Recently Sold

WHY THIS WATCH A surprising offering from Fortis, which is known for making sporty chronographs. The Fortis Terrestis a refreshingly simple time and date only watch, with a very graceful and elegant design. The Grey dial shows off some beautiful rose-gold plated batons and a nicely stepped second sub-dial at 6. The teardrop lugs are a welcome design element and make the watch all the more comfortable. At 40mm and only 10mm thick, this watch will slip under any cuff. Inside you've got a bulletproof ETA 2895-2. It's not decorated like a Patek, but it is a reliable workhorse movement that enables this watch to be at a reasonable price-point. 

THE LITTLE DETAILS

Watch is Brand new, never worn, with sticker still on the back. Comes with Box, tags, manual, and unfilled warranty card. 

Available for Pickup in our Showroom in Mclean, Virginia 
Want to see this watch in person? We are located in Mclean Virginia off of Chain Bridge Road. We are by appointment only (no walk ins), so please shoot us an email to schedule a time and get the address. 

WHY THIS WATCH

This beautiful chronograph has hands inspired by the batons of an orchestra conductor. It's topped with a gorgeous blue dial that has a wonderful sheen, especially in direct light. At 41mm, this watch fits more like a 40mm due to the compact lugs. Inside we have the Hamilton H-21 chronograph movement, which has an extended power reserve of 60 hours. This is a fantastic chronograph in the sub $1,000 range. 

THE LITTLE DETAILS Watch is 2021, and a one owner watch in Near Mint condition with only the lightest wear from being tried on. Comes with Box and Papers. 

Available for Pickup in our Showroom in Mclean, Virginia 

Want to see this watch in person? We are located in Mclean Virginia off of Chain Bridge Road. We are by appointment only (no walk ins), so please shoot us an email to schedule a time and get the address. 

WHY THIS WATCH

This watch was made in a limited run of 2000 pieces to commemorate Carl Brashear, the first African American to qualify as a NAVY diver and the first amputee to qualify as a US NAVY diver. 

This watch is based on the very popular Diver's 65 aesthetic, and comes in an all-bronze case. At 40mm in diameter, 13.3mm thick, 48mm lug to lug, and with a 20mm lug width this watch will fit mosts wrists and slip under any cuff. The caseback shows a nice engraving of a vintage divers helmet, alongside a quote by Carl Brashear. This case is water resistant to 100m. 

Dial-Side, the first thing that pops out is the crystal, which is actually a highly curved sapphire crystal, though it looks like an acrylic. You get the best of both worlds here, with the scratch resistance of sapphire and vintage look of an acrylic. Gold plated  markers are used on to outline the beautiful deep blue gloss dial. The 120 click bezel is also bronze, and uni-directional with lume on the numerals. 

Inside we have the calibre 401, which is automatic winding, 5 day power reserve movement. This is no run of the mill movement. There's 2 mainsprings here, giving you 5 days of power, which is a few days more than a standard movement. The balance wheel is silicone, and tuned to -3 +5 seconds per day at the factory, which is within COSC specs. 

This is so such a great watch for the money. You're getting an all bronze case, housing a movement that is not at all run of the mill. The fact that this is limited to 2000 pieces will also help resale value.  

THE LITTLE DETAILS

Watch is Like New - was purchased New in 2021 and was only tried on, but never worn. It comes with the Outer Box, Inner Box and Manuals and Warranty Card. 

Available for Pickup in our Showroom in Mclean, Virginia 

Want to see this watch in person? We are located in Mclean Virginia off of Chain Bridge Road. We are by appointment only (no walk ins), so please shoot us an email to schedule a time and get the address. 

WHY THIS WATCH

Inspiration from the Past

 

In the 1950's diving was starting to become a more popular sport around the world. It was at this time in 1957 that Breitling released the SuperOcean Chronograph, reference 807. The reference 807 was designed for divers who needed a hearty and reliable watch for their underwater explorations. The SuperOcean line was water resistant to 200m, which was huge at the time. They also carried a distinctive style, including triangle shaped hands as well as circular/triangular hour markers. Breitling has carried the inspiration from this model to today, with this 44mm DLC Coated Superocean Chronograph. 

