I had both the 38 and 42 EP. Both are beautiful to admire and wear. But eventually I sold the 38mm. I still wear the 42mm in my rotation. I'm average size wrist and 5'8 tall. The 42 feels a smidge big and the 38 a smidge small. LOL. But in the end the 42 won.

 

Oh my goodness, you've asked the same exact question I've been pondering for MONTHS!!! I've wanted to buy one of these gorgeous El Primero's on the year my daughter was born (2020) and simply couldn't decide on which size. With COVID, etc. I wasn't able to get to a store to try one on as that's really the only way I am going to be able to decide. Then about 6 months after the lil' nipper arrived my fiancé bought me the new 44.5mm white racing Speedmaster so my purchase was put on a backburner for a while, but I'm still going to get one.

And then they introduced another beauty of a Zenith in the new Chronomaster Sport with the ceramic bezel! WTF!! The decision has now become more difficult although at $10k it makes the new model a tough pill to swallow!

 

Obvioulsy the solution is to have both, like you! Thanks for the photos, very helpful. BTW, how do you like the ladder bracelet? it doesn't look very comfortable

 

I saw the new one but IMO the 385 re-issue with the ladder bracelet is nicer.

 

Shhhh... don't let @cvalue13 hear you talking about the Chrono Sport: you'll get him all riled up again! 44.5mm is definitely too big for my taste.

Regarding the EP, I'm heavily leaning towards the 38mm: (1) with no bezel it wears big, similar to a 40mm, and (2) it's apparently the traditional location of the date window on an EP. But I will try to try both on at my AD as soon as I get the chance.
Thanks everyone for your helpful input!

 

+1

I think the 38mm wears every bit as big as a speedy pro (at 41m) due to bezel delta, and for the same reasons the 39.7mm speedy wears larger that the 41mm submariner

 

Then, consider an El Primero A384 which is IMHO, a much nicer watch than the ones you're considering.

 

I’ve looked at the Revival line, but honestly I don’t like the case.

 

Both are great. But I have to be honest, I like the 42mm better on your wrist...

 

Agreed! Plus no tri-colour sub dials (which for me is the greatest visual appeal, the movement is of course the other).

 

What about one of these

 

Definitely following this thread. This watch is in the small pile of watches I need to try on when we're all allowed to do retail again. At face value which dial would I gravitate towards? Oh lumme I can't find a clear winner between the six o'clock symmetry or the position of the subdial set. Another 7.25" wrist here so see how relevant all of this is?

 

Oh my..... Pure content. Delicious!

 

I have a 7.25" wrist and tried both the 38mm and 42mm EP some years back. As others said, the 38mm seemed a little too small, the 42mm wore a little too big. Went with the 42mm as it seemed a better size for me overall and I seem to recall the version I went with (Striking 10th) was only available in a 42mm at the time.

 

My wrist is 7 3/8" and I had the 42mm Striking 10th. While I loved playing with the chronograph, it just wore too big, and I eventually sold it.

 

I prefer the 38mm and the location of the date is very signature.

I think you can pull off both sizes based on your wrist measurements and shots. However, I’d consider your overall build and daily wear.

Personally I think a trimmer fitting watch is more versatile... ie dressy and business casual and looks just as good in jeans and a tshirt. Where as a bigger 42 with a sports jacket at work might be a bit too overpowering.

But ultimately I’m sure you pick what feels right as your personal style is the most important.

 

Thanks to everyone for their input. I finally decided to pull the trigger, and then managed to find one…. I went with the 38mm (1) more Zenith traditional date location and (2) 42mm is too big for my taste for a watch that wears big.
I’m happy as a clam!

 

You made a good choice. This is the iconic dial configuration for Zenith.

 

Great choice and I think the 42 would have been too big. The 38 looks great!