jmpTT
859
We're almost 10 years removed from Zenith discontinuing the Elite 6150
Zenith might be a little scarred from the failure of the Elite 6150. Given the high regard for the Cal. 135, I see wisdom in starting with with very limited production, and keeping people excited about what may be coming down the pipeline. Enthusiasts have a limited attention span too, and there's only so many of them. At one time, the JLC Cal 849 was an accessible enthusiast darling watch. Today, it's out of production and forgotten.
I wouldn't take the Mr. Marietta's word to mean there won't ever be any 135s that combine a simpler dial with a more durable case material. He mentioned Zenith is targeting an annual production of 300 pieces. Biver is around 150 pieces per year, total. Credor produces ~ 25 pieces of Eichi per year. Sylvain Berneron is around 150 pieces per year. Where ornate stone dials are available, the stone dials represent only a fraction of total production. Even Kari Voutilainen, with an annual production less than 100 watches, makes some watches with steel & titanium cases.
If there are going to be 2500+ new Zenith 135s kicking around by 2035, and the watches aren't being liquidated for 50 cents on the dollar, how likely is it that none of them will be in a configuration that appeals to the purist? If the line is managed successfully, it's only the asking price that will elicit moans.
No accessible steel case cal. 135s are planned :(
That is the only way I'm interested in that watch, and, though it had been appearing increasingly unlikely, I was holding out hope. No more! From an interview with Romain Marietta on SJX: RM: First of all, relaunching this calibre in large quantities, ins...
β We felt it was more interesting to position it within an exclusive high horology context.β
And to me, that seems like an unbelievable blunder. If Zenith were some insanely sought-after, overhyped brand, then sure you could position it like that in the market, but they simply donβt have that luxury. Not at all. And even if they did, I would stil...
So many "luxury" brands seem to have a sense of entitlement.
It is a brand-customer relationship they actively try to cultivate to justify stupid prices and customer un-friendly attitudes. For some brands this works (as distasteful as it may be), the two biggest/most notable being, obviously, Patek and Rolex. But f...
In the context you describe, I understand the strategy.
Zenith has been offering quite good watchmaking value for money for a while. In my view, they've done a particularly good job at this the last 7-8 years or so. Because of that, I fully expected that a reasonably priced steel 135 would have been on the way...
That is the obvious right answer
I've had my eyes open for the last couple of years but haven't caught one yet (they seem to come available very seldom in the US)
First, try to find an original. Then find a watchmaker . . .
. . . willing to tackle it. Cal 135 parts are worth their weight in gold . . . if you can find them. π£
Ah, so you've been holding out on Don Turo! You knew . . .
. . . this was coming. πΆ ...
What is even more unbelievable is seeing Don Nico's limo in my home town . . .
. . . but he never stops by to say hello. π
Pheww! Glad to know Zenith won't be marketing . . .
. . .to guys like us. Now we're free to dream about other reachable watches. π
We're almost 10 years removed from Zenith discontinuing the Elite 6150
Zenith might be a little scarred from the failure of the Elite 6150. Given the high regard for the Cal. 135, I see wisdom in starting with with very limited production, and keeping people excited about what may be coming down the pipeline. Enthusiasts hav...
Well, if Zenith waits too long . . .
. . . it's going to be a Railmaster next. 2027 will be the seventieth anniversary of CK2914 . . . that's where my sights are set. Ξ©
Something tells me that if Omega does it...
They will NOT judge that a precious metal case and stone dials are required to make it sufficiently interesting (though, also unlike Zenith, Omega is extremely likely to use an off-the-shelf movement)
Precisely. A 70th Rail would probably be in the low five-figure range . . .
. . . which would make it both eminently desirable and affordable.
I'd be happy to own both!
That is, both the Zenith 135 that I believe Zenith ought to make, and the Railmaster that I believe Omega ought to make. Awfully broad-minded of me, eh?
They have tried high end through every modern management phase
You can see evidence of that across any watch sales portal, massively discounted. They have good tech and a genuine icon, but I'm not sure anything over Β£20k makes market sense for Zenith, great brand, solid fundamentals but when they enter that strata th...
