El Primero dilemma
Hello watch crunch gang - I am fairly certain I am going to buy an El Primero Original Chronomaster used. There appears to be very little floating around out there in terms of the new reference with the 3600 movement, but there are some good deals in the $6k range on the 2018 reference with the 400B movement, and the price spread between the two looks to be $3k or so. What differences am I missing other than the 1/10 second chrono? It seems like the older 400B references in the $6k range are pretty solid relative value, no?
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Sean
HMU if you’re in Chicago! Baltimore transplant by way of New York.
Chicago
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The new 3600 has hacking seconds and a 10 hr longer power reserve. You may find that worth the incremental investment.
I have heard of a number of reliability issues with the 3600 movement though I don't know how widespread it is.
The new 3600 has hacking seconds and a 10 hr longer power reserve. You may find that worth the incremental investment.
I have heard of a number of reliability issues with the 3600 movement though I don't know how widespread it is.
Good color, thanks! Reliability in terms of accuracy re: 3600?
It also seems like there are few aesthetic differences between the 2018 and 2021 models, particularly on the dial other than “1/10th of a second”…would you say that’s fair from what you’ve seen/heard?
Good color, thanks! Reliability in terms of accuracy re: 3600?
It also seems like there are few aesthetic differences between the 2018 and 2021 models, particularly on the dial other than “1/10th of a second”…would you say that’s fair from what you’ve seen/heard?
Reliability in terms of QC.
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/el-primero-3600-weirdness-issues.5371103/
There are other threads as well. I couldn't tell you how widespread it is.
So something to make sure you're aware of....the color aesthetics of the two references are similar ( particularly the 38mm versions) but the functions of the two movements are going to be different.
The 400b operates like a traditional Chronograph, with the center seconds hand rotating around the dial once every 60 seconds. Subdials measure running seconds, minutes elapsed and hours elapsed up to 12 hrs.
The 3600 operates somewhat differently. Each rotation around the dial by the center seconds is 10 seconds and the subdials measure running seconds, seconds elapsed and minutes elapsed up to 60.
The 3600 has the advantage of being able to measure more granular time units whereas the 400b can measure longer (though I can't see why one would need to use a chronograph to measure 12 hrs.).
So yes the color scheme is similar but the subdials functions are quite different.
Oh and one more thing. I assume you are talking about the spread between new old stock 400b El primeros and new 3600 El Primeros.
If you're talking used 400b, you can get used 3600s at closer to $7k-$8k so the spread isn't quite as large as $3k.
Bingo. +the potential issues w the 3600, this makes sense to me.
There’s also a Watches of Switzerland limited edition (100 pieces) on Chrono 24 right now which is pretty cool and price wise is in between the two. got something thing to do
I'm not a big fan of 4:30 date windows, so naturally my absolute favorite El Primero is the "Final Edition". However, between the options in your post, I would for sure go for the older version with the 400b movement. It's quite a good looking watch, and it comes at a significantly more affordable price than the new model.
I would take all the savings from buying the old model, and invest in a 2nd watch with them. Based on your bio, I think a Doxa Whitepearl Carbon would be the perfect choice. Now that is a VERY cool watch, and I think it would complement your new El Primero nicely 😉🍻.
I'm not a big fan of 4:30 date windows, so naturally my absolute favorite El Primero is the "Final Edition". However, between the options in your post, I would for sure go for the older version with the 400b movement. It's quite a good looking watch, and it comes at a significantly more affordable price than the new model.
I would take all the savings from buying the old model, and invest in a 2nd watch with them. Based on your bio, I think a Doxa Whitepearl Carbon would be the perfect choice. Now that is a VERY cool watch, and I think it would complement your new El Primero nicely 😉🍻.
That is most definitely the play.
If you buy a zenith just keep in mind that their service in the US sucks. I have a couple of threads on it based on my recent and ongoing service experience.