Zenith

 

 

I know somebody who is considering buying this watch.

But I'm a huge Zenith fan so maybe my opinion is biased.

 

We're not talking about the fact is you like the watch or not. This isn't the question. I like it and I know he likes it too

The questions is, would you buy a Zenith tourbillon ?

It is a great complication. Probably the nec plus ultra if youare a watch enthusiast., a tourbillon is something magical.

Ofcourse it is not even close to the looks of a Patek or Lange tourbillon. but on the other hand it's a nice piece for an imo acceptable price.

 

This (steel case) chronograpgh tourbillon costs about the same as 5 el primero's 'striking tenth', 

In other words, quite a lot of money for a watch but for a tourbillon (+ chrono) it might be a bargain.

 

 

Would you consider it ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are the pro's and con's of this piece ... in your opinion ? 

If I could acquire it without mortgaging my house and if I lived on a country with easy access to Zenith maintenance with a blink of a single eye.

It's a holy grail to any serious watch collector.

Cheers,

Nilo

And I like Zenith!

But I was disappointed by the Tourbillon finishings and by the visual effect it gives. Affordable Tourbillon... yes and you see it. I think that there are so many other options at Zenith!

Fx

Is a Tourbillon the Nec Plus Ultra complication?

First of all, I don't see it as a complication, but as a sophistication. A Complication is something which adds another function to the hours and minutes: It can be a date, a GMT, an Alarm, a WT, a Minute Repeater, a Chronograph,, well all but not a Tourbillon.

Then,, there are tourbillons and Tourbillons.

To me, it has to play in two categories, ( cumulative or alternative, as you want )...

- A superbly designed one.

- A sophisticated one, such as a Sphero / Gyro Tourbillon.

A simple one, llike the one you show, doesn't play in ANY of these categories.

Therefore, I still wonder what it does here, on this dial...

But you asked for an honest opinion, which is worth nothing if your friend loves it. In this case, he should listen to his heart, not to me / us.

Best,

Nicolas

No message body

I have a Zenith Chronomaster that I bought some 10 years ago. I still love it. So, I really like Zenith.
However, I couldn't warm up to this watch because it doesn't seem to be coherent. What does it wants to be?

So, no for me , but like others said, perhaps a big yes to our friend!

Br,
Dirk (fellow countryman )

the tourbillon was located in the back side and it was a manual wind. A modified handound el primero with a tourbillon would be great. 

I would, as Kari suggests, definitely go for JLC, of course it wouldn't have a chronograph but the finish of the tourbillon is much nicer. My 2 australians cents.

Cheers. Francois

 

JLC Master Tourbillon in SS.

.... But I would vote 'no' too.  While a tourbillon is an incredible mechanism, the overall package of this piece just doesn't feel right with me.  I would rather spend the money on the other fantastic models they have at Zenith.

I wouldn't...not this model, at least.

My reasons for this are simple:

1) The movement is not new; this is the same tourbillon movement with minor changes made as some of the Nataf-era tourbillons, for example the Academy tourbillons, which in my eyes was a much nicer looking watch.  Zenith, recently, appears that they're "recycling" some of their older Nataf-era watches/parts in making newer ones; this model in particular is an example of what I mean by that.

2) It doesn't have the "pop" (IMHO) that I'd expect from a 5-6 figure watch.  Sure, it's a wonderful movement, and the design is simple and easy to read...but if you're buying a watch like this, it's not really to tell time, is it?

To answer your question about whether or not I'd buy (any) Zenith Tourbillon, it'd stem down to: If I was in a position to buy one and not suffer extreme financial losses by doing so, then yes.

I feel that this would be a bad 'rookie move'. Imagine the disaster of trying to resell this watch. But even without the 'suicidal' resale value, there are countless better choices for a tourbillion. I would strongly advise your friend to choose carefully--and only buy the Zenith after waiting at least 6 months to be sure he truly wants it--and ONLY it. Otherwise, RUN.

Tell your friend to wait a few years, and if he still likes it, he will be able to buy this watch, still new, but at a 30-40% discount.  Other brands hold their value much better, but although I am a big fan of Zenith, it falls in the same catagory as Corum in term of holding value (although I think Bruno.M1 and my Type 20's will buck the trend ) 

I have just been quoted a price for this watch. Extremely attractive at that price point. i can't think of other quality Tourbillons from other quality Swiss brands that even come close to this value for money proposition. If your friend likes the styling then he should go for it. Still for me, and for that type of money, I would rather go for GO Senator Diary, a PP 5205G,  or a JLC Master Grande Reveil. But if he needs the Tourbillion.....

5 years ago, when the previous CEO made them too expensive,  they lost a lot when you sold them.

Today Zenith's are a bargain even at listprice WITHOUT any discount. And this is something you see in the secondhand market.

Most of them don't loosethat much. No more than other brands

 

Pros

El primero=reliability
When you make the same movement for 40 years, you begin to know what you do

Accuracy,
Should be awesomely precise when you think of 36'000 alternances + tourbillon

Cons
movement finishing the same as on their basic chronos
It is neat but here for a tourbillon, lacking à little bit of bevelling, etc
But for the price, you cannot ask more

Conclusion

Like with a woman, if your friend has emotions when looking at this timepiece, why wait
In the same price category and quality you have the jlc but without the chrono and not 36'000 beats

Pros

El primero=reliability
When you make the same movement for 40 years, you begin to know what you do

Accuracy,
Should be awesomely precise when you think of 36'000 alternances + tourbillon

Cons
movement finishing the same as on their basic chronos
It is neat but here for a tourbillon, lacking à little bit of bevelling, etc
But for the price, you cannot ask for more

Conclusion

Like with a woman, if your friend has emotions when looking at this timepiece, why wait
In the same price category and quality you have the jlc but without the chrono and not 36'000 beats