Zenith

Ik love it and I don’t understand all the comments concerning “it looks too much like a Daytona” For me it’s very different. Other size, totally different case, overlapping subdials, silver - grey- bleu subdials, no tachymetre, a date, no screwdown pusher...  

I think what separates the brand is the provenance as well as possibly a superior movement. Don Draper would NEVER wear a Daytona to work but he might very well wear a Zenith. In many ways it’s the opposite side of the same coin.

When the ceramic daytona came out, some people made fun of it for looking like a tag heuer chrono. Those people aren’t laughing any more 😂😂

But, just as you say, I've given up laughing about it.

And I think that it's technically superior to the Daytona. In terms of charm, the Rolex wins by far in my opinion. And I do appreciate the date complication and the clear back to admire the engine. The case might be a hair too large (and thick), but that'... 

...assume the prices shud converge within limits overtime - either Daytonas come down or these catch up. Makes me think of TSLA/GM+Ford analogy.

The current Daytona movement had got a central second wheehl that is produced by a very elaborate method: UV-Light LIGA. You can read about the current 4130 movement at SJX- watches. I did not have the time to read that article fully, to be honest, but I ... 

But El Primero is still a great caliber, and you can admire it, while the Rolex's is hidden 😜

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...technically savvy mvmt - 5hz with 60hr PR, hacking secs, quick set date, 13.8mm thick all are impressive stats but not enuf to shake me away from a Daytona. Personally I dont get feels from its aesthetics and find the mvmt of chrono hand more erratic t... 

See my respond to 1WatchMan: The Daytona movement is superior and Rolex has gone a very long mile to achieve snooth, junp-free operations and accuate stopping. However, the scaling on the dial is wrong! So, whhy all 4he effort?

...gripe over the years has been it is one ugly mvmt almost impossible to skeletonize. I am yet to see a gud luking iteration even from the artisans. It will be huge headwind if Rolex ever tries to test those (see-through caseback) waters - not that Rolex... 

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Not similar if you ask me In that case most sport chronographs with 3 subdials look similar

So for me Rolex has put itself out of consideration as a result of its silly marketing strategy.

Congrats on pulling the trigger! Personally if I'm giving up the 12-hr sub-dial I would go for the Defy with 1/100th of a second but the looks is more modern. Looking forward to reading your hands-on review when you receive it!

A stunning watch - Congratulations to Zenith! I will pull the trigger as soon as I made up my mind about which one to buy.

Superficial comparisons will only benefit Zenith too. The functionalities of the watch are uniquely El Primero. Next to it, the Daytona now looks decidedly old-fashioned with its tachymeter scale, profusion of self-referential text on the dial, bulbous cr... 

The Zenith is a far more interesting watch than the Daytona and a better value even at retail. Not that the Daytona can be had at retail.

A real win for Zenith... Next up, a vast myriad of special and limited editions no doubt on the horizon. Will wait to see what's in the pipeline..

I’m sick and tired of all these LE, no matter what brand

BTW... excellent post.

looks stunning. It is no Daytona imitation but a different watch.

This watch is not a daytona wanna be. It is somewhat better. With its pump pusher, 100 m, sapphire caseback and its own movement of which daytona used on the early 2000? I call this a bang for a buck! If you went for it, congrats!

Does anyone know if it comes with any form of accuracy guarantee?

Pete McConvill of Not So Obvious Watches has a good take on why we instantly think ‘Daytona’ when we see this watch. A second, longer look changes that perspective though. Personally, I think a blue bezel that matches the 3 sub-dial would prevent an insta... 

If you are having doubts, then it means that you should not buy. Because of how it was designed, this model will always live in the shadow of the daytona. No amount of convincing oneself that it is a different watch will be enough. Certainly the daytona a... 

I can not see a Daytona in it. I see a Zenith chronograph.

The first thing I thought of was Zenith De Luca. Interesting how Rolex’s marketing influences our thinking. The Sport is pure Zenith.

Zenith wasn't particularly subtle about its source material, but this is still a very good watch. Best, Tim