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Thread: Zenith Chronomaster 38mm

  1. #1

    Zenith Chronomaster 38mm

    I'm undecided which colour to get. Least favourite is grey. Blue and grey can be had at a decent discount but not the white one.

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    Last edited by zen123; 11th January 2020 at 19:36.

  2. #2
    Master TimeThoughts's Avatar
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    Excellent watch these, perfect size for me.

    I'm not sure what color to advise you, I'd lean towards blue perhaps.

  3. #3
    Yeah I think the blue is the nicer one.

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  4. #4
    Master
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    The white one is stunning, having owned one.

    I always liked the look of the blue though.

  5. #5
    Really cool watch especially the white one but no money for it

  6. #6
    Master
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    Surprised the blue one goes at a discount . They are all lovely btw . Nice choice to have

  7. #7
    Grand Master RustyBin5's Avatar
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    I prefer the blue, although it’ll depend what gaps you have in your collection. I agree the grey holds least appeal although it is the more classic look.

  8. #8
    I'm kind of 60/40 in preference to white, but no discounts available on white. Easy 20% on blue and grey though.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark lowman View Post
    Surprised the blue one goes at a discount . They are all lovely btw . Nice choice to have
    I’d also go with the blue one. Even better if it also sells at a discount.


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  10. #10
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    I wouldn’t be swayed by a discount. I would get the dial I liked the most. An overlooked watch that is on my shortlist

  11. #11
    Master reggie747's Avatar
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    I'd love to try one of these, must get to city centre. IMO, the blue is the one for me.

  12. #12
    Master Gavbaz's Avatar
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    Blue for me too.

    What level of discount do you believe you can get?

  13. #13
    Grand Master RustyBin5's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gavbaz View Post
    Blue for me too.

    What level of discount do you believe you can get?
    20% according to zen above

  14. #14
    Master Gavbaz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RustyBin5 View Post
    20% according to zen above
    Missed that. Blue it is!

  15. #15
    Craftsman RS404's Avatar
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    This in white is one of my all time favourites, not keen on the other dial colours.

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  16. #16
    Master Caruso's Avatar
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    White by a country mile.

  17. #17
    Blue by a country mile!


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  18. #18
    Craftsman
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    White, blue, then grey would be happy with any one.,


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  19. #19
    Master Strnglwhank's Avatar
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    Preferred dial colour is the white but the blue has the 'correct' overlap on the sub dial minute resister. I can't stand the way the grey & white dials do it...

    Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

  20. #20
    Master
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    top right,it looks easier to read.

  21. #21
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    I tried the smaller (37/38mm?) version on a week or so ago and I was very impressed indeed. To be completely honest I can’t swear to the colours available but they had 20% off all Zenith at Owen and Robinson in Leeds.

  22. #22
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Strnglwhank View Post
    Preferred dial colour is the white but the blue has the 'correct' overlap on the sub dial minute resister. I can't stand the way the grey & white dials do it...

    Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
    I never noticed the difference in the dial overlap, why the difference?

  23. #23
    Master
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    Watches of Mayfair have 25/26 percent off all colours

  24. #24
    Craftsman petay993's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by klunk View Post
    I never noticed the difference in the dial overlap, why the difference?

    The dial overlap is on all the old versions and was corrected on the revised current version in all configurations. There is a lot of mixed up stock during the changeover so it pays to check carefully as the non overlap is far better executed.

  25. #25
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    To muddy the waters further, there are a couple of different case profiles too. There is a thread on WUS where someone has analysed it; height of crystal and bezel bevelling IIRC.

    The white (silver) is the one to go for. The darker dials seemed smaller when I tried them on.

  26. #26
    Craftsman petay993's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by phil h View Post
    To muddy the waters further, there are a couple of different case profiles too. There is a thread on WUS where someone has analysed it; height of crystal and bezel bevelling IIRC.

    The white (silver) is the one to go for. The darker dials seemed smaller when I tried them on.
    Could always go for a 42mm

    https://watchesofmayfair.com/brand/z...0-400-53-m2040

  27. #27
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by petay993 View Post
    Too big for me. I am wearing 43mm bronze el Primero which is large but this is tempered slightly by the bezel. I also like the date position on the 38mm.

  28. #28
    I would highly recommend the white. I recently bought one from a forum member having considered the grey option.
    The white is actually more of a silver, great watch with the different dial colours.

  29. #29
    Grand Master
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    Try them both on and make your mind up....what’s so difficult?

    This is one of the few modern watches I like, Zenith El Primero is the daddy of chronograph movements IMO.......but be sure to service it regularly.

  30. #30
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    "Blue and grey can be had at a decent discount but not the white one."

    And for good reason, because of the 3 it's the star.

    So if it's the most popular it's the white, otherwise it's your call!!
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  31. #31
    Master
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    OP,

    When you've got past some internal forum bickering, there's some useful info here about dial overlap and case styles.


    https://forums.watchuseek.com/f27/ze...4984393-5.html

  32. #32
    Grand Master MartynJC (UK)'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    Try them both on and make your mind up....what’s so difficult?

