Review -Zelos first impression of my first microbrand
Well I'm an experienced collector, been into watches since the mid 1980's & have owned many watches in that time. All from established brands, with my keepers being a Seamaster 300, Aqua Terra quartz, a couple Willards, with my most obscure being the well known Laco.
So I swapped an old unloved mm200 for my Zelos...
First impressions - the Titanium bracelet feels nasty and cheap ( I'm from the generation that equates weight with quality) but the watch head itself is ok.
I'm not a fan of date complications, but at least it's tucked away at 6 so blends in.
The dial texture is decent and the hands are ok
The case is alright, but the finishing isn't up to Seiko standards ( tho bear in mind my Seikos are all mid tier , diashield coated jobbies).
Movement is pretty good,as you'd expect from something bought in from Japan.
It is a comfortable watch, tho once it's on it really doesn't feel any different to any of my stainless steel bracelet watches (closest to the Aqua Terra) & the weight saving is pretty much negligible feel wise.
Overall it is what it is, a budget watch that's fairly flashy and does it's job.
So will I be joining the cult of Zelots? No, nice watch but honestly does feel like I'm slumming it a bit compared to my Seiko's and certainly not in the same league as my Christopher Ward's I've owned, but it is nearly half the price.
Would I recommend it?
Yes if you're on a tight budget or fairly new to watches, but if you're an old hand then don't believe the hype or you'll be disappointed.
Sorry if I've come across as a bit of a watch snob, I'm really not, I'm just giving my honest first impressions & I'm older and set in my ways.
I'll keep it for a while & see if it grows on me. Says a lot that I got it a couple of days ago and I'm back to wearing my Willard tho....
I'm not a great writer, unlike many on here, so thank you for your time & I hope you have got something from my drivel.
Cheers 🍻
Review -Zelos first impression of my first microbrand
Yes
No
- Cheap
- Titanium
- Value
- Maybe Titanium
- Quality bit lacking
- Lack of heft in hand
Been into watches since early 90's. Omega owner, Triumph rider, professional Vaper.
Nice straightforward review for me 👏🏻
Shame the watch has too many little niggles for you as it looks a nice watch overall!
Nice straightforward review for me 👏🏻
Shame the watch has too many little niggles for you as it looks a nice watch overall!
Thank you. You never know, it may grow on me ( really didn't like my Alpinist reissue when I first got it, now it's a favourite...guess I'm fickle 🤣)
Seems kind of unfair to base a judgment of quality on weight when it's a Titanium watch -- you're not going to get the same feel/sounds/weight as Stainless Steel.
Fair point from JBird...are you comparing it to another Titanium watch or SS?
I’ve read and looked into quite a few micro brands and some are very good but the others I don’t know! So I have decided to build my own just like them and as divers are my fav there are loads of parts readily available. I ordered my parts yesterday now it’s just waiting for them to arrive from that lovely far away land…….😉🤪😂
The titanium might feel cheap because of its weight compared to stainless steel, while in actuality it's the better one of the two. But I can understand why some people dislike it
Seems kind of unfair to base a judgment of quality on weight when it's a Titanium watch -- you're not going to get the same feel/sounds/weight as Stainless Steel.
Yes it's my first experience with a titanium automatic, I've got the Tissot T touch Ti but that's not a fair comparison - I appreciate it isn't fair comparing it to my SS pieces, but that's the only frame of reference I have.
Just think of my review as the rambling of an inexperienced (to titanium) old fellow & take it with a pinch of salt.
Thank you for your comment 👍🏻
Thanks for the review. I almost bought a Zelos titanium but changed my mind at the last minute. Reading your review I think I’ll not reconsider my decision.
Interesting that you compare it to Seiko. IMO Zelos punches well above its price point when compared to Seiko's from the same price point. Not trying to say your review isn't accurate, but I get the feeling you're comparing the Swordfish to Seiko watches in a higher price point (>$400) - which is worth mentioning. Eg. Seiko Ti "diver" for $400? Nope!
A Zelos niggle worth mentioning, esp for those who are shopping for a used Zelos: they only come with a 1 year warranty - so IMO they are fun watches and it is a low risk if you get a Zelos new, but you're really on your own if you grab one second hand.
For me, the value of titanium is it feels similar to a gshock on the wrist - I'll take a bracelet over a fabric/textile/plastic/leather strap any day, especially on hot/humid days.
Thanks for your review!
Interesting that you compare it to Seiko. IMO Zelos punches well above its price point when compared to Seiko's from the same price point. Not trying to say your review isn't accurate, but I get the feeling you're comparing the Swordfish to Seiko watches in a higher price point (>$400) - which is worth mentioning. Eg. Seiko Ti "diver" for $400? Nope!
A Zelos niggle worth mentioning, esp for those who are shopping for a used Zelos: they only come with a 1 year warranty - so IMO they are fun watches and it is a low risk if you get a Zelos new, but you're really on your own if you grab one second hand.
For me, the value of titanium is it feels similar to a gshock on the wrist - I'll take a bracelet over a fabric/textile/plastic/leather strap any day, especially on hot/humid days.
Thanks for your review!
Yes, absolutely I'm comparing the Zelos to Seikos that are more than double the price, but it's been maybe 10 years since I even handled a skx for example (& possibly 20 since my last GShock)- so it's not a fair comparison, but it's all I have at hand.
I'm not hating on the Zelos at all, I'm actually very impressed with what you get for not much outlay.
Cheers 👍🏻
I don't trust micro brands that only offer Seiko movements as there only movent. It's boardline fashion brand watches at that point. I'd rather have quartz instead. I was more impressed with brickhouse watches then some of the microbrands since he offered swiss quartz and automatic instead of nh35 movements. I personally like miyota movements since they usually run fast and it easier to set the time.
Good review. I'm not the biggest fan of divers but get the appeal. And like you, there are many times where I equate weight with quality. But Zelos is fairly popular with many good qualities to its credit. Looks like you made a great choice.
I don't trust micro brands that only offer Seiko movements as there only movent. It's boardline fashion brand watches at that point. I'd rather have quartz instead. I was more impressed with brickhouse watches then some of the microbrands since he offered swiss quartz and automatic instead of nh35 movements. I personally like miyota movements since they usually run fast and it easier to set the time.
Zelos uses Miyota 9015 in the great white model I own.
For what it’s worth I own 2 Zelos watches and love them. I have a SS and a bronze
If you've never had titanium before, it's can be hard to get used to from stainless steel. I don't have a Zelos yet. Haven't found the one that has grabbed me yet. I do have an SWC full Tianium Bunker and it is great...forget it's on. Try the Zelos watch head on some alternative straps. You might like that and appreciate the light weight. Zelos is not a mid-teir Seiko like mm200!
Yes, lume is superb, & bezel action is surprisingly far more like my Omega than my Seikos.
For what it’s worth I own 2 Zelos watches and love them. I have a SS and a bronze
Very cool, love that dial 😍👍🏻
If you've never had titanium before, it's can be hard to get used to from stainless steel. I don't have a Zelos yet. Haven't found the one that has grabbed me yet. I do have an SWC full Tianium Bunker and it is great...forget it's on. Try the Zelos watch head on some alternative straps. You might like that and appreciate the light weight. Zelos is not a mid-teir Seiko like mm200!
Indeed, I'm looking forward to trying it on a NATO 👍🏻
Nice review. Just managed to read this review as I was scrolling the review section. I’d like to see more watch review like yours being able to to it based on experience and not believing the hype. Good job
For what it’s worth I own 2 Zelos watches and love them. I have a SS and a bronze
Jeff that Teal Aurora is Titanium
Yes