Zenith

Ornatus-Mundi
[Zenith]
7136

• Show profile
• Show other posts

BaselWorld 2017: Zenith Elite now in 4 sizes: 33 (new), 36, 39 (new) and 42mm and a new colour and attractive prices - but with one big loss!

After the splash Zenith created with the new El Primero 21 movement and the new Defy watches, let's take a look at the other end of the spectrum of novelties, the Elite collection. At BaselWorld 2017, the collection was expanded with new case sizes in 33 and 39mm, respectively, to add to the existing 36 and 42mm. The latter size is now reserved for the El Primero-drives chronograph, while the 100h automatic movement Cal. Elite 6150 has been shelved - regrettably!



The elegant new 39mm time-only watch, driven by the Cal. Elite 679, is a very welcome addition to the collection, fostering the trend towards reduced (and more sophisticated) smaller watches we obsrved since a few months.



The dial is identical to the previous refined and reduced face with a airly applied sunburst decoration and cut/rhodinised hours markers:



The movement is a well-known entity, reliable, very precised and in-house. An appropriate choice for a ~ € 4500* watch:



Solid watchmaking, nothing flashy or exciting - a relief at times...



If you strap it on you immediately acknowledge the wise choice of its diameter:





Not only the diameter is new, Zenith also devised a new dial colour: grey smoke!



A colour that might be influenced by Glashütte Original's recent success with its coloured watches, but certainly a good decision. Note: the crystal gasket is not the final one, in regular production it will be invisible.



The dial structure is particularly exposed here:



What a wonderful creation!





Staying with the same colour, but now in the 42mm case with El Primero 4069 chronograph movement:





I heard the price will be about $6700* in stainless steel - not bad for this movement and the fantastic case/dial combination!





Nicely laid out proportions, but essentially they cannot hide the smaller diameter of the movement. Thought: put the El Primero in the 39mm variant and see the result...





Finally, here comes the sad news: the 2015-presented 100h Elite Movement 6150 will be shelved for the time being. Rumour has it that it is too costly to manufacture and offer in Zenith's price range. Time will tell whether we will see this nice clockwork at a later time. On a positive note, this decision gave us the new 39mm watches and a very attractive price range.



Please forgive me the that I failed to take images of the 33mm ladies watches. I'll try to make good at a later point.

Cheers,
Magnus

*) I will need to reconfirm prices - thus please take them as an indicator only, for the time being.