This version ticks off so many check-boxes for a second or third chronograph, after you have a Speedy Pro/FOIS or LE

38mm X 12.45mm case, exhibition case back.
Dark blue dial which subdues the traditional "colourful" three dial look, very elegant + looks great with red chronograph hand
Chronograph seconds subdial overlap "corrected" = original version
And of course - THE original high beat column wheel chronograph movement + date (I actually think it looks good in this version)
US$6,700.00 retail pricing.

At that price point I see the following competitors (Speedy Pro left out) within the US$5.000,00 - US$8.500 range:

Tudor Black Bay Chronograph (US$5.050)
with the adapted Breitling B01 movement. I actually don't think this is as horrible as some have commented, and the movement is top notch, however those Snowflake hands look ridiculous on a chronograph.



Heuer Autavia (around US$5,000.00) Looks better live, but for me the movement is unproven and I also think the Zenith looks more elegant. On a personal note, it would look a bit redundant with my incoming Speedy Tuesday, and less elegant (see comparison shot with my Speedy XI-45). The BOR is very blingy (not for me).


JLC Master Control "Sector Dial" 2017 Chronograph (US$8.000,00) - very pretty, but not as versatile in terms of dressing down I think, compared with the El Primero. Movement quite impressive (65h power reserve), but no exhibition case back and I do worry about JLC reliability in the long term...the El Primero movement seems more robust.


Breitling Navitimer 01 (approx US$8000) - another classic, great B01 movement and warranty but the dial is too busy for me and much less elegant than the Zenith blue dial.


Omega SpeedMaster Racing (US$8.500,00) - technically a significant amount watch for the money, but again loses out in terms of elegance and heritage compare to the blue dial Zenith on the wrist. White dial version nicest of the bunch, but wears large with the white dial compared to the DSOTM



Looking forward to seeing this new Zenith live...for the Zenith specialists out there, what do you guys and gals think...would this new blue Zenith Dial be a good second or third chronograph in a collection...perhaps I am posting in the wrong section of the forum

 

Love the Zenith & the JLC, out of reach but gorgeous

 

There's a sentence you don't read everyday


This one has my undivided love, when talking blue-dialed chronographs:


Picture from here.

This one is owned by our very own @LouS, the lucky git.

 

Gorgeous

So should I be worried? I have read on the Internet users singing praises of vintage El Primeros still going strong...I am aware that you need to be careful with date change, hacking seconds etc. pressure testing...but I had assume that if you don't do anything "silly" it should be a reliable and accurate movement...don't expect Rolex toughness but certainly something superior do JLC

 

I was thinking the same thing - are the el-p movements problematic? Or at least not as robust as others?

Sorry for the noob-ish question, but I've been following this for a while and havent heard of problems.

 

It's not a noobish question...the whole point of something like the OF is for people to share experiences. For example, I would be happy to reply / offer input on any of the watches in my collection regarding accuracy, reliability etc.

@Archer ...Can you spare a minute of your time? If you have commented before on the El Primero movement, you could please point the Zenith newbies in the right direction where we can find additional info on movement reliability, please? I know all movements have issues, just any red flags you might be aware of the modern iterations of the El Primero would be much apprecaited

Cheers, RP

 

I have never read that "robustness" was a trait particularly associated with the EP movement, though I believe that it isn't inherently fragile. Most issues I have heard of was due to lack of routine service, which it doesn't cope well with - but what movement does...

 

I will have a Zenith one day. My blue dial ownage is a little much right now. Tend to wear the Monaco when I have the blue dial fever.

 

The blue is a bit much for me, but the Classic 1969 model which this is a variant of is a smashing watch. Would own one if I had the extra cash!

 

IMO, this is the El Primero to seek out. WOW, I'm in love!!!

 

The reversing wheel on the auto winder is a known fragile component as is the date corrector spring but this latter component has been modified on the later movements.

 

This video from Tim at Watchuwant/Govberg shows of the blue dial version nicely and also some care / maintenance tips:

Good video with watchmaker Michael Michaels on the El Primero movement talking about strengths and weaknesses. Nice comparison with other chronograph movements as well.

 

there is a like new one of these at european watch company

i know because i just traded it to them. . .

 

Got to try it on while on holiday... was waiting for the 2017 updated Silver EP 1969. Great size. 42mm is massive for this watch. While the shade of blue is rather nice, I still prefer the silver version.



With that said... my silver 1969 EP should be in my hands soon enough!

 

Just received mine. What a gorgeous piece. Onto a racing strap it goes.

 

I love my blue Captain.

 

Honestly, if they would ditch the silly star at the end of the second hand, I would probably buy one as my DW.

 

That is a nice watch. I have made a point to stay away from Zenith because I can see how easy it would be to start collecting those like I collect speedmasters. Blue dial in vintage and modern, all my watch collecting bases would be covered with El Primero. I'm going to unfollow this thread.

 

Love the JLC sector dial. It's such an elegant chronograph!