    This is one of the few modern watches I like, Zenith El Primero is the daddy of chronograph movements IMO.......but be sure to service it regularly.
    Why is that? I’m just asking as I have an El Primero in my collection that only gets worn maybe once a month so wasn’t thinking of getting it serviced too regularly - well no differently than my others at around 6-8yrs depending how they run?

    OP: White would be my choice of those.
    Last edited by MartynJC (UK); 12th January 2020 at 11:13.

  33. #33
    Craftsman
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    White, Blue, Grey would be my preference

  34. #34
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    Quote Originally Posted by klunk View Post
    OP,

    When you've got past some internal forum bickering, there's some useful info here about dial overlap and case styles.


    https://forums.watchuseek.com/f27/ze...4984393-5.html
    Thanks for posting, I wasn't aware of the dial and case variations. Some top quality bickering on that thread too!

  35. #35
    Master
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    There is no wrong choice. I like the blue, but due to already having a blue Monaco I chose Grey.. looks great on a bracelet or leather strap






  36. #36
    Craftsman Pupp's Avatar
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    Don't think you'll go far wrong, whichever. I finally added a 42mm El P to my collection over Christmas, and it's a lovely thing.
    Wanted to scratch the Zenith itch for a long time!

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  37. #37
    Master
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    I have the previous version which has a silver coloured dial and I think that shows the subdials well and is a contrast to most of my watches which are dark faced.

    As posted above Owen and Robinson's website says they have 20% off all Zenith so could potentially get the white dial with that discount (although I can't see it listed on the website itself).

  38. #38
    Master
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    As do I, the dial is subtle and in some lights can look like a shade of gold.



    I absolutely love it. Due some TLC this year. A service and new strap I think.

  39. #39
    Master
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    If you aren't concerned about longer term then I think the blue looks gorgeous in the flesh.

    Grey looks subtle and very of the moment too.

    But the white is closer to the original look of the 69/70s ZEP.

    All look ace.

    But... I would say the white is more suited to a strap while the blue and grey look sportier on bracelet.

  40. #40
    Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by MartynJC (UK) View Post
    Why is that? I’m just asking as I have an El Primero in my collection that only gets worn maybe once a month so wasn’t thinking of getting it serviced too regularly - well no differently than my others at around 6-8yrs depending how they run?

    OP: White would be my choice of those.
    The high beat rate means the balance is moving fast, putting more demand on the pivot lubrication, so logically it’ll break down or migrate away earlier. Of more concern is the auto- winding, the wheel that’s driven from the rotor pivots on a pillar that’s part of the mainplate, and that’ll wear if the lubrication dries up. That for me is a weakness in the design.

    I love ‘em, not the easiest to work on but a clever design, the aim was to keep the movement very slim and they certainly achieved that. My Zenith is a late 90s version with a slim case that compliments the design philosophy, it’s a watch I restored after water damage and eventually ended up owning......long story!

    Timekeeping on mine is excellent provided the watch is kept in a high state of wind. It’s not the most efficient self- winder and the mainsprings big, so its best to start off with it fully hand- wound which takes around 60 twists of the crown. Is the high beat rate really worthwhile?..........Rolex thought not when they adapted the design!

  41. #41
    Craftsman TAFKARM's Avatar
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    I tried the blue dial in recently in 38mm. It’s a stub I watch for the money.

  42. #42
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    Going by my preference white > blue > grey. But, I think for the right discount I'd get the blue.

  43. #43
    Thanks for all the input guys. I've decided to go for the white dial, now to find a decent deal on bracelet. I have plenty of leather and other straps I can switch it up to if I want

  44. #44
    Craftsman Pupp's Avatar
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    Looking forward to seeing lots of pics when you land it!

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  45. #45
    I pulled the trigger on the grey one on leather strap. I was almost going to get the white one but only noticed that the minute ring is blue, I prefer if it was black. Also I was afraid that I would tire of the multi coloured dial. After looking at Enoch's picture of his grey one it looked more subdued but still striking at the same time.

    My wife is in Thailand at the moment and she was going to get it from an AD there who without haggling offered 20% she probably could've gotten a bit more if it came down to it. Did some conversion and it wasn't a whole lot less than what Owen & Robinson was selling at. I would have liked it on bracelet but hey ho.

    Quote Originally Posted by Ey-Up View Post
    I tried the smaller (37/38mm?) version on a week or so ago and I was very impressed indeed. To be completely honest I can’t swear to the colours available but they had 20% off all Zenith at Owen and Robinson in Leeds.
    Thanks for the heads up.

  46. #46
    Grand Master
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    Overall, I think the grey dial is the best choice. I like white dials when I see pics, but I haven`t got along with them on the wrist when its a white dial/steel case. Gold is different, I`m OK with white dials and gold (or bimetal). I like blue dials, but grey /black always gets my vote because it matches up better with any colour of clothes.

    I wear my Zenith on a black alligator-style deployant fitted to an Omega-style deployant clasp, both came from eBay and the quality's excellent. Worth considering the options when the strap's due for replacement.

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