captain

Zenith Captain Dual Time Watch

There seems to be a strange nomenclature shift in 2011 to brands preferring to call GMT watches "Dual Time" watches. Why? Really not sure, they are functionally the same. New this year will be a new Zenith Captain collection watch called the Dual Time. It has a new in-house made "Elite" collection calibre movement called the 682, and it is an automatic. The movement is under 4mm thick and has the time (with subsidiary seconds dial), date, and GMT hand. The GMT hand is given a quick adjust pusher at 10 o'clock.

Of course the watch has a retro look to it. The case is in steel and 40mm wide with either a black or silvered dial with machine guilloche engraved decor on them, along with applied hour markers to match the properly sized dauphine hands. The Captain Dual Time is a very functional watch that is also handsome. It is however oddly positioned as it is not quite sexy enough to be a formal watch, but not aggressive looking enough to be a sport watch - nevertheless, I am sure enough people will like it.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: Captain, dual-time, Elite, gmt, watch, Zenith

Mido Ocean Star Captain IV Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Here is another good sub $1000 watch from a reputable Swiss brand. This is the newest Mido Ocean Star, the Ocean Star Captain IV watch. In a 42.5mm wide steel case, it makes for a solid diver style timepiece for those who love blue. The dial is textured a bit like water, and the hands and hour indicators are easy to read. Blue is used further in the bezel, and a dash of red is used for the seconds hand. The case is water resistant to 200 meters, and has a sapphire crystal - which makes it a solid sports watch.

Inside the case is a Swiss ETA 2836-2 automatic movement with a day/date complication. The watch is available on a metal bracelet or rubber strap. Prices start at $880, which is actually surprisingly good. Brands are pushing prices down a bit trying to enhance the desirability of entry level luxury brands. Several years ago all brands wanted to increase their level of luxury and prices, but that just didn't work. Mido, and other Swatch Group brands thankfully have more watches like this that are handsome without too handsome prices. Look for the new Ocean Star Captain IV soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: captain, IV, mido, ocean star, watch

Zenith Elite Captain Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Ahoy captain! Why I needed to begin with that cheesy, cliche phrase I do not know.. but Zenith calls the watch the "Elite Captain," which sounds just as cheesy. The "Elite" part of the name comes from the collection - which is a mid range of models from the 'reinvented' luxury brand. I believe that most Elite watches have in-house made Zenith movements. At least the Elite Captain does. Zenith has been offering watches with in-house made calibers at prices that are comparatively very reasonable - starting in the $5k - $6k range I believe. Not sure about the price of the Elite Captain, but with its relatively simple three-hand date automatic Caliber Elite 670 movement, it shouldn't be too much.

In steel or gold, the Elite captain comes in a few versions. Each in a 40mm wide case with various dial colors. The model here with its swanky looking metal bracelet and sharp dial is my favorite. It is a very handsome watch in a classic sense, quite the direction that Zenith is trying to take. Enough watches like this and they just may succeed. Looking at it again, it is starting to feel like a solid alternative to a basic Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch. What do you think? Look for the new Elite Captain watch soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: Captain, Elite, watch, Zenith