Two Tone Love

 

This watch is 44mm in diameter with a Two Tone 18k Rose Gold and Steel case, and limited edition Grey Dial with black eye sub-registers. This watch is big and bold, and isn't shy about showing it. Because the watch comes on a mesh style rubber strap that is extremely comfortable, it's wearable despite being 44mm and over 15mm thick. I'll also mention the Rubber strap comes with a micro-adjust feature on the deployment, assuring the perfect fit as your wrist expands and contracts. 

Bullet-Proof Calibre

 

In the past, Breitling watches have used off-the-shelf ETA Calibres for most of their movements. In 2009, Breitling announced it's first in-house chronograph movement after 5 years of Research and Development. The B01 is a column-wheel self-winding chronograph with a vertical coupling system which eliminates hand-jumping when the chronograph is activated. The movement also utilizes an index regulating system inside the movement which allows for easy rate adjustment. It's got 70 hours of Power Reserve off of a single barrel. In terms of finishing, this movement is nicely finished but don't expect it to be at the level of a Patek or AP. We've got the standard Cotes De Geneve, Circular Finishing, and diamond-polished bevels. 

  

Wrist Impressions

 

On the wrist this is a large watch, that wears a touch smaller due to the comfortable Rubber Strap. The Grey dial has a very nice shimmer to it, especially in direct light. The Two Tone case makes this a dressy option, but it's still a big beefy chrono so it can pull off a sportier look as well. Working the chronograph, you can really tell the in-house movement was worth it, with stop start and reset of the chronograph on a different level. 

THE LITTLE DETAILS

Watch is in Like Condition with Box and Papers, and was only tried on at our store, with only some minor wear on the deployment (see pics) from handling. Watch is currently under Breitling Warranty. Watch is limited to 200 pieces.  Watch Retails for $9,450.

Come Visit our Storefront in Mclean, Virginia

Want to see this watch in person? We are located in Mclean Virginia a few minutes from Tysons Corner I and II malls. We are by appointment only, so please look us up on the web to get the number and schedule a time to browse our catalog. 

WHY THIS WATCH

*This watch is Limited to 250 pieces and sold out everywhere. At the time of this writing, this is the only one available for sale online!*

Inspiration from the Past

 

In the 1950's diving was starting to become a more popular sport around the world. It was at this time in 1957 that Breitling released the SuperOcean Chronograph, reference 807. The reference 807 was designed for divers who needed a hearty and reliable watch for their underwater explorations. The SuperOcean line was water resistant to 200m, which was huge at the time. They also carried a distinctive style, including triangle shaped hands as well as circular/triangular hour markers. Breitling has carried the inspiration from this model to today, with this 44mm DLC Coated Superocean Chronograph. 

DLC Love

 

This watch is 44mm in diameter with a DLC coated steel case, and limited edition green dial with black eye sub-registers. This watch is big and bold, and isn't shy about showing it. Because the watch comes on a mesh style rubber strap that is extremely comfortable, it's wearable despite being 44mm and over 15mm thick. I'll also mention the Rubber strap comes with a micro-adjust feature on the deployment, assuring the perfect fit as your wrist expands and contracts. 

Bullet-Proof Calibre

 

In the past, Breitling watches have used off-the-shelf ETA Calibres for most of their movements. In 2009, Breitling announced it's first in-house chronograph movement after 5 years of Research and Development. The B01 is a column-wheel self-winding chronograph with a vertical coupling system which eliminates hand-jumping when the chronograph is activated. The movement also utilizes an index regulating system inside the movement which allows for easy rate adjustment. It's got 70 hours of Power Reserve off of a single barrel. In terms of finishing, this movement is nicely finished but don't expect it to be at the level of a Patek or AP. We've got the standard Cotes De Geneve, Circular Finishing, and diamond-polished bevels. 

