Not A Vintage Zenith

[LouS]

If it's not "vintage" it must be "used."It's my first Elite-powered watch - Elite is the movement that Zenith made in 1994 for three handed watches to accompany El Primero. The watch is a Rainbow Diver, coveted by me since I first saw it in a pic on Todd's wrist (who I haven't seen around here in ages). It's a diver in the Submarine style, but with a much more refined appearance at 9mm thick, smaller applied indices and slender hands.

Adding to the elegance is a flat sapphire that at certain angles seems to simply disappear

The appearance on the wrist is sport-elegant, stopping just short of delicate

Besides the fact that I peg this one as a future classic among "used" Zeniths, to join the Rainbow flyback, I think this stands a good chance of developing into an all-purpose workhorse for me. Hope you like the change of pace from hardcore vintage.

 

[MMMD]

Very nice indeed. I've never noticed this model before, but I get what you're saying about future classic. You should have it pressure tested... this watch might fill that beach-and-swimming-pool-timepiece gap that has seemed to exist in your collection.

 

[danomar]

Nice! That is IMO the best version, black dial, raised angled hour indices, and those fantastic hands!

My own not-exactly-vintage Zenith diver is really growing on me.

Its dimensions are very similar to the Rainbow, so I think I understand what you mean. They are both watches that upon first look seem unimpressive. The more they are worn, the more one appreciates all of the nicely tasteful Zenith touches.

Enjoy!

 

[Veritas99]

danomar

They are both watches that upon first look seem unimpressive. The more they are worn, the more one appreciates all of the nicely tasteful Zenith touches.

Nice watches to you both, the Elite is certainly an under-appreciated movement.

One my of my favorite touches from this line was the color matched date wheel - even for the more audacious dial colors:

 

[danomar]

Veritas99

One my of my favorite touches from this line was the color matched date wheel - even for the more audacious dial colors:

Indeed. Another neat touch that I always liked about Zenith is how the outer minutes marker ring is included on the inside edge of the date window. For the longest time, I could not figure out what that line with three marks was. Then one day it all made sense.

Zenith = Thoughtful design.

 

[Veritas99]

Since I technically posted an EP...here's the the Elite version in the same color that someone just posted on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZENITH-ELITE-RAINBOW-/181139302662

 

[LouS]

MMMD

You should have it pressure tested... this watch might fill that beach-and-swimming-pool-timepiece gap that has seemed to exist in your collection.

Got a Seiko that does beach/hurricane duty - it's hard to justify anything else

danomar

Nice! That is IMO the best version, black dial, raised angled hour indices, and those fantastic hands!

My own not-exactly-vintage Zenith diver is really growing on me.

Its dimensions are very similar to the Rainbow, so I think I understand what you mean. They are both watches that upon first look seem unimpressive. The more they are worn, the more one appreciates all of the nicely tasteful Zenith touches.

Enjoy!

Yes, fully agree - no matter what Zenith made, even the Nataf monstrosities, was well and carefully finished.

Veritas99

Nice watches to you both, the Elite is certainly an under-appreciated movement.

One my of my favorite touches from this line was the color matched date wheel - even for the more audacious dial colors:

Veritas99

Since I technically posted an EP...here's the the Elite version in the same color that someone just posted on eBay:

I think we decided these were the Mango Rainbows. I'll peg at least the Mango Primero as another future classic.