Reply With QuoteZenith for me. I've been a fan of it for a very long time.
Guys,
I'm in the lucky position to be able to afford one of the above but can't make my mind up. Been a fan of Zeniths for a long time and been hankering for a 1969 dial one for a while now. Never really been a Rolex fan but saw the BLNR in the window of a shop the other day and it's grown on me BIG time.
Zenith
Rolex
Zenith for me. I've been a fan of it for a very long time.
New = Rolex
Pre-Owned = Zenith
I find the GMT complication useful to went for that:
Genuinely interested to know the reason for this. Equivalent price bracket? Depreciation considerations? Availability?Originally Posted by DB9yeti
It depends on what you already have.
If you already have a chronograph then I go with the GMT.
The Rolex is a good buy for a new watch at an AD, you'll barely lose anything on it if it has to go and the savings buying pre-owned are not that significant - so if the OP is set on buying brand new, this is a good choice.
The Zenith's value will be murdered if bought from new; may as well save a chunk of cash and buy second hand and have a very good watch indeed for a much smaller outlay.
Thank you
I always let my existing collection complicate matters ie if I had a GMT watch or a sea of chronos then I'd get something different.
All being equal I'd go for the blnr now and save for the zenith as they're likely to be more affordable second hand
It would be the Zenith for me. I've allways liked them but the depriciation has put me off buying new. I managed to pick one up recently for way below RRP.
Will be buying new, I can get a discount on the Zenith but with the Rolex the price is pretty much set. So with the discount the Zenith is cheaper then the Rolex so shouldn't loose much, I hope.
Will you use the chrono much? It so, will the overlapping subdials frustrate you?
The Zenith needs to be discounted 35% for you to protect yourself. The grey dealers or European ADs should be able to get that sort of money off for you (although perhaps not on something as desirable as this).
can i ask what else is in your collection ? Would help knowing how well either of the above would fit in....
They're both fine choices.
As others have said, the Zenith will take a big hit on resale value, but it's possible to get a substantial discount if buying new. I prefer the 38 mm version of the EP, as I think it's better-proportioned and will age better than its 42 mm cousin:
However, assuming you don't already have a steel Rolex, I'd lean toward the GMT; it always seems that once a person starts wanting one, they won't be satisfied until they have one.
+1I find the GMT complication useful to went for that:
Both lovely watches.
The Rolex is more of an all rounder whlst the Zenith is a bit smarter, so depends on what your intended usage is and what else you have in your collection.
As already said though, the Rolex is a much sounder buy from new. The Zenith is much more likely to hurt if you want to get out, but that may not be a concern if you intend to keep as buying to mark a special occasion.
BOTH! And not just because I couldn't decide but I think they make a great 'cover all bases' pair.
I've got a Seadweller and Tag Carrera 'Jack Heuer 1964 Ltd Ed' which whilst older and cheaper cover me for pretty much every eventuality.
If I had £3-4k spare I would happily upgrade both to the watches on your list.
Get the Rolex from the AD with 4 years Interest Free credit.
By the Zenith used or haggle hard if you can it from the same AD.
Current collection consists of:
Iwc pilots chronograph 3717
Omega Planet ocean
Breitling Navitimer
Tag Monaco
I am biased but the BLNR wins every time for me. The Zenith is a good loking watch but as stated the residuals mean you will take an instant hot. On saying that I tend not to be a flipper so residuals don't affect me as much as obtaining the watch I like or want the most.
I'm biased but the BLNR all day imo.
Rolex GMT for me but my favourite watches are the GMT models
I'd buy the Rolex
However...Fraser Hart in Bluewater had the 38mm Zenith EP reduced to a flat 4k last week
Do you know if that was the bracelet version?
And OP, I'd get the Zenith, but as others have said, make sure you get the right discount.
Difficult call, I want both of these.
No brainer for me, I'd take the Zenith (with an appropriate discount or ideally used), but I'd want the open hearted one.
I know it divides opinions, but I love seeing the movement whirring away.
M.
Zenith.
Zenith for me.
What AD will give you 4 yrs IFC on a steel sports Rolex?
Crouch and WoS in Cardiff wouldn't entertain that for me. I admit that I didn't push them but their offer was 20% down and the remainder over 24 months.
Zenith all day. Sold my Rolex to fund mine.
If I were in your shoes I'd follow my heart, which, in my shoes, says Zenith.
Zenith, Zenith and thrice i tell thee - Zenith.
They are sublime watches.
R***x by comparison are dull,dull,dull..
Ignore the naysayers with their tales of residual woes, i can tell you`re a man of taste, mettle and of high moral fibre, not one of these transient, fickle wristwatch owning `flipper` types who change watches more often than they do their tactical underpants - what does second-hand value mean when you`re going to keep it for ever...?
For me it depends on whether or not you already own a Rolex or not.
Once I got a Rolex I felt I could look at other watches with a fresh pair of eyes. They are a very dominant brand until you get them out of your system.
BLNR
Ive just bought one as my first Rolex and I adore it!!
Or how about this zenith instead :)
Which one do you like best? Both lovely watches, although the Zenith will really only be lovely if you get it with a rather large discount and ideally on the bracelet, as to add the bracelet later would be rather costly.
Second hand EP. The Rolex is, just a Rolex. There's millions of them :)
I would like a Zenith 36,000 chrono but not this one. The sub dial arrangement baffles me, why does the hour dial cover the seconds and minutes?
From these two, my choice would be the Rolex.
Both, I fortunately have a BLNR but keep looking at the Zenith or similar ones, think the 38mm would suit me best-maybe one day!
Rolex all day long.
BLNR for me. I have an older Explorer II and find the GMT useful. One day I will trade up to a BLNR for "a bit of blue".
Never been a fan of chronographs but Zenith make some stunning watches so maybe one day I will be wearing one (a non chrono)!
The Rolex is much more wearable everyday so it gets my vote, I have one as part of a small collection and it gets all the wear.
I got 3 years on a new SD recently. 20% with 36 months IFC.
And for the record it would be the GMT, the only chrono for me is the speedy!
And some, although I do like the Zenith. Shame it's up against the Rolex.
Both great choices, you will get plenty of people that will never see beyond Rolex but in this instance I would choose the Zenith.
Last edited by shalako; 9th January 2016 at 01:18.
Very different watches and a place in a collection for both. As others have said, buy the Zenith wisely and you will have much pleasure without losing an arm and a leg or stick with the BLNR and be able to flip it all day long should you want to.
Zenith. Much more sexy.
Very good point, this summaries how I feel. I don't want to like Rolex but the pull is strong. Fascinating actually
Zenith! Rolex are far too ubiquitous.
Yes, both are different ...... Zenith is sexier !!!!
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