  

Wrist Impressions

 

On the wrist this is a large watch, that wears a touch smaller due to the comfortable Rubber Strap. The Green Dial has a very nice shimmer to it, especially in direct light. The DLC coating makes this mostly a sporty watch that would be hard to dress up. Working the chronograph, you can really tell the in-house movement was worth it, with stop start and reset of the chronograph on a different level. 

THE LITTLE DETAILS

Watch was purchased in 2021, was registered with Breitling and is still under Breilting Warranty until 2026. Watch is in overall excellent condition, with some surface wear, mostly on one of the lugs (See pic). The ceramic bezel and crystal do not have any wear. I would say the watch is overall 9/10. The watch is operating flawlessly, keeping good time, and the chronograph is resetting to zero. Watch is limited to 250 pieces and is sold out everywhere.  Original Retail is $9,450. 

Come Visit our Storefront in Mclean, Virginia

Want to see this watch in person? We are located in Mclean Virginia a few minutes from Tysons Corner I and II malls. We are by appointment only, so please look us up on the web to get the number and schedule a time to browse our catalog. 

WHY THIS WATCH

Inspiration from the Past

 

Longines does a great job of doing remakes of vintage references that are very close in the look and feel of the original, while providing modern build quality and finish. The Legend Diver is part of the Heritage Collection, and is based on the original Legend Diver introduced in the 1950s, the reference 7042. This vintage reference utlilized a "Super Compressor" case for it's water resistance. The case manufacturer Ervin Piquerez SA (EPSA), patented the "Super Compressor" in 1956. The Super Compressor uses water pressure to expand the water resistance. The deeper the watch goes, the tighter the back seals against the gasket.  Longines was not the only brand using the Super Compressor design. Jaeger-LeCoultre, Universal Genève, IWC, Longines and Wittnauer were all using this innovation. EPSA ceased production of the Super Compressor case in the 1970s. 

Very Close to the Original

 

At 42mm in diameter, this watches dimensions are very close to the original. The hands, dial and crowns are also very close to the original. Notice the hash marks on the crowns, and the diver etched on the backside, design details borrowed from the 7042. Dial-Side we have a very clean black lacquered dial with patches of lume on the hour makers. One of the few areas where this watch departs from the original is the addition of a date window, which the 7042 did not have. This watch has two crowns, one of which rotates the internal diving bezel, the other is used to adjust the time and date. 

Bullet-Proof Calibre

 

Inside we a modified ETA caliber 2824-2 which is perhaps one of the most well-known and most recognized movements in the watch industry. It has been in production since 1982. The “-2” indicates that it is the 2nd generation of the movement. The 2824 is considered to be a “workhorse” movement by many watch enthusiasts. 

  

Wrist Impressions

 

On the wrist this watch wears smaller but looks larger than the 42mm would suggest. It wears a bit smaller due to the lug and case design, and looks larger due to the lack of a bezel outside of the inner diver ring. This is a great daily wearer with a clean simple design that can be enjoyed in a more formal setting or in the water.  

THE LITTLE DETAILS

Watch is in excellent condition with wear from normal use. Case has some small scratches from normal wear, and is around 9/10. The leather band comes on the factory Longines deployment and has some wear on it, though it still has plenty of life left, around 7/10. Comes with the large Longines box and Longines book of Exploits only. 

Come Visit our Storefront in Mclean, Virginia

Want to see this watch in person? We are located in Mclean Virginia a few minutes from Tysons Corner I and II malls. We are by appointment only, so please look us up on the web to get the number and schedule a time to browse our catalog. 

WHY THIS WATCH

The Bear is Back!

 

Every year, Oris releases a Limited Edition run of watches to celebrate Holstein, the village Oris was founded in and still works out of today. The Holstein collection is one that usually sells out pretty quickly and collectors look forward to. This 2021 Holstein watch is limited to a run of 250 watches. 

