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RLROCK · 19 November 2021, 11:14 PM

I am looking to add a chronograph to my collections and my decision has come down to either the Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42 or the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Open. Both are 42mm, have in-house movements, and are competitively priced against each other.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and see what the poll says. Thanks.

PekWatchGuy · 20 November 2021, 12:29 AM

Both are good looking watches. Zenith has more high tech caliber with silicon parts. I would choose breitling because of its classic looks and proven B01 caliber.

GoingPlaces · 20 November 2021, 12:41 AM

Zenith, legacy and next level IMO.

alllexandru · 20 November 2021, 02:34 AM

Zenith, not even close for me :)

RW16610 · 20 November 2021, 08:30 AM

I really like Breitling (and own two), but in your shoes given that same choice it would be for the Zenith, no doubt.

Justindo · 21 November 2021, 01:18 PM

The Zenith is a great watch an the El Primero is a legendary movement for a good reason. That written, I just think the Premier B01 is a much better looking watch. If Zenith made a three register chronograph version that looked like the Breitling, my choice might be different.

watchbobby · 21 November 2021, 02:48 PM

I'm a fan of Breitling, and that particular chronograph with the pistachio dial is absolutely stunning. Add the fact that almost all Zenith's fail to do anything for me, and I say Breitling all the way.

arcadelt · 22 November 2021, 03:34 PM

If it would have been a "normal" Chronomaster, I would have said Zenith; however, as I am not a fan of the "Open Heart" models, in this case I vote for the Premier.

JayHantz · 22 November 2021, 10:25 PM

I am going to have to pick the Breitling on this one. Although the Premiers are a little more chunky in the case height - I am not a fan of the dial layout on the Zenith. I much prefer a classic dial and register layout like the Breitling.

brandrea · 22 November 2021, 11:01 PM

I can’t read the time on the Zenith, YMMV

airchitect · 22 November 2021, 11:21 PM

I kind of feel like they aren’t in the same league so Zenith for me…

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HHIslander · 23 November 2021, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandrea

I can’t read the time on the Zenith, YMMV

Completely agree. Way too much going on there.

DCheeta · 23 November 2021, 01:11 PM

Put that Breitling up against a regular 38mm Chronomaster and I’d have a hard time deciding. But such as it is, Breitling all the way on this comparison. I really really don’t like those open dials and the Premier B01 is one of my favorite chronographs.

TimeAZ · 23 November 2021, 05:24 PM

That open-heart dial on the zenith is simply not for me.

Have you considered the Zenith Chronomaster Sport?? 42mm white dial. That model is very tempting.

1William · 23 November 2021, 10:32 PM

I prefer the Breitling.

Shadow Play · 24 November 2021, 03:57 AM

Definitely the Breitling for me.

shalako · 24 November 2021, 05:43 PM

I really like Zenith, especially the el primero movement but their watches are not durable in my experience, they get easily magnetised and I wouldn’t recommend them for ‘adventurous activities’, the Breitling may not be a match on a technical level even though the B01 movement is excellent but it will be much more durable hence why I would pick Breitling.
If you do get the Zenith make sure you register for the 3 year warranty, I’ve owned several and have yet to own one that didn’t need to go back for repair.

train-time · 25 November 2021, 12:53 AM

The Premier model is a very nice watch. The Zenith Chrono Open is a bit of a niche watch. I have been tempted to buy this Zenith in the past but couldn't pull the trigger. I guess I didn't want it enough to fork out the bucks for it.

As far as the Breitling is concerned, I was a big time Breitling enthusiast and collector in the past, but no more! IMO they are way over priced and loose at least 50% (often more) as soon as you walk out of the dealer with it.

Overall, it's a tough choice but I would lean towards the Zenith.

RLROCK · 25 November 2021, 03:08 AM

Wow! Over 2-to-1 in favor of the Breitling.

I am off to my AD to look at the Breitling. Wish me luck!

Fort Rolex · 26 November 2021, 05:01 AM

I’ve been debating between that Breitling and the Zenith Chronomaster Original. So tough!

