Welcome to the forum. I'm not the most knowledgeable member regarding this Zenith line, but I'll share what I can.

The Port Royal name has been used by Zenith for many years, referring to a number of styles. Here's one from the seventies with an oval dial.

Unless I'm mistaken the Port Royal models that you are referring to were released on the mid two thousands. At the time brands like Franck Muller or Ulysse Nardil had popularized this style with the large Arabic numerals.

I'm not sure whether Zenith released its Port Royal line in this style before or after the models above, but it all took place around the same time.

It seems to have had a good run, with a large number of exotic complications versions being released in the late 2000s, but then it seems that the market turned toward other styles and the line was discontinued at some point around 2010 or perhaps slightly after. You'll notice that all the winding rotors on the Port Royal models are in a style that places them before the redesign with the star cutout that took place under J-F Dufour.

There are still some Port Royal models out there today, but they seem to be very simple three hand models with either Martel movements or the infamous Calibre 3000.

As for the major differences between the two watches that you reference above, it is simple and at the same time very complex, as it is basically the difference between the Elite and El Primero calibers, which is extensive. I will have to let you do your own research on that subject. Suffice it to say, you can't go wrong with either of them, it's just a matter of whether you want a chronograph or GMT.

 

Thank you for your reply,


It seems like the Port Royal is one of the less popular lines. I have found that the Port Royal models are always priced much lower than their counterparts, hence why the Port Royal El Primero is on the way. Having finished my studies about a year ago, my watch collection is still rather small.

I apologize if I stated my question in an obscure manner. What I meant to ask is what the difference between the 0451 and the 0450 model is? The 0451 and 0450 are reference numbers on both the GMT and the chronograph, as there are 0451.400, 0451.682, 0450.400 and 0450.682

 

Welcome to the forum. These middle numbers mainly refer to the dial style. In this case it seems to me that the .0450. has a white dial and the .0451. has a black dial. It is interesting as you pointed out that this was extended to both the El Primero and the Elite GMT lines.

 

I don't believe that the .0451 and .0450 refer the dial color because you can find the .0450 with both a white and black dial. The same goes for the .0451. It also seems that the .0451 commands a higher value in comparison to the .0450. I have done extensive research and I still cannot find the difference between the two reference numbers. My next step will be to contact Zenith.

 

Very good, keep us posted if you find out more.

 

My guess is that the 0450 is the "plain" dial whereas the 0451 has a sort of guilloche pattern in the middle.....

Hartmut Richter

 

I find it interesting that some feel the Elite movement is somehow inferior to the El Primero. It is not inferior of course. While it may not be a high-beat movement, the Elite is a very high quality, durable, accurate movement. Although I'm sure it's little tough to compete with an icon like the El Primero. Which forces one to acquire at least one of each. ;-)

 

Well, I certainly am one who doesn't feel that the "Elite" is inferior. At the same time, I do wonder why the "Elite" was 3.28mm thick when it came out in 1994 (both the central seconds - Cal. 670 - and subseconds - Cal. 680 - versions were that thick) but now this has gone up to 3.47mm for both versions. Could it be that the original versions, close to being the thinnest automatic, bidirectionally winding wrist watch movements with three hands plus date ever made, were just a little too thin? And that they had recurrent issues that forced the makers to strengthen them here and there and raise the movement thickness? The El Primero certainly has never had such an inexplicable and sudden girth increase (OK, in this case: height increase! - watch movements aren't people!)?!!

Hartmut Richter

 

So I heard back from Zenith.

"Thank you for your interesting question, and congratulations for this acquisition.
The difference between the .0450. and the .0451. models in this case simply relates to their dial colors: while the .0450. had a silvered dial, the .0451. had a black dial.

For further information about your specific model and the Port Royal V line, here is a link to our dedicated Zenith Service enabling you to subscribe for an in-depth research about your watch within the Archives of our Manufacture, based on good photographs of its case and movement as well: Once you are there, we simply invite you to click on "REQUEST AN ARCHIVE EXTRACT"."

 

Thanks for the update!

 

My first EP! Timing my walk home, she runs perfectly.

 

The 01.0451.400/21 was available around 2000 and 2001. I bought mine new in 2001 and I still have it. I think I paid around $2000 for it. I still have the catalog from 2000. Here are some photos of the pages with this model. Also, you may or may not have realized this watch has an odd size 21mm lug width. I can see the extra space in your photo. Here is a link to a strap that will fit the watch properly and match the original style that came with the watch.

https://www.globalwatchband.com/matte-stitched-alligator-grain-watch-band-21mm.html