Inspired by the Original Big Crown 

 

This watch has vintage feels, taking inspiration from the original Oris Big Crown from 1938. The case is the perfect size for a neo-vintage piece, at 38mm, the case is both polished and brushed. Dial-side we have a Matte Grey dial, showing a very nice pointer date complication. I've always been a fan of pointer dates, as I feel they maintain the symmetry of the dial. Flip the watch over and you get a nice engraving of the Oris Bear mascot. 

Bullet-Proof Calibre

 

Inside we have an ORIS Calibre 403, which has a longer than usual 5 day power reserve, and one of the best warranties in the business of 10 years. It's worth mentioning that the calibre this is based on, the Oris 400 is known to be a very reliable and bulletproof calibre. 

  

Wrist Impressions

 

I've always loved matte grey dials and straps, and this watch is no exception. There's just enough color here with a touch of red at 6PM for the seconds hand. The pointer date is truly useful and easy to read. At 38mm this watch is going to fit almost anyone perfectly. The big crown makes a statement but doesn't get in the way. 

THE LITTLE DETAILS

Watch was purchased in 2021 and comes with the full set of box and papers including warranty card. Watch is Brand New, never worn. Watch is reference 01 403 7776 4083 and is limited to 250 pieces. 

Come Visit our Storefront in Mclean, Virginia

Want to see this watch in person? We are located in Mclean Virginia a few minutes from Tysons Corner I and II malls. We are by appointment only, so please look us up on the web to get the number and schedule a time to browse our catalog. 

WHY THIS WATCH

Less is More

 

Here's a surprise: Nomos has produced a high end watch in a noble metal. Nomos has always excelled at providing simple, Bauhaus inspired watches with great mechanical movements. While the Lux is new to the Nomos line, the design formula is the same one Nomos has been following for the last 22 years. 

Bauhaus All The Way

 

At first glance the Lux is a simple, time only model that utilizes a new Tonneau case shape. The case is all white gold, with beautiful wire lugs, and case dimensions of 40mm by 36mm by 9mm. The real showstopper is when you flip the watch over and get a view of the stunning, manually wound calibre DUW 2002 (more on that later). Dial side we have a gorgeous, Bauhaus inspired central dial, with a lighter color backdrop. The backdrop really frames the central dial and sub-seconds hand in a way only Nomos can pull off. 

High Level Watchmaking in disguise 

 

The real highlight of this watch is the in-house calibre DUW 2002. This is a full in house, 23 jewel hand would movement with 84 hours of power reserve. The first thing that hits your eye when you flip the watch over is the sunburst pattern on the three quarter plate. This "fine sunbeam polish", is like a traditional Cotes De Geneve pattern on steroids. Peering deeper into the movement we see that Nomos didn't pull any punches. Beveled edges, thermally blued screws, and gold chatons, abound. To top it off we have an engraved balance cock, with "Lovingly produced in Glashutte" etched by hand. This movement is stunning to behold and wind, and truly offers the best of German watchmaking. 

  

Wrist Impressions

 

On the wrist this watch does what Nomos does best - effortless, pretentious free elegance. The older I get, the more attracted I become to simple, hassle free dials. The white gold adds a nice heft to the watch, allowing it to sit flat on your wrist without jumping around, and without being too heavy. In terms of fit, I would say this watch fits like a 39mm-40mm watch. The movement is a joy to behold and wind, so much so that I wish the power reserve duration was a bit shorter than half a week. The shell cordovan strap is perfectly proportioned, with a nice taper and a very nicely designed buckle. 

THE LITTLE DETAILS

Watch was purchased in 2021 and comes with the full set of box and papers including stamped warranty card. Watch is Like New, and only has very minor wear from handling at our storefront, around 98%. 

Come Visit our Storefront in Mclean, Virginia

Want to see this watch in person? We are located in Mclean Virginia a few minutes from Tysons Corner I and II malls. We are by appointment only, so please look us up on the web to get the number and schedule a time to browse our catalog. 

