). The most important point is how Zenith will retain its position in the future. The taks is to develop a successor to the El Primero which basically could redefine the automat...