Think if you made me pick today I’d go Zenith

ktmpt · 27 November 2021, 08:06 AM

I like zenith better

lowmandfl · 28 November 2021, 12:30 AM

I prefer the Breitling between the two. On a technical level I think the Breitling has a better movement, the vertical clutch of the B-01 is superior to the lateral clutch of the El Primero for long term wear.

juve · 30 November 2021, 12:10 PM

Breitling

DJ2020 · 30 November 2021, 09:42 PM

It would be Breitling for me. No hesitation what so ever.

jatco · 1 December 2021, 05:12 AM

Of those 2, the Breitling for me

RLROCK · 6 December 2021, 04:42 AM

And here it is! It’s so much more beautiful in person.

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jatco · 6 December 2021, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLROCK

And here it is! It’s so much more beautiful in person.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I concur

Krash · 6 December 2021, 02:14 PM

I like the simplicity of the Breitling better.

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Shadow Play · 7 December 2021, 05:28 AM

Great choice.

TK-710 · 8 December 2021, 09:47 PM

Great choice. For me Breitling would not win over Zenith in every head to head but in that one it wins every time.

View Poll Results: Which Chronograph?
Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42	59	64.84%
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Open 42	32	35.16%
Voters: 91. You may not vote on this poll

23 November 2021, 05:24 PM	#14
TimeAZ "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: USA Watch: Rolex & Tudor Posts: 2,237	That open-heart dial on the zenith is simply not for me. Have you considered the Zenith Chronomaster Sport?? 42mm white dial. That model is very tempting. __________________ The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.

25 November 2021, 03:08 AM	#19
RLROCK "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Real Name: Richard Location: New Jersey Watch: Depends on my mood Posts: 515	Wow! Over 2-to-1 in favor of the Breitling. I am off to my AD to look at the Breitling. Wish me luck! __________________ 116333, 116610LV, 116710LN, 126300, 126710BLNR, Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-axial, Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph, Breitling Superocean 42, PAM 392, PAM 973 Submersible

30 November 2021, 09:42 PM	#24
DJ2020 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Real Name: Wayne Location: NC Watch: 226570 Posts: 3,484	It would be Breitling for me. No hesitation what so ever. __________________ In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln __________________________________________________ Rolex 226570, Explorer II Club

1 December 2021, 05:12 AM	#25
jatco 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Thomas Location: YVR Watch: 116233/79190 Posts: 50,410	Of those 2, the Breitling for me __________________ . ..- ' A Crown for every achievement '

20 November 2021, 12:29 AM	#2
PekWatchGuy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Finland Posts: 241	Both are good looking watches. Zenith has more high tech caliber with silicon parts. I would choose breitling because of its classic looks and proven B01 caliber.

20 November 2021, 12:41 AM	#3
GoingPlaces "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 5,356	Zenith, legacy and next level IMO.

20 November 2021, 02:34 AM	#4
alllexandru 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Real Name: Alex Location: Old continent Posts: 2,446	Zenith, not even close for me :)

20 November 2021, 08:30 AM	#5
RW16610 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Rommel Location: Toronto Canada Watch: 116710LN Posts: 9,194	I really like Breitling (and own two), but in your shoes given that same choice it would be for the Zenith, no doubt.

21 November 2021, 01:18 PM	#6
Justindo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: California Posts: 2,176	The Zenith is a great watch an the El Primero is a legendary movement for a good reason. That written, I just think the Premier B01 is a much better looking watch. If Zenith made a three register chronograph version that looked like the Breitling, my choice might be different.

21 November 2021, 02:48 PM	#7
watchbobby "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Real Name: Bob Location: Missouri Watch: All of them Posts: 105	I'm a fan of Breitling, and that particular chronograph with the pistachio dial is absolutely stunning. Add the fact that almost all Zenith's fail to do anything for me, and I say Breitling all the way.

22 November 2021, 03:34 PM	#8
arcadelt "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Monaro, NSW Posts: 846	If it would have been a "normal" Chronomaster, I would have said Zenith; however, as I am not a fan of the "Open Heart" models, in this case I vote for the Premier.

