80's and 90's zeniths can be lovely, much nicer than most recent stuff.
When I was back home in Yorkshire for the Oxenhope Straw Race yesterday, I got an oppourtunity to look at/wear a new watch of my dad's. It is a 1998 Zenith Chronomaster hand-wound Elite in gold. WOW was I impressed, I loved it! Sadly I don't have any pictures, as I didn't have my camera.
Normally gold watches aren't for me (my dad dislikes too, but you could only get this watch in gold or platinum), but I loved this one. The dial quality is the finest I have seen. It is Breguet esq, but of a higher quality. The diameter must be 36 or 37mm ish, but it is very thin, so is wonderfully comfortable to wear.
This is the first Zenith I have really looked at and it has really impressed me. It has so much more class than most of the vile pieces Zenith have been making recently.
I have just leant my dad one of my watches for a few weeks, so hopefully I'll get a chance to borrow the Zenith some later in the summer. And yes, I'll try to post some pictures.
80's and 90's zeniths can be lovely, much nicer than most recent stuff.
Thanks for the tip off guys I shall have a look on the net :)
A few have come up lately at watches.co.uk for around the 2k mark; not bad for an 18k watch with a movement as nice as the Zenith Elite. The Elite calibre is great; 55 hour power reserve and date setting in both directions.
I love Zenith watches, very underestimated IMO. A bit like Jaeger, the thinking WIS's watch. Yes I know in recent years things went a bit awry, but the brand is still 'there' and things are looking up for the future.
This is my favourite & one that always travels with me on holiday with my GMTII.
Sometimes I just stare at the face and study it for no apparent reason, everything is just right about this piece.
Any excuse to post a pic of my Zenith el Primero Chronomaster Moon:
A beauty & class. :love4:Originally Posted by clockworks