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Zenith El Primero takes my breath away. Is there a poor man's version? Update: Bought it.

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50K views 146 replies 50 participants last post by  gcalin  
#1 · (Edited)
EDIT: Took all your advice to heart, thanks to the WUS community. I now own my first grail watch. See my post on page 7 for photo.
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This El Primero 36000 VpH is my grail watch but at over $5500 new ($4500 grey market) it will be a while before I justify buying one. In the mean time, is there anything that looks similar but in the $2000 or less range? No, there are no used versions in this price range.

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(Photo and watch above is WUS member Omegaaddict's 1/10 model El Primero).


The only thing I've seen so far that has the same general "feel" is the Alpina AL-750 Alpiner ($1100 at Jomashop.com)
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#4 ·
Re: Zenith El Primero takes my breath away. Is there a poor man's version?

Great looking watch from a great brand,

I've seen my shares of 3 sub-dials chronograph, but yeah, nothing exactly like it, but there are some similar ones,

Citizens have some Eco Drive chronographs that can be somewhat similar,

 this was actually being sold here on WUS not too long ago, but looking at the sale thread it seems it was traded away
 

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#6 · (Edited)
Re: Zenith El Primero takes my breath away. Is there a poor man's version?

An image search for "zenith el primero homage" throws up options from Invicta and Roamer.

There was also another inexpensive brand with an Italian-sounding name that did one IIRC, but unfortunately the name escapes me. Edit: It was Brera Orologi, not quite as inexpensive as I was thinking.
 
#7 ·
Re: Zenith El Primero takes my breath away. Is there a poor man's version?

Seems silly to spend $2k to get an homage to a $5.5k watch. You'll be lucky to get 50 cents on the dollar when you go to sell your $2k watch, which is nearly 20% of the price of the watch you really want.

Be patient. Keep saving. In the meantime, find something for a few hundred dollars that will keep you satisfied until you've got enough set aside to buy the Zenith.
 
#8 ·
Re: Zenith El Primero takes my breath away. Is there a poor man's version?

UberDave said:
Seems silly to spend $2k to get an homage to a $5.5k watch. You'll be lucky to get 50 cents on the dollar when you go to sell your $2k watch, which is nearly 20% of the price of the watch you really want.

Be patient. Keep saving. In the meantime, find something for a few hundred dollars that will keep you satisfied until you've got enough set aside to buy the Zenith.
Click to expand...
I agree, a big part of the appeal of the Zenith El Primero is its iconic hi-beat chronograph movement, and I would simply wait until either a grey market or preowned one is within reach, which will only be significantly set back by purchasing a $2000 placeholder, which is almost 45% of the cost of the watch you really want on the grey market.
 
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#10 ·
Re: Zenith El Primero takes my breath away. Is there a poor man's version?

Frankly, I don't think there's any substitute. I've been saving for an EP and am very close to ordering one. The things I love about it is the movement and tri-color dial. I'm surprised more watchmakers haven't tried to duplicate this tri-colored sub-dial feature. But the movement simply can't be copied.

May sound crazy, but I'm thinking about making a 3.5hr road trip to Charlotte, NC to try on a EP Original 1969, 38mm version, at the closest Zenith A.D. to me.

With $2k now, you already have a good start on saving for one. Best of luck!
 
#11 · (Edited)
Re: Zenith El Primero takes my breath away. Is there a poor man's version?

EP 42mm can be had for just under $4k in GM.
Save and get what makes your happy and not a substitute.

PS. That price is for 36kvph not striking 10th.
El Primero to can be a great xmas gift w some saving
 
#14 ·
Re: Zenith El Primero takes my breath away. Is there a poor man's version?

SAVE FOR THE REAL THING. There really is no su stitute for that beauty. You WILL get it if you are patient and willing and f it is worth the money it will have been worth the wait. Find something cheap and original.

Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk
 
#16 ·
Re: Zenith El Primero takes my breath away. Is there a poor man's version?

As mentioned above you should save for the real deal.
This watch seems a little close and a little different too.
 
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#34 ·
Re: Zenith El Primero takes my breath away. Is there a poor man's version?

EugV12 said:
You can find a used El Primero starting in just over 2K range, it just won't be the same model you displayed.
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And which model are you referring to? Ive been monitoring Watch Recon for close to 6 months and have yet to see a decent EP for under $4k(unless some obscure model and is not tri-color). And Ive yet to see a tri-color 38mm EP except for a current posting for 5200 euros which is not exactly a great deal.

Theres a 42mm Tri-color EP for $4,000 right now. I would snatch that up now if it was the 38mm. Ive seen a 42 in person and it is definately a big watch due to dial size.

I think the OP first needs to find out is whether an all-dial 42mm is wearable....if not, youre unfortunately down to one option....the 38mm Original 1969. Though it makes it relatively easy at that point.
 
#20 ·
Re: Zenith El Primero takes my breath away. Is there a poor man's version?

The Primero is one of the best chronos ever, I would recommend to save for a used one, people buy that Zenith not for the look (or at least, not just for the look) but for its movement and historic significance.
 
#25 ·
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#28 ·
Re: Zenith El Primero takes my breath away. Is there a poor man's version?

Hills-Berger said:
This El Primero 36000 VpH is my grail watch but at over $5500 new ($4500 grey market) it will be a while before I justify buying one. In the mean time, is there anything that looks similar but in the $2000 or less range? No, there are no used versions in this price range.

The only thing I've seen so far that has the same general "feel" is the Alpina AL-750 Alpiner ($1100 at Jomashop.com)
Click to expand...
The Alpina is a nice looking watch but it won't look or feel like the the El Primero in person. There really is little similarity. And the further down in price you go the greater the gap in quality. If the El Primero look and movement and what you want then you should consider a nice used model. Find one at a reputable dealer that was recently serviced.
 
#30 ·
Zenith El Primero takes my breath away. Is there a poor man's version?

Stay the course and get the real thing. I can predict you getting a cheaper look-a-like for $2000, only to itch for the real thing down the line, loosing at least $1000 by flipping what you bought to end up spending the same on the zenith.

Save up and get what you WANT, that is the smart thing to do.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
----
Rolex Submariner Date (116610LN)
Omega Speedmaster Pro (311.30.42.30.01.006)
 
#129 ·
Re: Zenith El Primero takes my breath away. Is there a poor man's version?

wuyeah said:
A bit more Character? Russian Poljot Okeah.

View attachment 11242322
Click to expand...
Not really in the same league as the op Watch, but the Okean is an extremely COOL WATCH in its own right. I have always loved them from afar and if I am not mistaken, they have the time and space proven 3133 movement. And about 11% of the cost of the EP
But I agree with most. Save for another year or two..

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