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

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 as well, but the firmly stated that he would only deal with the bona fide watch brands and nothing else.
Thus, I think the division in to watch houses and 'luxury brands which also produce watches' is pretty much up to Jean-Claude's liking.
A final word to TAG (as we are discussing the El Primero Favre-Jacot here...): I am not sure the alliance with Google and Intel on the smart watch is a good one. Like it or not, the luxury buyers are mainly rooted in the Apple iOS ecosystem, and the TAG smartwatch pairs badly with this. There are other reasons why I would be very cautious, but I leave this for a separate discussion (and yes, I am preparing larger article on this ;-)). But one word: I think Apple played the watch card better than the watch industry did with their smart watches... go figure!
And i fully agree with you that the shake-up and stir in LVMH's watch division has to settle some day. Its time to get work done and yield results.
Best,
Magnus

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'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 ...

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

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

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...