What's the El Primero gateway drug?

[ConElPueblo]

Seeing a reasonably cheap (gold plated) Zenith with a variant of the El Primero movement made me wonder what could be a good entry-level EP choice? I know that there are lesser-bejewelled (and often rather exoticly cased) Movados, there are a dizzying variety of Ebels and then there are less-than-extremely-attractive Zeniths models - such as the gold plated version I found on the Bay for sale at roughly £1K.

So, if you cannot cash up for one of the divine vintage versions, where should you look?

 

[Spacefruit]

I don't want to read this ......

But I do t think I can stop myself.....

 

[cicindela]

Spacefruit

I don't want to read this ......

But I do t think I can stop myself.....

Well I suppose if your jonesing on Speedmasters

 

[bill5959]

Where do you fit on the quality spectrum? You can maybe get an ElP for less if you compromise on that. European Watch has a decent one (it was mine).

 

[styggpyggeno1]

These still show up at resonable prices from time to time:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/the-subtle-el-primero.20564/

 

[ConElPueblo]

styggpyggeno1

These still show up at resonable prices from time to time:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/the-subtle-el-primero.20564/

These ARE extremely nice.

They have the benefit over the Ebel of not having a somewhat dated design in both bracelet and case.

 

[styggpyggeno1]

...It actually has a very dated design... It is just a much nicer date(d).

Edited: Feb 16, 2016

 

[MMMD]

I started by snorting a Movado here and there.

Before I knew it, I was mainlining the hard stuff.

 

[Paedipod]

Spacefruit

I don't want to read this ......

But I do t think I can stop myself.....

Happy to take a speedy or two off your hands to help make room.....

 

[styggpyggeno1]

MMMD

I started by snorting a Movado here and there.

Before I knew it, I was mainlining the hard stuff.

In some cases sharp cases can cause...

 

[ConElPueblo]

MMMD

Before I knew it, I was mainlining the hard stuff.

While I do appreciate the odd derailing of a thread, when it's done so beautifully ( ), I'd still be happy to learn more about the cheaper options out there. Did a bit of research on the version Stygg proposes and must admit that I'm surprised that they aren't dearer! There's a gorgeous one on chrono24 at the moment...

 

[MMMD]

ConElPueblo

While I do appreciate the odd derailing of a thread, when it's done so beautifully ( ), I'd still be happy to learn more about the cheaper options out there. Did a bit of research on the version Stygg proposes and must admit that I'm surprised that they aren't dearer! There's a gorgeous one on chrono24 at the moment...

Only the second half of my post was derailment. The first half was the entry-level stuff:

MMMD

I started by snorting a Movado here and there.

And here is some even lower entry-level stuff. This is like the doggy-door EP... the gold-plated C-case Datron:

 

[MMMD]

But seriously, those Movado Chronodiver Datrons with the black-and-white Bakelite bezels and the date at 12 are among the coolest and most attainable of the early EPs, still available in the vicinity of $2k.

 

[ConElPueblo]

I know, I know!

Sheesh, I'm only kidding - I even gave your post a like

The Movados, I think, are a bit challenging as they seem to be all over the place price-wise and I am unsure of how, eh, desirable they really are. I don\t know how to properly put it, but I perceive them to lack some of the finesse I associate with the EP movement. Perhaps a bit too stuck in the seventies?

EDIT Perhaps what I mean is that they are too much of an aquired taste. Amazed that they can be found at so low prices, though.

 

[MMMD]

Here's another thought... the more modern classic all-black Rainbow Flyback sometimes dips close to $2k (not this particular one, but sometimes).



http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/161679804944

 

[Northernman]

MMMD

But seriously, those Movado Chronodiver Datrons with the black-and-white Bakelite bezels and the date at 12 are among the coolest and most attainable of the early EPs, still available in the vicinity of $2k.

Confirmed and agreed!

 

[Stewart H]

There are always a few gold plated examples floating around but sometimes you can find a Class 4 or a Chronomaster for under $2,000.

 

[gwzymytk]

Well, I started with a Chronomaster
The case, the lugs, the dial... Just... Marvelous... A good friend made me an offer I couldn't refuse, so I quickly pulled the trigger.



But a good place to start with El Primero's would be the gold plated versions.
After some initial mixed feelings, under the right circumstances, they might prove solid choices (99% convinced at the moment to pull mine off the market - changed the strap and started wearing it again with great joy).

 

[watchknut]

You can find the EP hand winds for sub $2k, but it is a HW. I second that Movado route, and you don't have to settle for a gold plated case one either. The more modern rainbows are sweet, and they occasionally dip in the low $2k range, but most are $2.5k+.

Some of Movado Sub Sea Pilots had El Primero on the dial, and didn't lack any of the refinement.

 

[LouS]

ConElPueblo

The Movados, I think, are a bit challenging as they seem to be all over the place price-wise and I am unsure of how, eh, desirable they really are.

You open a thread to ask for cheap, but balk because it's not as desirable as the more expensive ones?


Correct price for the Datrons is around $2K (for the moment).

ConElPueblo

I don\t know how to properly put it, but I perceive them to lack some of the finesse I associate with the EP movement.

It's exactly the same movement. Same level of finish, same features, same performance. The Datrons happen to have the 17 jewel version more frequently than the El Primeros because they were more often for the US market, but that's the only (potential) difference. The watch itself is of equivalent build quality IMO. Design, of course, is a matter of opinion.

Edited: Feb 16, 2016