WHY THIS WATCH
Pre-2020 Ceramic bezel Submariners are becoming a great value for those looking for a submariner with modern proportions. Besides the ceramic bezel, which is very hard to scratch and has a beautiful sheen, you get the micro-adjust bracelet, which allows you to find the perfect fit without adding or removing links, and a bulletproof calibre 3135 movement. 

THE LITTLE DETAILS Watch was purchased from it's original owner, who picked up the watch from an Authorized Rolex Dealer. Watch comes with box and papers, including warranty card dated 2013. Overall the watch is in excellent condition, with wear from normal use, around 9/10. Movement is running strong without any issues. Crystal, and ceramic bezel are flawless. 

WHY THIS WATCH

Razor Thin, unique and One of a Kind

 

Jaeger Le-Coultre has been known for it's mastery of ultra-thin mechanical pieces since the early 1900s. JLC mastery is in full frame with this Vintage Inspired Ultra thin mechanical watch released in 100 pieces for The King's Man movie.   

Impossibly Thin Movement

 

This watch is only 4.2mm thick and was inspired by an ultra-thin pocket watch from 1907, nicknamed The "Le Couteau" which means "the knife". This movement has a pocket watch architecture and is composed of 123 components and is assembled by the same watchmakers that are in charge of JLCs grand complications. The 849 is not only thin but also known for it's reliability. 

Slim Case

 

The movement is housed in an all Pink-Gold 40mm case. At 4.25mm, this watch is beyond thin. You won't have to worry about this watch slipping under any cuff. Just as interesting is the winding crown at 12. There's a vintage style bow that covers the winding crown that was inspired by the original pocket watch. The bow is angled towards the lugs, so it doesn't stick out in front of the case. I was worried about how easy it would be to wind such a crown. I'll say this is probably the easiest winding watch I've ever laid fingers on. The bow acts like a perfect holder for your finger and the crown is very free flowing. 

Wrist Impressions

 

This watch is an easy choice for a standout dress watch that no-one else has. On the wrist, this watch cuts such an elegant and seamless profile. The bow at 12 really makes this watch look and feel special, and isn't obtrusive at all. The watch is a joy to wind, and the dial is refreshingly simple. The gator band is one of the most supple ones we have handled. 

THE LITTLE DETAILS

Watch is #1 out of 100. Watch was purchased from an JLC AD in 2021 and is Brand New, never worn. It is under JLC's warranty until 2029. It comes with the full set of box and papers. 

Come Visit our Storefront in Mclean, Virginia

Want to see this watch in person? We are located in Mclean Virginia a few minutes from Tysons Corner I and II malls. We are by appointment only, so please look us up on the web to get the number and schedule a time to browse our catalog. 

WHY THIS WATCH

MasterClass in Subtlety & Old School Watchmaking 

 

Breguet is a brand that you really have to look at in a closer and deeper way to appreciate. This watch is a perfect example. At first glance this is a simple, time-only dress watch with a plain dial. What's so remarkable about this watch to justify the $21,000 retail price?  

It's All about the Dial 

 

The dial here is a perfect example of Breguet's approach to watchmaking. This dial is a Grand Feu "Great Fire" Enamel. The way this dial is made is an extremely time-consuming process in which layers of enamel are added to the dial, which then gets heated in a fire to cast the layers in the place. The base layer alone can contain up to 8 layers. If one mistake is made, the enamel can crack and the entire dial must be thrown out. Are the results worth it? Yes, they are, and you gotta see an enamel dial in person to appreciate it. The dial on this watch can be described as "Whiter than White" or "Pure White". It's just something special that you can't get any other way. Also, enamel never loses it's luster. Just take a look at the catalogs of vintage watches with enamel dials to see how well this type of dial ages. 

Take a look at the subdial on this watch, and notice how it sinks effortlessly, with no transition edge. I have no idea how this was done. The aforementioned dial is the perfect backdrop for those gorgeous blued hands and hand painted black Breguet numerals. 

