Zenith's Daytona: Was this the right move?
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- Опубликовано: 3 май 2024
- Is the Zenith Chronomaster Sport essentially a Rolex Daytona homage?
Massive thanks to www.kenwatches.com/?lang=en for the hands on of this piece. Do check them out!
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Hi, I'm Ashwin and I make content on Rolex, Tudor, Omega, Patek, AP, Vacheron, A. Lange and a whole host of other really cool watch brands. I also cover more than just the hype watches, Moser for example.
Often I also cover some aspects of the watch market and its relevancy in the short term. Check out some of my other videos on the channel and see if you resonate with the content. There's plenty.
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Zenith have been making chronographs with 3 sub dials since the 60's - they were the first to make an automatic chronograph movement hence the name El Primero. So this model is no different than the steel bezel models of the early 90's
Yes! Exactly why I find nothing to point out about this piece other than the Daytona lifted characteristics. Zeniths noteworthy stuff to me is the El Primero and the Defy collection
Zenith left some things similar, some things very different (in a better way). Movement, pushers, tricolored overlapping dials (even date imho), all better and I think it flys in the face of Rolex that they made a more impressive updated chronograph, save the bracelet.
The shallow explanations I've read toward a homage aren't convincing. I see here Zenith stepping on the back of Rolex to slam dunk a better watch (vision Jim Carry, "Cable Guy")
Solid take, good to hear!
I own this watch and a couple of Daytona variants (including the panda). I like them all. Is it better than Daytona? In some aspects yes, other aspects no. Overall, IMHO, the Daytona is the superior product with a superior branding/reputation/value retention. Regardless of the various opinions that the zenith is better, in reality and objectively it is not, do I care? No...
I agree rolex is the benchmark, and you can't escape from this fact. I don't think zenith were trying to change that. I think they just wanted a piece of the pie and they achieved it. Am I glad it exist? Hell yea...
I am glad both watches exist, and I sometimes feel bad they introduced exactly same iterations as the Daytona iterations. But overtime, I don't really care, it is not bothering me as before.
To summarize, this watch gave more people the opportunity to try the "Daytona experience" that rolex denied most people from having. And they did that without having to buy a super fake or pay 3 times rrp to a grey dealer. You can still sit proud in any watch enthusiast gathering and be proud about your watch and it's history/superior technical aspects. Thanks zenith and shame on rolex.
Got to say, you’ve got the best take I’ve seen! Good to hear from an owner of both, quite a rare occurrence!
@@StandardTime thank you. Long time silent follower. Keep up the good work
As you said, it’s a smart move from Zenith. From what I see is Zenith fullfiling what people want that AP and Rolex can’t give, revival of historical pieces with modern take design that would might look like some hayped up watches like the Daytona and RO, with reasonable prices as a luxury watch brand, and availabilty.
The star motif and Zenith wording are inextricably linked via the sky.
It just looks horrible as a logo to me. Could’ve done something more!
I totally agree with you. In fairness, a ton of people buying this watch at retail are coming to it because it absolutely looks like a Daytona and they can’t get the Daytona. Is it high quality? Yes. But it’s selling because it has homage appeal, even if it isn’t an homage. Commenters don’t like that answer but tough crap, it’s the truth.
Spot on! Cheers and thanks for sharing your thoughts, William :)
Don’t forget daytona started with el primero caliber
No it actually launched with a Valjoux movement I’m lead to believe
@@StandardTime true. El primero was right after
Yep El primero was right after ….So Rolex probably was the initial borrower
Valjoux (60's design) is a blatant copycat of 50's Speedy . Speedy design itself isn't original to begin with. 60's model is a total flop & nobody bought that. Later, zenith movement based Daytona becomes popular . @@StandardTime
rolex and zenith my 2 favorites but the way rolex conducts business these days im done with them at least with zenith you can actually buy one.
Very true!
AP has something special? They have only one sellable watch... That something special isn't a watch, it's hype...
Yeah one watch but they’ve really perfected it. And they’re selling extremely well. The one trick pony seems to outdo most brands in terms of revenue and desirability.
@@StandardTime Yeah I know. Speaks volumes about the herd that is their target audience LOL
Haha
Rolex chronograph before they used zenith used eta like lot's of watch manufacturers did seiko is all in house but nobody talks about them 😂
All in house without any chronometer and big tolerance on time keeping. Don’t get me wrong I love seiko.
How is it soooo similar to daytona? because it has 3 subdials and 3 crowns? come on dude! The subdials couldn't be any more different... the bezel actually has 1/10th scale and not a tachymeter... Also, Zenith comes with different types (color, material) of bezels. Zenith has a date while Daytona doesn't. I mean I get it, its a watch, so that is certainly a similarity. it's a 3 subdial chronograph. OK... But that's as far I am willing to go. The watch's dimensions and fit on the wrist is soo different from daytona too... But it's OK, you don't have to like it.... It's like early 2000s Lexus GS vs MB E class. Do they have similarities in their looks? Hell yeah! Is one an homage to the other? Hell no!
Dimensions of the bezel, material selection, colour and style are uncanny resemblances. Choice of rolex oyster style PCL is too. Hands are nearly identical. Model lineup is almost the same strategy. Launch spec of black and white dials, indicate they were going for the same exact market. It’s quite clear that the target watch was the Daytona.
Since Zenith has plenty of chronos with their 3600 movement, I don’t think there would even be a conversation about this if it wasn’t so clearly similar to the Daytona.
