Zenith


Recently sold this Zenith Defy Classic Power Reserve watch, and realized that I never posted a review on it, even though I had posted a video review years ago. I had this watch for over 4 years, and really enjoyed the time I spent with it. It was one of Zenith’s more down-to-earth Defy designs, but still turned many people off with its unconventional looks. I was a big fan of this style, especially in all-silver.

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The watch has a very “white-like” sheen to it, somewhat different than the usual brushed stainless steel. The knurled silver-white dial also gives the watch a sense that the dial is an extension of the case, and play nicely off each other.

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The solid engraved stainless steel bezel has Zenith Stars inlaid into it, also in stainless steel. The watch features a Power Reserve indication at 1:30, small seconds at 9:00 and a date at 4:30. The date features an inside-mounted magnifier that aids in reading.

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The watch is fairly thick, and the bracelet’s middle links feature matching Knurling that is also on the dial. This complements the watch very nicely and really balances out the design.

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The back features a sapphire exhibition crystal, giving a very good view of the in-house Zenith Elite caliber 685SC which features 55hr power reserve, and 38 jewels. As stated on the back, the watch also features 300m water resistance, and is Swiss Made like all of Zenith’s watches.

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The dial has no lume, but the hands have a small amount of lume at the times to give it some night time readability. The crystal is AR coated, and shows some blue tinge at the right angles. The applied alternative numerals and indices are gun metal colored and completes the watches’ play on multiple shades of grey.

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Just one more shot here for good measure šŸ™‚

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Finally the wrist shot. The 43mm case diameter is perfect for my wrists, though the bracelet is a bit uncomfortable. I didn’t get a shot of the hidden double-butterfly clasp, but it can dig into the wrist at times. It also does not have microadjustments. Overall its a cool-looking watch, with some serious in-house Swiss pedigree in there. If the style suits your fancy, well worth the money they are asking for them nowadays. I sure am going to miss mine!

Zenith has expanded their Pilot Montre d’AĆ©ronef (Which is French for “onboard watch”) line at Baselworld 2013 this year with five new models. Very cool pieces from Zenith that give Pilot watch fans another choice for a top tier Pilot Chronograph outside of the IWC and Glashutte Original Pilot watches. I particularly like how Zenith has done the lugs on these watches… I really want to pick up one of these as they are my favourite Pilot Watches out right now.

I particularly like the 48mm GMT model. My kind of watch.

Zenith Pilot Montre d’AĆ©ronef Type 20 40mm
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Case: Steel 40mm x 11.8mm
Sapphire crystal
100m WR
Movement: Zenith Elite 681

Zenith Pilot Montre d’AĆ©ronef Type 20 GMT
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Case: Steel 48mm x 15.8mm
Sapphire crystal
100m WR
Movement: Zenith Elite 693

Zenith Pilot Montre d’AĆ©ronef Type 20 GMT Red Baron
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Case: DLC Coated Steel 48mm x 15.8mm
Sapphire crystal
100m WR
Movement: Zenith Elite 693

Zenith Pilot Montre d’AĆ©ronef Type 20 Annual Calendar
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Case: Steel or Titanium and Rose Gold 48mm
Sapphire crystal
Movement: Zenith 4054B Featuring Chronograph and Annual Calendar Complications

Zenith Pilot Montre d’AĆ©ronef Type 20 Tourbillon
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Case: Titanium and Rose Gold 48mm
Sapphire crystal
Movement: Zenith El Primero 4035D Featuring Tourbillon Complication

Its been a busy few days at Baselworld and there have been a few watches that have caught my eye. I tend to get drawn towards the watches that I feel are in my affordability range and strike me as very wearable. One of these watches is the Zenith Espada.

Ultrawearable at 40mm, and featuring a dumbed-down version of the El Primero movement, named the Calibre 4650B. This 36,000vph movement is ultra-slick and ultra-smooth. The dial and case captures that classic Zenith look that I have been really dying to get my hands on. Water resistant to 100m, Sapphire Crystals front and back.

Awesome! Zenith hits another one out of the park with the new Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 – a limited edition production of 250 pieces. This bad ass watch has a case diameter of 57.5mm, and uses the in-house pocketwatch caliber 5011. The watch is part of their Military Legacy watches series and is a limited edition created for the Smiling Children Charity Event.

Since this is such a limited production, I don’t think it will be in my own budget – but I can always dream can’t I!

Here is a shot of the Zenith 5011 in a Pocket Watch from Zenith:

Lots of amazing watches released at SIHH 2012 this year… with a fabulous lineup from Panerai as well as some very cool new offerings from Audemars Piguet and Cartier as well. One of my personal favourite pieces is the Chronomaster 1969 watches from Zenith. In particular, I really dig the standard Chronomaster 1969 Chronograph. This bad boy has a nice open heart dial and uses with very cool vintagey looking 1969 case.

I like my Chronomaster just fine, but this 1969 version has some understated, classic lines that just really call out to me. I will be buying one of these in the near future – just a matter of time!

Specs:
Movement El Primero 4061
Components: 282
Jewels: 31
Frequency: 36,000 VpH ā€“ (5 Hz)
Case: Stainless steel
Diameter: 42 mm
Crystal: Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflection treatment on both sides
Case-back: Transparent sapphire crystal

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