Slim Case

 

The first thing you notice when strapping this on, besides the standout dial, is how slim this watch is. At only 6.5mm thick, this watch is very thin and comfortable despite being 40mm. You also have a cool fluted middle section that adds some contrast to the case.

 

Calibre 502.35D

 

Breguet certainly isn't a slouch when it comes to movements. This watch is powered by the Calibre 502.35D, which is an ultra slim automatic movement with a 45 Hour Power Reserve. Flipping the watch over you'll notice the movement is beautifully decorated with beveled bridges, Guilloche, Cotes de Geneve, and polished wheels/screws. While this movement is not going to win any awards for innovation, it's a very finely finished and slim movement that's going to provide reliable timekeeping. 

  

Wrist Impressions

 

This watch has such a simple and elegant look and feel. It's truly a dress watch par excellence. What I love most about this dial besides the enamel is it's legibility. There's no sub-dials (other than the offset seconds) to block your view of the hour and minute hands. Also, the wood on the box is really outstanding, and was a nice surprise.

THE LITTLE DETAILS

Watch was purchased from an Breguet AD in 2018 and was worn sparingly. Case and bracelet are around 90%, with very minor wear throughout. Watch is running strong. Comes with all you see in the pictures, including beautiful elm wood box, outer cardboard box, manuals and warranty paperworkAvailable for Pickup in our Showroom in Mclean, Virginia 

Come Visit our Storefront in Mclean, Virginia

Want to see this watch in person? We are located in Mclean Virginia a few minutes from Tysons Corner I and II malls. We are by appointment only, so please look us up on the web to get the number and schedule a time to browse our catalog. 

WHY THIS WATCH

A Masterclass in Subtlety and Old-School Watchmaking 

Breguet is a brand that you really have to look at in a closer and deeper way to appreciate. This watch is a perfect example. At first glance this is a simple, time-only dress watch with a plain dial. What's so remarkable about this watch to justify the $21,000 retail price?  

It's All about the Dial 

The dial here is a perfect example of Breguet's approach to watchmaking. This dial is a Grand Feu "Great Fire" Enamel. The way this dial is made is an extremely time-consuming process in which layers of enamel are added to the dial, which then gets heated in a fire to cast the layers in the place. The base layer alone can contain up to 8 layers. If one mistake is made, the enamel can crack and the entire dial must be thrown out. Are the results worth it? Yes, they are, and you gotta see an enamel dial in person to appreciate it. The dial on this watch is can be described as "Whiter than White" or "Pure White". It's just something special that you can't get any other way. Also, enamel never loses it's luster. Just take a look at the catalogs of vintage watches with enamel dials to see how well this type of dial ages. 

Take a look at the subdial on this watch, and notice how it sinks effortlessly, with no transition edge. I have no idea how this was done. The aforementioned dial is the perfect backdrop for those gorgeous blued hands and hand painted black Breguet numerals. 

Slim Case

The first thing you notice when strapping this on, besides the standout dial, is how slim this watch is. At only 6.5mm thick, this watch is very thin and comfortable despite being 40mm. You also have a cool fluted middle section that adds some contrast to the case.

Calibre 502.35D

Breguet certainly isn't a slouch when it comes to movements. This watch is powered by the Calibre 502.35D, which is an ultra slim automatic movement with a 45 Hour Power Reserve. Flipping the watch over you'll notice the movement is beautifully decorated with beveled bridges, Guilloche, Cotes de Geneve, and polished wheels/screws. While this movement is not going to win any awards for innovation, it's a very finely finished and slim movement that's going to provide reliable timekeeping. 

Wrist Impressions

This watch has such a simple and elegant look and feel. It's truly a dress watch par excellence. What I love most about this dial besides the enamel is it's legibility. There's no subdials (other than the offset seconds) to block your view of the hour and minute hands. Also, the wood on the box is really outstanding, and was a nice suprise.