@@StandardTime Dude, you are totally off. Those are the same hands as my Defy 21 skeleton has which came out years before... material selection - same base metals as every other watch co (applies to the bezel and case) because nobody else has come up with anything new... All the other materials are add on features in this industry. Black and white dials are 2 basic colors which every manufacturer uses as launch dial colors unless you are Grand Seiko, ANORDAIN or moser.
Respectfully totally disagree. Bezel, movement, design all different. if this looks like a Daytona then you can say the same thing with all chrongraphs on the market.
If u squint it looks like a Daytona, if u squint on an El Primero, Speedy Pro, Speedy 57, navitimer, Avi, carrera, etc... they do not like like a Daytona. Same as the 39mm Seiko Speedtimer, looks like a Daytona. I think Zenith knew what they were doing aesthetically
@@edotedy Basically the Zenith is a better watch with a better movement and better value. When the Daytona first came out Rolex couldn't sell it.
@@timmcdonald5335 Better movement? Agree on manual wind Valjoux based cal 722 727 Daytonas.
However, even Zenith made cal 4030 for Rolex is better finished and specced than the cal 400 that Zenith themselves use, just find pictures of comparison online, Rolex specified them to be higher grade. Rolex cal 4130 4131 however is better than cal 400 (understandable since its a heritage movement, just ask any watchmaker that have serviced both, the Zenith is more beautiful I'd agree)... and also this newer 3600 too. The Rolex 4130 were not built to compete with Zenith, they outclassed it. It was built to outclass the FP1185.
Did u know they already revised this cal 3600 because of issues. Look at the launch CMS cal 3600 vs recent one such as the titanium CMS cal 3600, the gear train bridge is different.
I've handled both and currently still own a Daytona, imho the Zenith is definitely not a better watch. Agree on better value, especially secondary prices wise.
Very fair opinion! Thanks for sharing Tim :)
Hello, zenith is the grandfather of daytona.. Zenith is the 1st Automatic Chronograph, Zenith made movement for daytona till 2000 before daytona have it own in house movement in 2000, daytona own everything to zenith n U call zenith a homage.. Best joke of the year!!
What a bunch of stupid takes. First you say good thickness for automatic chronograph should be at 11mm or 12? Daytona is 12.2, Zenith wears almost same as Daytona, I own one and had Daytona on my wrist for extended periods of time and they wear kknda the same with Zenith sitting just tiny but taller. Name me one automatic chronograph in that price range that is 11mm thick? You say logo is bad, the star is a great logo and it looks nice, well polished and applied on the dial, gives thr dial more charm. Sports watches today are not really sports watches, if you need aspirts watch you’ll get a Garmin or Suunto, these watches are luxury pieces and they should shine a bit with those pcl’s, all watches scratch, get over it. You say Zenith’s movement is nothing special and through your video you are comparing it to Daytona that had basic 4130 movement with pushers you need to unscrew to use while Zenith has great complication and added datewheel to it, come on man, you are full of it, this is the wirst take on a great watch. Put them side to side and besides hands and pcl’s tell me what is the same design wise. Lugs? Case? Crown? Pushers? Insert? Subdials?
1. It doesn’t wear anywhere close to the same. Thickness being a large factor.
2. You like the star, I don’t. That’s about it. I think more people would agree that that is beyond lacklustre and unoriginal for a logo.
3. Datewheel to me on a watch, is an annoying complication. Some would say it breaks symmetry and the 4:30 positioning doesn’t do it favours.
4. Screw down pushers have more design to them than non. They’re also more watertight. Although yes, stupidly inconvenient, I’ll give that to you.
5. Calling the movement not special, is in relation to the watch it’s in and the fact that it’s nothing new for this watch release. All the other zenith chronos have had this for ages. If anything, this watch is a repackaged Zenith el primero in Daytona clothing. The watch brings nothing new to the table and Zenith brings a lot of cool stuff with their actual watches: the Defy collection.
6. Similarities. I can’t help you if you choose to not recognise patterns, and I quite heavily mention the bezel as a large factor.
I’m glad you love the piece and are enjoying it and don’t let this video take from that. Just see it as another perspective!
@@StandardTime
I had both and I tell yoh they wear pretty similar, the way CMS sits on the wrist makes it look like it’s thinner than it is.
I think both crown and star are not super original logos but done in such a way that they pop and look great on the dial. Datewheel is the best complication possible but yes people will say it breaks the symmetry. There is no point of screw down pushers on a watch that is a chronograph, period. I would like to know what type of movement would you like in this CMS? 3600 is a masterpiece, a d open caseback is such a fine detail to see how everything works together. Daytona is a great piece, bracelet on it is better on it than on Zenith but that’s about it, finishing is not even close to be fair.
Zenith kind of based on rolex? are you serious? Dude, puff puff and pass... Zenith has since introduced Defy Skyline, new pilots and new divers none of which resemble any ugliness rolex churns out by the millions... Come on rolex fanboy (and that's not used as a complement).
Just the chronomaster sport lineup. Have a look at their catalogue for it and compare it to the rolex strategy, it’s one and the same!
@@StandardTime So the new Zenith tripple calendar is homage to the skydweller?
@@almeladzeZenith watches look absolutely shite except the El Primero, which clearly resembles the Daytona. You can deny all you want but Zenith loves to push that “Zenith used to supply chronograph movements to Rolex” line. Triple Calendar? Is Zenith the only brand who can manufacture Triple Calendar or something?