I still think Zenith is somewhat under-rated. Note that I think they brought it onto themselves as well. Have you seen those ridiculous large Flieger-type wathes lately?
Some I have and had:
Yep, love mine.
It's a shame that they are not widely known in some areas (USA), they get confused with the old electronics manufacturer!
Last edited by Thorien; 30th October 2014 at 21:59.
I've not yet had the pleasure of owning a Zenith, but would love to try one some day. That 410 LE is a beaut, as of course are all the others here.
They are very under rated, I don't currently own one but they are one of my favourite brands.
Under rated how? Most WIS know them, their history and the El Primero movement far be it on a watch forum to say it. Their poor marketing and overall presence in the global market plus the fact ole Thierry was at the helm for awhile could provide a better answer as to why they seem to flounder.
Old Zilla bangs his marketing drum about Swiss brands using marketing to their advantage... well...guess what... it works and Zenith doesn't use it enough. Call it patting yourself on the back in public but until the general public sees what the minority WIS brigade does the brand will suffer.
WIS do not make the watch market...I know the truth hurts.
I dunno if they're underrated, as JK notes WIS are well down with the brand in both the new models and the vintage and the history behind them and prices follow accordingly. Rightfully so. Zenith have had some real game changers going on in their history.
Here's my early 30's family piece, surrounded by some of the tools of its trade/history(the Stuka was bigger in reality mind you and no my family weren't nazis );
So far I'm winning on the ancient front. Though on the cool front going by the folks so far I'm lagging well behind.
Personally I'd give my left and possibly my right spherical organ of generation for one of these, the Heuer Bund done with real class;
If one of you has one, let me say I both hate and admire you in equal measure. But the hate is winning out.
Great post Wibbs! Also some lovely pics of Zeniths from other posters
I too don't think Zenith are an under-rated brand either. Everytime I'm in a European city I generally see Zenith proudly displayed in jeweller's windows alongside Omega, Breitling etc. Buame et Mercier probably qualify as an under-rated brand in my opinion.
Here's my two:
Cheers!
Mark
I have a soft spot for Zenith...
Especially as it's been away over 6 months at LVMH
z
The majority of them are ruined by having the date at four. I'd have just left it out completely.
Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!
I must admit, I can look at Rolexes, JLCs, Pateks, most TAG Heuers, Omegas and Breitlings and many other brands and not feel a hint of desire, but if I encounter a Zenith AD I always come away thinking I really must have one one day.
I have similar feelings about Girard Perregaux, but I suspect it'll be the Zenith itch that gets scratched sometime.
M
Here's my contribution.
Never really gave them much thought, always associated them with designs that didn't do it for me, but trips to Basel over the past few years has changed that for me.
Malc
My favorite
I only have the one Zenith....but it's a belter..:)
I'm getting ever more impressed with the Zenith Sporto I recently got:
I'm also doing a project with a 1930s chronometer movement, I did have some pics which I can't find right now, sorry...
I'd really like this one day:
Last edited by BernardF; 1st November 2014 at 01:38.
For me, of the manual Zeniths the 277 and Cairelli stand out, amongst the autos then the above first generation DeLuca and of course the A384/5/6 featuring the original 3019 El Primero.
I only have one, the A386, but have half an eye on the aforementioned for a little more Zenithness in the collection at a future date!
I love Zenith. A vintage Zenith on a Gay Frères ladder bracelet is simply brilliant. I never owned one yet (which is ridiculous), but would really love to.
Fantastic heritage:
-vintage Defy's (like Jeroens')
-the legendary A386
-the fantastic Tipo CP2
-De Luca
-Prime
and many more!
There's a WTB for one of those... lhttp://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...rard-perregaux!
Oh sorry, forgot about that. Doesn't really matter, not looking for 1 anymore (there was one for sale on the Bay recently). Just spent last of my watch budget last weekend so I'm off the market for now. But the reference no. is 4946 for that one. It's a stunner: http://gp.watchprosite.com/show-foru...ti-790333/s-0/
I've always loved the brand. That bottle of Aberlour ain't bad either. All you need now is a bottle of Edradour.
Bruichladdich and Glenrothes remain here... Will have to stock up again ;)
Of all my watches my Zenith is my favourite:
I'm still very fond of this:
I should wear it more often.
My current Zenith Rainbow (FSOT blatant plug haha).
Used to have an A3817 before selling it on here too.
Well I certainly have a soft spot for them, though mine has only gone on to cost me even more money since I just had to get a rose gold belt buckle and cufflinks...