22 November 2021, 10:25 PM	#9
JayHantz 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Real Name: Jonathan Location: Texas Watch: @Escapementt Posts: 9,844	I am going to have to pick the Breitling on this one. Although the Premiers are a little more chunky in the case height - I am not a fan of the dial layout on the Zenith. I much prefer a classic dial and register layout like the Breitling.

22 November 2021, 11:01 PM	#10
brandrea 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Brian (TBone) Location: canada Watch: es make me smile Posts: 77,926	I can’t read the time on the Zenith, YMMV

22 November 2021, 11:21 PM	#11
airchitect "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: KY Watch: A few..... Posts: 3,796	I kind of feel like they aren’t in the same league so Zenith for me… Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

23 November 2021, 01:11 PM	#13
DCheeta "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Real Name: Dave Location: NYC Posts: 7,181	Put that Breitling up against a regular 38mm Chronomaster and I’d have a hard time deciding. But such as it is, Breitling all the way on this comparison. I really really don’t like those open dials and the Premier B01 is one of my favorite chronographs.

23 November 2021, 10:32 PM	#15
1William 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: North Carolina Watch: Rolex/Others Posts: 47,671	I prefer the Breitling.

24 November 2021, 03:57 AM	#16
Shadow Play "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: UK Posts: 676	Definitely the Breitling for me.

24 November 2021, 05:43 PM	#17
shalako "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: UK Posts: 623	I really like Zenith, especially the el primero movement but their watches are not durable in my experience, they get easily magnetised and I wouldn’t recommend them for ‘adventurous activities’, the Breitling may not be a match on a technical level even though the B01 movement is excellent but it will be much more durable hence why I would pick Breitling. If you do get the Zenith make sure you register for the 3 year warranty, I’ve owned several and have yet to own one that didn’t need to go back for repair.

25 November 2021, 12:53 AM	#18
train-time 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Plankton Location: US Watch: less Posts: 4,154	The Premier model is a very nice watch. The Zenith Chrono Open is a bit of a niche watch. I have been tempted to buy this Zenith in the past but couldn't pull the trigger. I guess I didn't want it enough to fork out the bucks for it. As far as the Breitling is concerned, I was a big time Breitling enthusiast and collector in the past, but no more! IMO they are way over priced and loose at least 50% (often more) as soon as you walk out of the dealer with it. Overall, it's a tough choice but I would lean towards the Zenith.

26 November 2021, 05:01 AM	#20
Fort Rolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 586	I’ve been debating between that Breitling and the Zenith Chronomaster Original. So tough! Think if you made me pick today I’d go Zenith

27 November 2021, 08:06 AM	#21
ktmpt "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: OC Posts: 10	I like zenith better

28 November 2021, 12:30 AM	#22
lowmandfl "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 547	I prefer the Breitling between the two. On a technical level I think the Breitling has a better movement, the vertical clutch of the B-01 is superior to the lateral clutch of the El Primero for long term wear.

30 November 2021, 12:10 PM	#23
juve "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Real Name: Boris Location: CT Posts: 893	Breitling

6 December 2021, 04:42 AM	#26
RLROCK "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Real Name: Richard Location: New Jersey Watch: Depends on my mood Posts: 515	And here it is! It’s so much more beautiful in person. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 116333, 116610LV, 116710LN, 126300, 126710BLNR, Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-axial, Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph, Breitling Superocean 42, PAM 392, PAM 973 Submersible

6 December 2021, 02:14 PM	#28
Krash 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Florida Watch: Sub, DJ41, GMT Posts: 8,212	I like the simplicity of the Breitling better. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

7 December 2021, 05:28 AM	#29
Shadow Play "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: UK Posts: 676	Great choice.

8 December 2021, 09:47 PM	#30
TK-710 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Upstate Watch: 116600 Posts: 2,156	Great choice. For me Breitling would not win over Zenith in every head to head but in that one it wins every time.

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