Dr No
[Moderator Omega - Wristscan]
37542
There was nothing wrong per se with the Nataf era . . .
. . . but many enthusiasts were put off by his clear intent of transforming Zenith into a fashion-oriented brand. Zenith's great strength was its technical prowess, and my sense is that the grafting of flamboyant design elements had the effect of driving away the nuts-and-bolts fans they'd accumulated over decades of production.
To be fair to Mr Nataf, it's my understanding that Zenith's sales were at an ebb when he took over, and that he was able to improve the finances of the company during his tenure. That being said, his direction also led to a perceptible dilution of their tradition. Doesn't it make sense for a Manufacturer that has a reputation for producing excellent movements to produce watches that play to their strengths? And, if so, doesn't that validate Mr Dufour's strategy of returning Zenith to its more traditional offerings?
Cordially, Art This message has been edited by Dr No on 2011-04-13 06:24:58
What was wrong with the old zenith circa 2008
Am I evil for liking the defy extreme and defy classic that they discontinued ? The defy extremes is what actually what got me into Zenith I thought "wow that's different ". Also the Port royal were greatooking watchs a think zenith had a big misss by get...
I think it's largely a matter of personal preference.
I don't think anyone is "evil" for preferring one design over another. We all like different things. I personally prefer the vintage Zeniths, and the more recent releases which hearken back to the Zeniths of the 60s-70s. I like unique designs also, but pr...
Your right
Lol I know no one actually hates the guy just his designs. Don't get me wrong I love the new zenith designs I actually have a captain on order. But to me the Defy 's were unique to some it may have been in a bad way but that's fine it's a subjective argum...
There was nothing wrong per se with the Nataf era . . .
. . . but many enthusiasts were put off by his clear intent of transforming Zenith into a fashion-oriented brand. Zenith's great strength was its technical prowess, and my sense is that the grafting of flamboyant design elements had the effect of driving ...
I thought Zenith was more on the engineering side of the horlogical spectrum
To me Zenith was and is a brand based on micromechanical engineering excellence, not a mechanical watch as art brand. To me Patek and Vachreon Constantien are art brands amazinging finshing and design but not a ground breaking technological brand. That is...
I for one, miss Nataf
He's treated unfairly. Basically everything he did is reduced to the Defy Extreme, that's what everyone associated with Nataf. Folks conveniently forget/ignore ChronoMasters, Class models, and one of the most gorgeous watches every released, the New Vinta...
Zenith marketing of the Nataf era
Rick, You know (or you should know, if I've never said it before) that I respect you standing up for what is now an unpopular point of view (who knows what will be said in 10, 20 years), and for your personal taste. But I do love the opportunity to post m...
Well
That's not exactly part of Zenith marketing. You wouldn't find that pic in any Zenith ad. Most of the pics used to ridicule Nataf, like this one, were taken from the fancy events he used to organize. To us, everything surrounding that pic may seem, what, ...
I agree
i live in the NYc area and u would see classy ads on Billboards and in the watch mags u would see a older male model showing of his watch which was pretty classy. But beyond that more important the watches the portroyal was a gorgeous watch and there was ...
One thing
I also thought that perhaps some of the recent models were Nataf ideas, but Dufour has said that he scratched everything in the pipeline and started anew. It'd be so interesting to know what plans Nataf had for Zenith in 2010 and beyond. And it's true, Na...
Great topic! Strong brands usually survive the extreme cycles...
And long term the amplitude of those create an interesting genetical capital, something future Zenith designers will be happy to use in order to create their future models, nothing worse than a boring linear brand. In my humble opinion there is nothing to...
great post
I have to admit that I had found some of the Defy models intriguing and appealing--but would never buy. But that is only because my means do not permit me to experiment with alternatives beyond the more classic and timeless models that I ultimately buy. I...
some great opinions here
all of you guys have presented your opinions very logically and are so knowledgable that I always find it difficult to opine among the purists...but since Zenith is a brand I have loved for many years and admired too, I would like to present my personal o...
Feel exactly the same way
I also got into Zenith during the Nataf period, and thought wow these are amazing Watchs. Was I loomed into the Brand more I lime them more hearing about there history and the El Primero. I do have a question though while I know there is a love and really...
correct me if I am wrong but
I heard Port Royal was not one of their big successes, though I love it quiet as much as you do Mat...I know of someone who had to look very far and wide to arrange for aPort Royal model that was not even a limited edition ..the ADs said they are made in ...