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I was looking forward to this. Personally I was hoping for a thin automatic movement instead, as the handwinding doesn't have my preference. Considering what has changed, I'd almost go as far as saying that the only thing that I'd perceive as an appreciable upgrade is the guilloché. Yet, I'm not nit a fan of these clashing patterns, and the polished ridges, giving a sectorlike effect do not offer sufficient separation. I think losing the brushed sides is a mistake. It was a very likable aspect of the original, increasing its versatile character and emphasising the sharpness of its finish, especially around those cutouts from the very recognisable lugs. Now in full polish all of that looks softer and less interesting. On the current layout I understand the lume removal, but the balance was better on the original in that respect. It did not detract from its dressy credentials and now we've just gone down a more conventional dress path. The numerals suit a sector dial approach, but they seem undersized and risk disappearing against the salmon guilloché. So, after anticipating this release for some time, I feel somewhat deflated that this is it. That's probably good news for my wallet though. I'd still be keen on having a hands-on experience with the original in brown, teal or even aventurine.
I think you've fairly summarized the differences, though I think the manual wind suits the model well. The CNC guilloche is a technical enhancement but I agree that the polish makes the intricate case details harder to appreciate. The dial layout is a big shift from the original and really makes it a different model in my book. Cheers
Love the size with Amazing L2L and thinness + nice guilloché Unfortunately personally I think the design of the first one was way better. The 2 metal rings + numbers are too much, the dial doesn't breath. And the font for the hour markers is not to my taste either. It's a dress piece, I dress up quite a lot, but those choices if design doesn't really feel dressy. In the same trend the strap doesn't match a dress style. A shame I'm less convinced by this design, because I was waiting this v2 for a long long time. I might still pick one up but higher chance I go for other options. Still Zelos lover nevertheless of course, Elshan does some great work. And thanks for the review !
As a huge fan of the original, I was anxiously anticipating this follow-up as well and was similarly surprised by how much changed. I'll talk about it in greater detail in the full review, but I've had to reorient myself to almost viewing it as a different model. Despite having the form factor I love in the original, it's a wholly different vibe. Cheers
@@JonathanTReviews Yes I fully agree, for me too it feels almost like a different model with so much differences in the dial. The soul of the model is very different
The original was one of my favorite watches. I had the gold/linen. I wish they would have fixed the original issues on the first model instead of this. The bracelet needed half links or a non butterfly clasp, and the case needed changed to not scratch the leather band. I’m not the biggest fan of this new vision, but I’m glad the nova continues !
I love the original as well. I'm pleased to say the case has been relieved between the lugs, so that issue should be addressed. I'll miss the bracelet as well. Cheers
I was trying really heard to hold off buying watches because I really wanted to pick up a Nova 2. Now I’m glad I ‘caved’ and bought an Eagle 2. I love that watch. But if I ever buy a Nova it will be one of the originals, which I like better. Love the dials on these but not much else… and the 37mm case is probably too far out of my comfort zone.
I expect many lovers of the original Nova will be much more luke on this one. It's a big departure from the original style. The Eagle is a cool design as well! Cheers
Looking forward to the full review, Legibility seems to be not ideal at some angles but it could just be lighting. Are you able to do a side shot comparison with a swordfish field, due to it being known for it's short lug to lug for a Zelos. I have some interest in the salmon/mop but there's a part of me that wants to hunt an og linen dial instead to get lume and that extremely classy dial
The legibility is partly valid and partly lighting. I'll better showcase it in the full review, across lighting and angles. It's never the most legible but gets the job done. Unfortunately, I don't have a Swordfish Field but I'll try get some decent comps. Cheers
I don’t think it will sell well for all the reasons stated by other watchers. I wish they would have used more contrast on the indices. Maybe blue or black numerals?
So torn. Many of the V1 hallmarks are gone. It's lovely in its own right but its a brutal evolution when compared to its predecessor. Elshan really nails the execution and sometimes too well, too Orsen Well(es). Insanely influential and underappreciated at the same present time. You know?
Absolutely. In the full review, I largely treat it like a different model, despite the comparisons with the original and sharing some case contour similarities. Cheers
legibility is a real issue with this one, the numeral indices just disappear into the dial, as well as being too small for the dial. And the case polishing doesn't meet the level to match the quality of movement and dial finish
It's not the most legible combo, though it's been workable in the real world. I have varied footage in the full review to help give a better idea. I'm partial to the brushed touches of the original as well for a bit more sport. Cheers
It's a beautiful watch, and this flat case design is magnificent, and I'm sure it'll have a unique fit on the wrist. But I'm not so sure if I like this semi-sterile look, and this watch is so dressy that I feel the occasions on which I would wear it would be very limited.
I prefer it as well. The original Nova is my favorite Zelos model and this one, while a big departure, carries forward some of the things I love the most. Cheers
@@JonathanTReviews many people tend to forget what a Zelos is. In fact the helmsman is underwhelming for me compared to this Nova 2 on various aspects. All this Helmsman offered is only the special (or not so rare) timacus dial. The compressor style, even the movement, and the rest is unchanged at all since 2014. In fact this 10 year helmsman is going backwards or worse, is in solid caseback instead of display case back, unfinished date window, and Blue keeper on the FKM strap instead of a good leather strap.
