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Zenith

Your " coffee series " is like a good newspapers I love to read.

 

And I must say that I am VERY interested by this article. I have for a long time now, the idea to get the Vintage Chrono.

Once I will get the Vintage, I am so convinced by the modern that I will certainly go for it, too. I love to play the modern / vintage game a lot.

Only if the work on the modern " vision " is convincing. In this case, yes, it is.

Which is quite extraordinary, as you know my very relative love for dates. On the vintage, located circa 4 o'clock, I am not a big fan, but I do love the Chrono so much that I can live with that.

On the modern they located the date in a very smart way and place, at 6 o'clock. Better than on the vintage, IMO.

Well done, and very well written article, Magnus, but this is not a surprise, coming from you.

All the best,

Nicolas

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11 Comments view entire thread 

Zenith Coffee House Tales (v): Revisiting an Icon - the El Primero 36'000 VPH 42 mm!

 
By: Ornatus-Mundi : July 19th, 2014-08:14
In this and the upcoming Coffee House Tales Miss R and myself tried to revisit the two fundamentally different approaches 'current' Zenith has in respect to its heritage. Like in my report on the Zenith Type 20 "Extra Special" , we met at the Café Drechsl...  

Absolutely on the money regarding the primacy . . .

 
By: Dr No : July 19th, 2014-17:08
. . . of performance back when the El Primero was released, Magnus. As you may recall, the New Vintage 1969 . . . [watch credit: Dr No / image credit: Attila Aszodi] . . . was the sports watch in my collection for a few years, a decision guided by respect...  

The New Vintage 1969 already carries many cues to the current design language...

 
By: Ornatus-Mundi : July 22nd, 2014-06:09
particularly the pronounced indices are already visible. Also the dial already carries much of the finer finish of the current collection but still the old layout (printing, dial overlaps). Dial concept an legibility are my pet peeves when it comes to ass... 

Old and new, both are appealing...

 
By: jmpTT : July 20th, 2014-08:04
Your review does brings to our attention the difference between mechanical watches, then and now. The original version was a finely crafted necessity, while the modern iteration is a luxury watch with practical elements. As collectors, we tend to get stuc... 

Necessity vs. 'practical luxury' - I like that...

 
By: Ornatus-Mundi : July 22nd, 2014-06:14
as well as your very well expressed assessment of dial design minutiae. These are exactly those little facets where a serious brand should distinguish itself. But why do you think the Piguet 1185 is superior here? Because the location of the seconds subdi... 

With the Piguet 1185, the two essential subdials are on the same axis!

 
By: jmpTT : July 23rd, 2014-08:53
Put simply, locating the hours and minutes subdials on the same plane allows for additional design variations, without destroying the balance of the dial. The seconds subdial isn't *that* useful on the El Primero and the Piguet 1185 because it doesn't hac... 

Truly enjoyable read dear Magnus....

 
By: Ares501 - Mr Green : July 20th, 2014-12:39
...if only I could take such shots on my brightest day :) Your great pictorial comparison once more showed allure and charm of vintage compared to new Sincerely Damjan

My favourite El Primero from the current production!

 
By: blomman Mr Blue : July 22nd, 2014-03:07
Thank you for another great Coffee House report, Magnus! :) That is my favourite El Primero from the current production, but I think it's no big secret that I would prefer the vintage one.... ;) Best Blomman

Great review

 
By: charlesnevers : July 23rd, 2014-12:56
This is the striking 10th version, but i think the same case and dial. You can see some details in this "macro" video I've made:

Your " coffee series " is like a good newspapers I love to read.

 
By: amanico : August 4th, 2014-04:43
And I must say that I am VERY interested by this article. I have for a long time now, the idea to get the Vintage Chrono. Once I will get the Vintage, I am so convinced by the modern that I will certainly go for it, too. I love to play the modern / vintag...