Zenith

When I was in Barcelona in 2013, my eyes were attracted by a very nice Zenith watch in the shop window of one of the most famous spanish dealer, Suarez. It was a contemporary Zenith chronograph with an original dial inspired by the past. A few days ago I ...  

Since the movement remains the El Primero and for commercial reasons, it is much better to make it visible. And since there is no specific context for the original watch, what kind of caseback decoration should you have put? Many times, for watches inspir... 

if you want to have the true spirit of the dial, buy a true vintage watch. At least this contemporary watch has other virtues like this visible movement which meets the expectation of the clients. Because in a collector's mind, nothing will replace the re... 

For clients who need to see what's Inside their Watch, at the risk to see something which is not consistent with the era it si supposed to refer to. ( Dial is clearly inspired form the end 30ies, Mid 40ies ), while the movement is clearly inspired from th... 

I don't know what is a "pure marketing" product, I don't know what is a "honest" product, the only thing I can say is that the watches world is much more complex than this duality... Fx

I'll take another edge o this: Why do all watch companies have the feeling that they are expected to release 'homage' models which are clearly inspired by the past. Where is the creativity to create compelling contemporary pieces? In a strict sense the Su... 

I mean, if the brands don't make some efforts on the innovative side. I finally don't get this Suarez, which is limited to 20 pièces, but not for Collectors ( as Collectors would point out the contradictions of this Watch ). I am looking forward to seeing... 

Just an example: the Christophe Colomb. And we also saw a lot examples of very contemporary designs like the Bullitt or the Lightweight. For me, since I think that there is no future for the Elite movement, the most important would be to have a larger ver... 

and giving up on a second, highly regarded in-house movement, by a company that has a considerable reputation as movement manufacturer and has significant production volume, that leaves me a bit scratching my head... But I won't scratch too much because n... 

First of all, this LE is not on its own the summary of the full Zenith trend. Moreover, I think it was a good idea to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the dealer. If you look at the situation at the end of the Nataf period, there was a crucial need to be... 

are you asking for marginal changes? A 'larger EP' - that's exactly what I do not expect from Zenith!!! That's the kind of 'innovations' which would put such a venerable house to shame. IF a give new movement would be larger BECAUSE there is a technically... 

A larger movement requires a full redesign of the movement. It is not a minor change! But the situation becomes urgent now. If you look at the 42mm case, the subdials location obliges to cut the scales which is a shame. So before thinking of... I don't kn... 

I like it ! But is it so easy to order such small LE's ? Can every AD ask for 20 personalized watches ?

When you have strong and long relationships with the brand, when there is a specific event here like the 70th anniversary of Suarez, I think that the agreement was easy to find. Fx

I thought you were comparing an old model to something new then I realized "Vintage Charm". Well executed. As Nico said a solid case back would keep more of the vintage lines. Great review. Thanks Bill

But as I said to Nicolas, I don't think that a solid caseback would have been mandatory here. I was not surprised by the see-through caseback... since the EP is a nice movement to observe. Fx

You are right about that knot. It IS a fishing knot. It is a trademark of Perret & Berthoud, precursor to Universal Geneve, registered in June 1929 and occasionally used on chronograph dials. It is known as the noeud de marine. I am not familiar with ...  

I would love to have a pic of the original watch... Actually, I would like to know why this symbol could be found on the original Zenith watch. Was the dial coming from P & B ? Anyway, thanks a lot for the explanations and pic! Fx

The lion's share of early Zenith chronographs came from Perret & Berthoud...or more correctly, Universal...or even more correctly, Martel, Universal's chronograph movement manufacturer. Zenith had no in-house chronograph until it purchased Martel in 1...  

Thanks for all the info you brought. I tend to agree with you, the context of the original watch is unclear... anyway, I still think that the contemporary watch is nice! ;) Fx

on why you think the story appears to he a 'dog's breakfast' to you? All I have read so far seems like standard operation procedure some decades ago to me ... Thanks, Magnus

I was talking about the El Primero-powered homage of a 1920's watch inscribed to an Italian Lieutenant Colonel made for a Spanish retailer with Universal Geneve dial markings and a background story about firefighters. THAT is a dog's breakfast.

... You showed a great research work here, Mr. Holmes! :) Marcus

...or "rangefinder" in english. Used to calculate distance using sound. Like calculating how far a storm is according to the difference between the lighting and thunder. Again, not sure about this...

It was a hypothesis I looked at but for me it is not. Thanks! Fx

... but for calculating the speed in knots, based on maritime miles (1.85 kilometers), instead of kilometers. I thought on that when reading about the Italian officer, and at a rough estimation, the scales correspond between 60 km/h for one kilometer per ... 

It feels like a mix and match of pieces from their current collection. Numerals and crown from the Type 20's and case, hands and dial from the Captain. It certainly would be interesting to see the original inspiration for this watch. Thanks for the report... 

While I understand the comments from the others... It does speak to me. Nice execution. I wonder how difficult to get one in Hong Kong given it is for Suarez. That's a long trip to pick up a zenith! OpC

A reason to fly to Madrid and to enjoy some nice restaurants? Fx

I have never actually been to Spain before... strange for me to say that as I've been on planes traveling for business much of my adult life. So --- another great reason to visit! OpC

... and I would definitely prefer it over the Pilot series. Marcus