JToddH
[Moderator]
2670
I certainly agree with you on most points...
As Zenith has certainly established its technical prowess, providing a modern "twist" to the El Primero would certainly be a step in the right direction, but one that mostly only established connoisseurs would appreciate.
My pragmatic side concedes that most purchasers of such pieces base less of their purchasing decision on technical but rather aesthetics. This can certainly be seen by the meteoric rise of Hublot in the early days, when the original ETA based Big Bangs stormed the industry. This success gave Hublot the time and resourses to emerge into the full fleged manufacture that it is today.
Zenith, on the other hand, has a rich heritage and is already technically established. In my mind, all Zenith needs to do is update the exteral design of their watches. As much as I love and respect the El Primero, many of the cases (to me) are a bit dated...and this is an area where Mr. Biver certainly excels.
My prediction is that the first line of business (that we'll see) from Zenith under JCB will be new cases for El Primero, maybe even multi-component cases that will allow more variations and yes, LEs. Knowing JCB, he works at the speed of light so I would bet that we'll see new announcements at Basel.
My crystal ball also predicts more emphasis on the Pilot series. It's solid and established with nothing to really change but perhaps some new variation.
This is an exciting time for Zenith and I've no doubt that following Basel, there will be a renewed interst in the brand.
More posts:
Challenges the new Zenith CEO needs to face - quickly and sustainably!
With the departure of Aldo Magada and the arrival of (interim) CEO Jean-Claude Biver, I believe it is high time for us to consider the areas needing significant improvement. Zenith is a brand that almost exclusively relies on one single - albeit significa...
Fantastic article Magnus
I am one of those people mentioned who would like to have and El Primero movement is the collection. But haven't taken a fancy to any Zenith watch is over a decade.
Valid point Magnus
I support most of them. However, it contains a strategy for the next 15 years... ;-) The foremost most important point is: Zenith needs to make money again in order to reinvest it for the improvement of the general value proposition you described so well....
To Magnus:
It seems that JCB does not want to change to much on the products side, and more on the communication side: Here a brandnew interview from NZZ, also regarding Zenith\'s strategy: It seems difficult to post links here...
Well, that interview was more about TAG and the Connected, less about Zenith...
thus we'll see what he has to say exclusively about our beloved brand! One thing is for sure: we live in exciting times as Zenith lovers! Best, Magnus
that's why I wrote - "its also about Zeniths strategy"...;-)
The interview has no specific brand focus.
Great article Magnus. The beauty of Jean-Claude Biver?
He would be quite thrilled to sit down with you and discuss these points. Most CEOs would not, if I had to guess.
Awesome. I look forward to this interview!
JCB tells it straight and does not hold back.
Zenith's most famous watch is also its biggest weakness
I agree If it were up to me, the ultra-top high end would not need to be continued. Marvellous watches without doubt, but not ‘Zeniths’. Zenith is part of LVMH group, so they might share resources and technologies. No reasons to "fight" each other, so ass...
I certainly agree with you on most points...
As Zenith has certainly established its technical prowess, providing a modern "twist" to the El Primero would certainly be a step in the right direction, but one that mostly only established connoisseurs would appreciate. My pragmatic side concedes that m...
This is a very interesting article Magnus
for an interesting moment of Zenith's life. First, I think there really is a difference between people going that deep into the watch world, reading about watches on the net, and the other type of clients which have never cared about going any further tha...
One way could be to have something like...
The heritage The contemporary The avantgarde That way different clienteles could be reached, and each collection could have distinct, well-developed and defined features, but also cover different price points. A recognisable Zenith design code that could ...
Great article, Magnus!
To me there's so much under exploited quality and value in Zenith's current catalogue that marketing strategy and repositioning of the brand will certainly help greatly. I hope we see a new Zenith emerge, and the idea of a totally new evolution of the El ...
Not much to add
This is so true Zenith has probably on off the most interesting histories in watchmaking Maybe the most important. It does not have the prestige we find a for example patek but they don\'t need too Indeed, if you look at all the contests and prizes zenith...
Zenith must energize the USA market.
But it won\'t be easy. To sell well here: it must be a status symbol, it must be more widely available, it must be advertised, it must be written up in men\'s style and executive lifestyle magazines, and it must be reasonably serviceable. Nataf was the on...
Good points
Definite yes to a chronometric certification standard for performance and advertising.
A great review! Thanks!!
The brand "Zenith" to watch collectors represents reliability and accuracy, a fairly high percentage of components of an entire watch are manufactured in-house. Needless to say there is a rich history in horology but you are right about the brand. The fac...
Hi Magnus
A very worthy post on the current position of Zenith. In the UK it seems Zenith really doesn't seem to capture the imagination of the Omega and Rolex buying public like it should, with the heritage behind it (I could say the same for Longines, just look a...
