Basically the title. Zenith makes some pretty stellar and innovative watches imo. I also love their history and style. However, the brand recognition outside of watch lovers is pretty dismal. And while I generally buy watches for me, I do want the watches I buy (particularly those I’m paying $5k-10k for) to have some brand recognition among the public. What happened with Zenith in this respect? Or am I giving the public too little credit?
Perhaps only me, but I appreciate the under-the-radar positioning of certain upscale brands such as Zenith. People who know, know. And as those folks are more likely to be real watch enthusiasts, it’s almost like a secret handshake or password or something. Just more fun.
Not that I don’t appreciate the under the radar, but I’d like the good brands to get the recognition they deserve.
Exactly this. It’s fun to see another watch person get excited. Secret handshake is a good way to put it. Flaunt only to yet unknown friends as mutual appreciation, without bluntly flaunting to just everyone which always looks desperate for approval.
Maybe it’s bc they named their brand after a TV from back in the day?
I’m more inclined to buy more under the radar luxury things that I personally love. I’m this way with clothes as well. Plus because you’re not paying for the brand name in a lot of cases you get more craftsmanship for your money. Wearing Gucci and a Rolex downtown is a good way to get robbed lol
Yes. I am actually more drawn towards brands that only watch enthusiasts know. Which why I am not really targetting Rolex and Omega. If someone notices my Zenith, we both know we like watches.
I agree 100%. I buy watches for me, not to show off to anyone else that I (am dumb enough to) dropped 10k on a watch. I grew up working class and while I can afford these things now I can’t imagine showing my dad or my relatives that I spend this kind of money on such a frivolous item lol.
I totally identify with this. My father would freak about my speedmaster even with being able to afford it. It’s just against our midwestern budget DNA.
If you want under the radar then don’t get a luxury watch to begin with. This sub always has this mentality of “stealth” but there’s no stealth in luxury watches. It’s so delusional to say that “oh I spend that 10k on a piece of stainless steel to impress myself, not anyone else!”
Of course you are trying to impress someone and hoping that someone would recognize it. That’s why there’s always wrist shots on this sub asking “how did I do?” “Does it fit?”. Some of the guys here are just so delusional and cringe. Once they bought the GS then they start complaining about how “why won’t anyone recognize the greatness of my watch! 😡”. Turns out all they wanted the whole time is a piece of jewelry to flex. When they accept that their brand is not as mainstream and likely never will be, they turn to this sub to starts bashing the big 5 brands. It’s just pathetic. There’s no true “enthusiast” watch brands, it’s a luxury product market targets mostly men. You either get it or you don’t.
The problem with Zenith is the same problem as any other brands. The quartz crisis hit them like a truck and they lost all relevance they had once an American management took over and demand they start making quartz. If you know what actually happened to the company you understand it’s actually Rolex that saved the el primero. Ppl here don’t know jack shit and doesn’t understand why certain brands are popular for a legitimate reason.