THE LITTLE DETAILS

Watch was purchased from an Breguet AD in 2018 and was worn sparingly. Case and bracelet are around 90%, with very minor wear throughout. Watch is running strong. Comes with all you see in the pictures, including beautiful elm wood box, outer cardboard box, manuals and warranty paperwork. 

Available for Pickup in our Showroom in Mclean, Virginia 

Want to see this watch in person? We are located in Mclean Virginia off of Chain Bridge Road. We are by appointment only (no walk ins), so please shoot us an email to schedule a time and get the address. 

WHY THIS WATCH

A Masterclass in Subtlety and Old-School Watchmaking 

Breguet is a brand that you really have to look at in a closer and deeper way to appreciate. This watch is a perfect example. At first glance this is a simple, time-only dress watch with a plain dial. What's so remarkable about this watch to justify the $21,000 retail price?  

It's All about the Dial 

The dial here is a perfect example of Breguet's approach to watchmaking. This dial is a Grand Feu "Great Fire" Enamel. The way this dial is made is an extremely time-consuming process in which layers of enamel are added to the dial, which then gets heated in a fire to cast the layers in the place. The base layer alone can contain up to 8 layers. If one mistake is made, the enamel can crack and the entire dial must be thrown out. Are the results worth it? Yes, they are, and you gotta see an enamel dial in person to appreciate it. The dial on this watch is can be described as "Whiter than White" or "Pure White". It's just something special that you can't get any other way. Also, enamel never loses it's luster. Just take a look at the catalogs of vintage watches with enamel dials to see how well this type of dial ages. 

Take a look at the subdial on this watch, and notice how it sinks effortlessly, with no transition edge. I have no idea how this was done. The aforementioned dial is the perfect backdrop for those gorgeous blued hands and hand painted black Breguet numerals. 

Slim Case

The first thing you notice when strapping this on, besides the standout dial, is how slim this watch is. At only 6.5mm thick, this watch is very thin and comfortable despite being 40mm. You also have a cool fluted middle section that adds some contrast to the case.

Calibre 502.35D

Breguet certainly isn't a slouch when it comes to movements. This watch is powered by the Calibre 502.35D, which is an ultra slim automatic movement with a 45 Hour Power Reserve. Flipping the watch over you'll notice the movement is beautifully decorated with beveled bridges, Guilloche, Cotes de Geneve, and polished wheels/screws. While this movement is not going to win any awards for innovation, it's a very finely finished and slim movement that's going to provide reliable timekeeping. 

Wrist Impressions

This watch has such a simple and elegant look and feel. It's truly a dress watch par excellence. What I love most about this dial besides the enamel is it's legibility. There's no subdials (other than the offset seconds) to block your view of the hour and minute hands. Also, the wood on the box is really outstanding, and was a nice suprise.

THE LITTLE DETAILS

Watch was purchased from an Breguet AD in 2018 and was worn sparingly. Case and bracelet are around 90%, with very minor wear throughout. Watch is running strong. Comes with all you see in the pictures, including beautiful elm wood box, outer cardboard box, manuals and warranty paperwork. 

Available for Pickup in our Showroom in Mclean, Virginia 

Want to see this watch in person? We are located in Mclean Virginia off of Chain Bridge Road. We are by appointment only (no walk ins), so please shoot us an email to schedule a time and get the address. 

WHY THIS WATCH

Zenith celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the El Primero, one of the greatest chronograph movements ever made, with this special 18k Gold Revival of the original Gold El Primero Chronograph, the G381 released in the sixties. This watch has been released exclusively through horological media platform, HODINKEE. Only 50 examples were made and sold. 

With this watch, Zenith attempted to make the revival as close to the original G381 as possible. Clocking in 38mm, it's true to the original diameter and gives the perfect fit for a revival. This watch has a Panda White Dial, and unlike it's steel counterpart, this watch has Non-Overlapping sub-registers, which was characteristics of the original gold chronograph. Also noteworthy is the acrylic crystal, which we always like on a vintage revival. This watch is powered by the legendary El Primero chronograph movement. On the backside the case is numbered xx/50, and engraved *1969-2019*.

