Zenith Chronomaster Original variants
I’ve always lusted after the Zenith Chronomaster Original, I think the tri-color dial is wonderful. But when I went to look at one in person, after literally years of thinking it was my grail watch, it kind of fell flat. The black chapter ring on the white dial felt really harsh, and it surprised me. In pictures the watch looks great. And $10k for a watch is silly money so I decided to forget about it.
But now Zenith have some variants. The black dial has gotten a lot of reviewer praise, and there’s an “e-commerce” edition that has a graduated chapter ring matching the registers. It looks fantastic to me, as does the black dial.
But I haven’t seen either of these variants in person. The AD I went to said they can order stuff (I didnt ask about the e-commerce variant, I suspect they can’t actually order that) but if they do order a watch it’s final sale.
What would you do? I’m really gun-shy of spending all that dosh on a watch I haven’t actually seen in the metal…
I had almost the exact opposite thing happen to me with the speedy. Always felt so boring until I tried it on. Now I’m saving for one.
I definitely agree you need to see one in person before putting down that kind of money. Call around to a few more AD's to see if they have them in stock, maybe an out of town trip might be a fun adventure?
Just commit to the sale. You can always get a refund when you try it on 😅😅
If I were in your shoes, for the money, I'd definitely want to see & handle a watch in person before committing to a purchase.
But, it sounds like you're gonna have to order it and if it doesn't WOW you, make good use of a return policy OR sell it.
Another piece I completely love but will more than likely never be able to get one <sigh>
If I were in your shoes, for the money, I'd definitely want to see & handle a watch in person before committing to a purchase.
But, it sounds like you're gonna have to order it and if it doesn't WOW you, make good use of a return policy OR sell it.
Yeah, unfortunately it does seem like I’d take a bath on it if I bought and then didn’t like the watch.
I definitely agree you need to see one in person before putting down that kind of money. Call around to a few more AD's to see if they have them in stock, maybe an out of town trip might be a fun adventure?
I have some travel coming up so I think I’m gonna stalk the airport duty free. I’m connecting in Dubai and I hear they have some good boutiques.
I had decided that the Zenith Chronomaster Original was going to be my next watch. Went to WoS and they didn't have the original white dial but they did have the Watches of Switzerland limited edition - which is still white dial but blue sub dials - tried it on and... nope, didn't fit my wrist at all and that was that for the whole range.
Zenith has always had some interesting colors. This is mine. It's taken a beating over the past 25 years, and seldom gets worn these days. Still keeps good time though, and has the most comfortable bracelet I've ever owned.
I have the same dilemma with the Zenith Defy Revival Shadow. I think I really want it, but can’t get my hands on it to be sure. Since I know I can return the watch for a full refund, I’m going to go for it. It’s really the only way to actually see watches if you aren’t in a somewhat major metro area. Good luck!