Zenith Captain Grande Date Moonphase Review

Zenith Watch Reviews: El Primer Stratos Flyback Chronograph, Captain Moonphase

Case: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 40mm

Crystal: Sapphire

Dial: Silver

Bezel: Fixed

Strap: Brown Alligator

Movement: Elite 691

Power Reserve: 50 hours

Water Resistant: 30M

Lug Width: 18mm

  The Zenith Captain Grande Date Moonphase (ref. 03.2140.691/02.C498), what’s a moonphase real intended purpose besides looking great? Sailers used the stars to navigate, hence “Captain”. The Captain Grande Date Moonphase reflects stages of the moon. These stages are the new moon, full moon, first quarter, and last quarter. Today’s real world use, not so much, still a very cool factor complication. The watch itself is obviously classic in design, though, a bit modern without the use of gold or yellow for the moon or stars.

  The dial is very well done with multiple guilloche patterns, from the center of the dial, to the ray pattern in the two subdials. The moonphase subdial is located at 6 o’clock, with the small seconds located at 9 o’clock. A grand date display is located in a non-traditional location at 1:30 position. Great choice on this location, the dial would have looked awkward if the grand date was located at 3 o’clock or 12 o’clock. The hands and applied indices compliment each other harmoniously. Zenith’s gorgeous automatic Elite 691 is visible through the sapphire case back, fitted with 27 jewels, and a 50 hour power reserve. A brown alligator strap lined with rubber protection rounds out this 11mm thick watch. The fit/finish is impeccable, with gleaming high polish throughout the watch case.

  The Zenith Captain Grande Date Moonphase is very reasonably priced for a luxury watch considering the complications and movement. Current retail for the Captain Grande Date Moonphase is $5,800 USD at the time of this review.

Pros - Moonphase, classic, fit/finish

Consideration - Traditionalist might miss the gold/yellow moon or stars

Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Review

  Zenith finally gets more “toolish” in the El Primero line up, with the new Stratos Flyback Chronograph. Simply put, this watch is a knock out. Drawing much of the Stratos design details from Zenith’s historical “Rainbow” series and it is the closest version to date.

  What is a Flyback? A flyback function is very cool if you have not had the opportunity to play with one. Unlike a conventional chronograph, the flyback function allows you to start with a single button push, then stop, reset, and start immediately with another single push. Conversely, with a standard chronograph you typically start with a button push, stop with a button push, reset with a button push, and finally start again with another single button push. With a flyback it is 2 button pushes vs 4 button pushes on a standard chronograph to start, stop, reset, and start again.

  The El Primero Stratos has a black dial, with three black overlapping chronograph subdials. The date window is done in black font, with a white wheel, located at the 6 o’clock position. The white date wheel compliments the dial by blending nicely as a hour marker. Giving the Stratos it’s masculine appearance is the ceramic dive bezel. The bezel has a slight slope inward, drawing your eyes into the dial. Most bezels (unless internal) either slope outward towards the case or are flat. Though, this watch does have a dive bezel, the watch is still only water resistant to 100m. Remember, there are lots of other variables (example: impact) that factor into water resistance besides actual water depth.

  The movement is the very well respected El Primero, specifically 405B. It beats at an impressive 36,000 beats per hour, with an estimated 50 hour power reserve. This automatic movement goes further using 31 jewels, decorated rotor done in a “Cotes de Geneve” pattern, and is enjoyed through the see through sapphire case back. The beefier size, movement, and the history combined, makes the Stratos a hard watch not to like.

Pros - El Primero 405 B, history, flyback chronograph, timeless

Consideration - Be cautious in water at only 100m WR, even though it has a dive bezel

Case: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 45.5mm

Crystal: Sapphire

Dial: Black

Bezel: Black Ceramic

Strap: Black Alligator

Movement: El Primero 405B

Power Reserve: 50 hours

Water Resistant: 100M

Lug Width: 22mm???