On the wrist, this watch is effortless. Zenith hit this one right on the head, with a perfect diameter, and great vintage vibes. This watch takes well to a variety of different straps, but is partial to dark brown. 

One last thing I'll mention is the Warranty. This watch comes with a staggering 50 year complimentary warranty from Zenith! Yes you read that right. The warranty will cover any manufacturing defects, as well normal wear and tear of components, and covers the cost of all servicing during this period. 

THE LITTLE DETAILS Watch was purchased from in 2021 and with the full set of Box and Papers, including warranty card from Hodinkee. Watch was registered and comes with the FULL 50 YEAR WARRANTY from Zenith. Watch is Like New, and was only tried on a few times and left in the box. Watch is around 95-98% with only the most minor of wear from handling. 

Available for Pickup in our Showroom in Mclean, Virginia 

Want to see this watch in person? We are located in Mclean Virginia off of Chain Bridge Road. We are by appointment only (no walk ins), so please shoot us an email to schedule a time and get the address. 

WHY THIS WATCH

Zenith was born 150 years ago, in Le Locle, a small town tucked away between the Neuchâtel mountains in Switzerland. Over the century and a half since it's founding, Zenith has produced countless innovations in watchmaking. It's most famous innovation was the El Primero movement, which was one of the first automatic chronograph movements. The El Primero is still considered one of the finest chronograph movements made. 

This watch is loosely based on the Captain model, a top of the line dress watch first released in 1957. Early Pie-Pan Zenith Captains are truly beautiful pieces that are very sought after by vintage collectors. 

This watch is powered by the aforementioned El Primero movement, a top of a line chronograph movement that is still my favorite automatic movement. My favorite thing about the El Primero is the feedback you get when engaging the pushers. It's this crisp feeling, which somehow evokes the feeling you get peeling the sticker off on an Apple product for the first time (Weird, I know!). For this particular model, the date wheel was moved to the 6 position, which I think feels way more in place than the traditional position at 4:30. 

Honestly though, there are a ton of El Primeros out there, so I'll get into what makes this one stand out from the pack. In the flesh, the dial on this watch looks completely different than in the photographs. In the photos, the watch dial looks pretty flat and lifeless, but in real life, this dial feels warm and alive due to the Rose Gold indices and hands. The color on these indices is really something special and what makes this watch stand out, along with the fit which I'll get into in a minute. The sapphire crystal is slightly curved, accentuating the softness of the dial. 

This watch is 42mm in diameter. I never considered this watch an option for me as I have smaller wrists, but it really does fit perfectly on my wrist, and thats due to a few things. First at 12.3mm, the watch is thin for a chronograph. Second, the case architecture, including the downward sloping lugs, and flat pushers was designed for a more comfortable, dressy fit. Finally, I think it was a smart decision to make this a 22mm lug width case, as I feel a beefier strap gives you more support, and somehow makes the watch feel smaller than it is. This is a chronograph devoid of any clunkiness whatsoever.

Value is something that is a consistent theme for Zenith watches. At $8,300 USD retail, you're getting a thin, elegantly shaped and balanced chronograph, with stunning dial and a top of the line in house chronograph that can easily be dressed up or down with the change of a strap. Speaking of straps, I'll also mention the strap on this watch is phenomenal. It's a gator strap with a rubber lining on the inside, so you don't have to worry about sweat stains ruining your gator.  

THE LITTLE DETAILS

Watch is Like New - was purchased New in 2021 and was only tried on, but never worn. It comes with the Outer Box, Inner Box and Manuals. No warranty card. Comes on the original OEM Zenith Gator strap lined with Rubber on the inside, alongside a tang OEM zenith buckle. 

Available for Pickup in our Showroom in Mclean, Virginia 

Want to see this watch in person? We are located in Mclean Virginia off of Chain Bridge Road. We are by appointment only (no walk ins), so please shoot us an email to schedule a time and get the address.