Zenith El Primero - would you?
Zenith El Primero - would you?
Author
Discussion

toasty

Original Poster:

8,414 posts

250 months

Sunday 5th February 2017
quotequote all
I've been looking at this for a while and am rather tempted. I have quite slim wrists so 38mm would be fine.



My OH is able to get 20% off list from Goldsmiths and 2nd hand ones are rare.

What are they like to live with? Are they reliable and scratch resistant or very delicate?

The alternative would be a ceramic Daytona (different price point I know but would hold its value better) but finding one at list would be tricky.


LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

226 months

Sunday 5th February 2017
quotequote all
I can't speak on the el primero but the price of Daytona's just doesn't make sense at the moment. The fact that you can pick up a precious metal version for less than the ceramic is daft.

dom9

8,677 posts

239 months

Sunday 5th February 2017
quotequote all
I had one - beautiful little watch!

Mine saw very little wear but was faultless and looked stunning. It didn't seem to pick up scratches or knocks, though it would hide under a cuff, easily.

I'm not a man who can carry off a 38mm watch and decided to sell it as part of my car build/restoration (trying to keep that project cost neutral).

Sold it via ebay for a few hundred more than I paid 3-ish years earlier (got it very cheap, new in the US), which was a nice surprise.

The chap who bought it was a bit of a collector and said they were pretty rare, especially in the (virtually as new) condition mine was in.

The display back and movement are a thing of beauty. Highly recommended for the money, if you can pull off the smaller case. 40mm is my sweet spot.

At half-ish the cost of a Striking 10th, I don't think you can go wrong and, in many ways, a lot 'more' watch than a Daytona (ie date, 36,000vph etc).

Edited by dom9 on Sunday 5th February 13:44

critical mass

153 posts

135 months

Sunday 5th February 2017
quotequote all
Lovely watch; all time great movement.

lostkiwi

4,585 posts

154 months

Monday 6th February 2017
quotequote all
I would without question.

detee

668 posts

179 months

Monday 6th February 2017
quotequote all
Hi to the OP, without doubt you should. I have a Striking 10th and I have a few watches but always default to it. It is just a little different and always stands out in a subtle way. A connoisseurs choice!

Podie

46,649 posts

305 months

Monday 6th February 2017
quotequote all
A colleague has one. Nice watch, but in 3 years it's had two new straps and a deployant clasp.

tobinen

10,413 posts

175 months

Monday 6th February 2017
quotequote all
Lovely watch, buy one immediately

toasty

Original Poster:

8,414 posts

250 months

Monday 6th February 2017
quotequote all
Thanks all, my appetite is truly whetted.

The strap is a minor concern as it would be used regularly but hopefully covered under warranty. Other straps may well be a consideration to mix things up a little. Blue croc might be nice.

A quick enquiry to Goldsmiths and they don't have one in stock anywhere.

There is an Italian dealer on Chrono24 with good feedback and a similar price but I really would like to try one on the wrist before making a decision.

I'll have a look around next time I'm in London.

dom9

8,677 posts

239 months

Monday 6th February 2017
quotequote all
I kept the standard brown strap and deployant clasp in the box as I swapped straight to a blue gator when I got it, so can't comment on longevity of those bit but, equally, never had any issues.