Zenith

Here is a little review of a watch I feel is rarely seen here and IMO does not get the attention it actually deserves: Zenith Grande Class Open Traveller Multicity. Not so long ago I wanted to add a Zenith with an El Primero movement to my small watch collection. I was never a big fan of the Zenith designs under the Thierry Nataf 'regime'. The watches just didn't appeal to me...not to say that many of them I just simply found to be hideous IMO! I was also not a great fan of today's Zenith line up - the retro look does not make it for me. So during my search I 'stumbled' over the Zenith Grande Class Open Traveller Multicity. The long name matches the enormous proportion of the case: 46mm diameter and 17 mm in height. In spite of the large size, it still manages to easily slip under the cuff of my shirts.

Although I always preferred watches with absolute symmetric dials, I found myself bedazzled by the extremely busy dial of the Traveller Multicity. Even though one can still find some traces of the Nataf design specs on the dial (see the background of the Chrono minute counter and the small second counter) I believe that the dial and the watch case are stunning and quite timeless. I love the silver guilloche textured dial and the way the dial changes in different light. There is a power reserve indicator located at the bottom center of the dial with a gold colored hand. A patented 3 wheel large double date window is located between 1 & 2 o'clock. The world time complication is indicating the time in 24 different time zones. By turning the crown which is located at 11 o'clock one can set the outer ring to match the local time which will then allow you to see your home time while travelling.

The Multicity Traveller comes with an in-house El Primero 4037 caliber with 36'000 vibrations per hour. The caliber is made of 351 parts (43 jewels) and has a power reserve of approx. 50 hours.

I am extremely happy with my new acquisition and still find myself gazing at the busy dial…and at the beautiful see through case back.

I hope you enjoyed my little review and the pictures I posted.

Best regards

The Swiss Guy

Indeed traces of notorious Nataf are seen
but this looks better than his best work
On the other hand I predicted once that Nataf
Zenith Defy line will have renaissance in future

Thank you very much for presenting interesting piece not seen often
Sincerely
Damjan

A true world timer paired with a chronograph is a rare thing and yours may be rarer still. Do not remember reading about it here before, so thanks for the extensive review!

I also agree that it is one of the - from today's perspective (Damjan may be right as far as the future goes) - one of the more successful Nataf era designs. You mentioned the size and that it mostly manages to hide under your cuffs - how large does it wear, though?

It obviously has a great presence on the wrist, however it wears very comfortably and actually doesn't feel heavy at all!

Thanks for clarifying. Will definitely need to try it at some point

and the images of your new watch (congratulations, btw!) just exemplify this. They are little gems which blend classic conception with contemporary, modernistic design elements. But all this would be lost on me would it not be for the back side: I personally think that the back bezel is one of the sexiest in the entire industry!