I hate to say it but all the negative space on the dial where the eye automatically looks for the logo makes it look like an Ali express watch. An unusual miss from Elshan for me.
Hard pass for me. Waaaay too much patterning on that dial with nothing to contrast it with and break up the monotony. Very hard on the eyes. Same for the dial case - no brushing at all? Why bother with indices that are barely legible? Surprising miss from Zelos.
It still has a fair amount of presence and IMO works with the dress watch styling, but I'm sure others will agree, especially since it's 1mm smaller than the prior. Cheers
Not a fan of the fully polished case. I feel like a light brush would bring out the intricacies of the dial better instead of overshining it. I find this part about it a bit irritating, because it cheapens down the overall appearance and at this price point I don't consider it a cheap watch. Another thing I am not necessarily happy with is the crystal case back, as there is really nothing exciting to look at with this hand winding off the shelf movement. It looks boring. A brushed case with a (maybe engraved) solid case back would have done a lot more to capture the vintage appearance of the watch. I have the same issue with my Zelos Comet. It's not a movement I enjoy looking at. Would have preferred a solid case back on it, too. But nowadays every microbrand manufacturer seems to think it's mandatory to have a crystal case back.
I would have preferred some brushing too. The 7001 in this one is better decorated than the Sellita in the Comet, but I can understand the preference. I show it better in the full review going live today. The positive with this one is that it doesn't add any thickness like many exhibition backs do. Cheers
Looking to make any purchases on Amazon? You can help support the channel FOR FREE by using my affiliate link:
amzn.to/3O0xqM7
Using this link may earn a small commission for any items purchased, not just the one linked. Thanks for the support!
I was looking forward to this. Personally I was hoping for a thin automatic movement instead, as the handwinding doesn't have my preference. Considering what has changed, I'd almost go as far as saying that the only thing that I'd perceive as an appreciable upgrade is the guilloché. Yet, I'm not nit a fan of these clashing patterns, and the polished ridges, giving a sectorlike effect do not offer sufficient separation. I think losing the brushed sides is a mistake. It was a very likable aspect of the original, increasing its versatile character and emphasising the sharpness of its finish, especially around those cutouts from the very recognisable lugs. Now in full polish all of that looks softer and less interesting. On the current layout I understand the lume removal, but the balance was better on the original in that respect. It did not detract from its dressy credentials and now we've just gone down a more conventional dress path. The numerals suit a sector dial approach, but they seem undersized and risk disappearing against the salmon guilloché. So, after anticipating this release for some time, I feel somewhat deflated that this is it. That's probably good news for my wallet though. I'd still be keen on having a hands-on experience with the original in brown, teal or even aventurine.
I think you've fairly summarized the differences, though I think the manual wind suits the model well. The CNC guilloche is a technical enhancement but I agree that the polish makes the intricate case details harder to appreciate. The dial layout is a big shift from the original and really makes it a different model in my book. Cheers
Love the size with Amazing L2L and thinness + nice guilloché
Unfortunately personally I think the design of the first one was way better.
The 2 metal rings + numbers are too much, the dial doesn't breath. And the font for the hour markers is not to my taste either.
It's a dress piece, I dress up quite a lot, but those choices if design doesn't really feel dressy.
In the same trend the strap doesn't match a dress style.
A shame I'm less convinced by this design, because I was waiting this v2 for a long long time. I might still pick one up but higher chance I go for other options.
Still Zelos lover nevertheless of course, Elshan does some great work.
And thanks for the review !
As a huge fan of the original, I was anxiously anticipating this follow-up as well and was similarly surprised by how much changed. I'll talk about it in greater detail in the full review, but I've had to reorient myself to almost viewing it as a different model. Despite having the form factor I love in the original, it's a wholly different vibe. Cheers
@@JonathanTReviews Yes I fully agree, for me too it feels almost like a different model with so much differences in the dial.
The soul of the model is very different
I would have loved to see some brushed/satin finishing to break up the polished surfaces.
The original struck a great balance in that regard and gave it more of a sport dress feel instead of full dress (not a bad thing in my book). Cheers
The original was one of my favorite watches. I had the gold/linen. I wish they would have fixed the original issues on the first model instead of this. The bracelet needed half links or a non butterfly clasp, and the case needed changed to not scratch the leather band. I’m not the biggest fan of this new vision, but I’m glad the nova continues !
I love the original as well. I'm pleased to say the case has been relieved between the lugs, so that issue should be addressed. I'll miss the bracelet as well. Cheers
I was trying really heard to hold off buying watches because I really wanted to pick up a Nova 2. Now I’m glad I ‘caved’ and bought an Eagle 2. I love that watch. But if I ever buy a Nova it will be one of the originals, which I like better. Love the dials on these but not much else… and the 37mm case is probably too far out of my comfort zone.
I expect many lovers of the original Nova will be much more luke on this one. It's a big departure from the original style. The Eagle is a cool design as well! Cheers
Looking forward to the full review, Legibility seems to be not ideal at some angles but it could just be lighting. Are you able to do a side shot comparison with a swordfish field, due to it being known for it's short lug to lug for a Zelos. I have some interest in the salmon/mop but there's a part of me that wants to hunt an og linen dial instead to get lume and that extremely classy dial
The legibility is partly valid and partly lighting. I'll better showcase it in the full review, across lighting and angles. It's never the most legible but gets the job done. Unfortunately, I don't have a Swordfish Field but I'll try get some decent comps. Cheers
I don’t think it will sell well for all the reasons stated by other watchers. I wish they would have used more contrast on the indices. Maybe blue or black numerals?
Black/gunmetal hardware is one of my suggestions in the full review as well, similar to the Comet. It would enhance legibility. Cheers
So torn. Many of the V1 hallmarks are gone. It's lovely in its own right but its a brutal evolution when compared to its predecessor. Elshan really nails the execution and sometimes too well, too Orsen Well(es). Insanely influential and underappreciated at the same present time. You know?
Absolutely. In the full review, I largely treat it like a different model, despite the comparisons with the original and sharing some case contour similarities. Cheers
legibility is a real issue with this one, the numeral indices just disappear into the dial, as well as being too small for the dial. And the case polishing doesn't meet the level to match the quality of movement and dial finish
It's not the most legible combo, though it's been workable in the real world. I have varied footage in the full review to help give a better idea. I'm partial to the brushed touches of the original as well for a bit more sport. Cheers
It's a beautiful watch, and this flat case design is magnificent, and I'm sure it'll have a unique fit on the wrist. But I'm not so sure if I like this semi-sterile look, and this watch is so dressy that I feel the occasions on which I would wear it would be very limited.
It definitely shifts away from the dress sport of the original and more into full dress. Very much changes the vibe, for better or worse. Cheers
This model is actually better looking than the 10 years anniversary helmsman.
I prefer it as well. The original Nova is my favorite Zelos model and this one, while a big departure, carries forward some of the things I love the most. Cheers
@@JonathanTReviews many people tend to forget what a Zelos is. In fact the helmsman is underwhelming for me compared to this Nova 2 on various aspects.
All this Helmsman offered is only the special (or not so rare) timacus dial. The compressor style, even the movement, and the rest is unchanged at all since 2014.
In fact this 10 year helmsman is going backwards or worse, is in solid caseback instead of display case back, unfinished date window, and Blue keeper on the FKM strap instead of a good leather strap.
I hate to say it but all the negative space on the dial where the eye automatically looks for the logo makes it look like an Ali express watch. An unusual miss from Elshan for me.
I probably prefer the traditional logo application over the 6 o'clock location as well. Cheers
Hard pass for me. Waaaay too much patterning on that dial with nothing to contrast it with and break up the monotony. Very hard on the eyes. Same for the dial case - no brushing at all? Why bother with indices that are barely legible? Surprising miss from Zelos.
Definitely a big departure from the original. Cheers
Beautiful dial, but far too small.
It still has a fair amount of presence and IMO works with the dress watch styling, but I'm sure others will agree, especially since it's 1mm smaller than the prior. Cheers
Not a fan of the fully polished case. I feel like a light brush would bring out the intricacies of the dial better instead of overshining it. I find this part about it a bit irritating, because it cheapens down the overall appearance and at this price point I don't consider it a cheap watch.
Another thing I am not necessarily happy with is the crystal case back, as there is really nothing exciting to look at with this hand winding off the shelf movement. It looks boring. A brushed case with a (maybe engraved) solid case back would have done a lot more to capture the vintage appearance of the watch.
I have the same issue with my Zelos Comet. It's not a movement I enjoy looking at. Would have preferred a solid case back on it, too. But nowadays every microbrand manufacturer seems to think it's mandatory to have a crystal case back.
I would have preferred some brushing too. The 7001 in this one is better decorated than the Sellita in the Comet, but I can understand the preference. I show it better in the full review going live today. The positive with this one is that it doesn't add any thickness like many exhibition backs do. Cheers
Not my cup of tea, simpler dials and the bracelet included was much better.Also a scratch magnet. Wish nova1 would be still available.
Understandable, it's a big departure from the original in many regards. Very different feel to the watch. Cheers
I don’t… well… I guess the backside of the watch is nice. I’m disappointed by this I feel like it’s a misstep.
It's definitely a big departure from the original design.
Very dressy watch. I'd swap the straps for something formal and it should be good for a formal occasion.
The stock strap isn't ideal IMO either. I show a couple different combos in the full review going live today. Cheers
Too much on that dial
The "Swiss independent" styling change is proving to be a polarizing switch. Cheers
Nope. Just nope. Everything that made the Nova nice, is taken away here...😢
It's certainly a big departure in many noticeable respects. Cheers
Zelos has fallen off.
I think the quality for the money is still there but I can understand the changing design language not being for everyone.
Zelos mean sold out . A micro brand overpriced without reason
Respectfully disagree. Zelos offers some of the best values in the industry IMO.
The first Nova is the best looking Zelos and somehow with the second iteration it’s one of their worst (in recent times) really disappointing tbh…
It's definitely a significant stylistic departure from the original. I largely view it as a different model. Cheers