Zenith watches | Pre-owned & Vintage
Discover our selection of Zenith watches currently available online. Pre-owned and vintage Zenith wristwatches.
Daily updated, add this page to your favorites if you like Zenith timepieces.
Zenith watches : a brand that is worth collecting
Zenith is a very nice watch brand which is popular among collectors. Some of their models like the Zenith El Primero are very famous all around the world and very much sought-after. That's why pre-owned Zenith watches can reach a fairly high level on the market. On this page, you will find our selection of Zenith mens watches currently available on various websites online. This Swiss company based in Le Locle, near Neuchatel, has produced several beautiful timepieces. The 1970s Zenith Defy is among the best value-for-money vintage Zenith watches that you should look for, you could find some below $200. If you are looking for a rare Zenith watch, have a look to the Zenith with the famous El Primero 3019 Caliber from 1969 or the Zenith Compur 156 in rose gold.
BEST ZENITH WATCHES FOR COLLECTORS:
What is the value of a Zenith wristwatch ?
Well it all depends of the model, its condition and its metal. A Zenith Defy in very good condition with an El primero movement will be found above $1,500 on the pre-owned watch market. You want a more common watch ? A vintage ZENITH Gold Skeleton would be around $500. And of course, it will all depend about how many collectors are interested in that model. Final value of a specific watch can skyrocket if several collectors want the same Zenith pilot watch.
A fine example of Zenith Defy Quartz
How to get a watch here ?
It is very easy, just click on the Zenith watch you like and we will automatically redirect you towards the merchant site where you can find it. We select our watches from the serious Zenith watch suppliers and collectors. We daily update our selection of Zenith watches, so add this page to your favorites if you like that Swiss brand. Please contact us if you have any question
Zenith, a watch investment that maintains its value
Zenith watches show remarkable stability on the second-hand market. The value of El Primero chronographs has risen by an average of 8% a year since 2020, while Elite models have maintained their value thanks to their exceptional finish.
The current market is particularly keen on pieces from the 1960s-1970s, with prices ranging from $4,500 to $13,600, depending on condition and rarity. Limited series and models with complications can fetch up to $25,000.
Vintage timepieces are enjoying growing demand from collectors, particularly for their world-renowned El Primero caliber. This trend is due to the quality of the automatic movement and its unique frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour.
Mythical second-hand collections
El Primero: the legendary chronograph
The El Primero caliber revolutionized watchmaking in 1969 with its innovative architecture. This technical feat from the Swiss Manufacture combines bidirectional winding and a 50-hour power reserve, unique features at the time.
The fascinating history of this chronograph was also written during the quartz crisis. A passionate watchmaker, Charles Vermot, secretly saved the plans and tooling by hiding them in a factory attic. This bold move enabled Zenith to relaunch production in the 1980s.
Today's models retain the DNA of the original chronograph, with their distinctive tricolor signature on the dial. An emblematic feature that appeals to purists and new connoisseurs of fine watchmaking alike.
A nice pre-owned Zenith El Primero
Elite: pure elegance
The Elite collection captivates with its clean lines and minimalist design. Launched in 1994, it embodies the Swiss Maison's watchmaking expertise in a resolutely contemporary style.
On the second-hand market, these timepieces are priced between $2,200 and $7,200, depending on their condition and complications. Pink gold models with chronographs are the most sought-after timepieces for collectors.
Ultra Thin versions are increasingly popular with fine watchmaking enthusiasts. Their extra-flat cases and sober dials make them particularly suited to elegant outfits. Dual Time models, featuring a second time zone, sell for around $3,000 in excellent condition.
Defy: accessible technical innovation
The Defy range pushes back the boundaries of traditional watchmaking with its revolutionary innovations. Its distinctive octagonal case houses remarkable technical feats, such as the 1/100th of a second chronograph or the mechanical oscillator without a balance-spring.
Enthusiasts particularly appreciate its robust construction in avant-garde materials: titanium, carbon, ceramic. The Defy Lab, the first mechanical watch to be certified accurate to +/- 0.3 seconds per day, bears witness to this quest for technical excellence.
New models such as the Skyline and Zero-G demonstrate the Swiss Manufacture's ability to create innovative timepieces. Their futuristic design is enhanced by luminescent indexes and openworked dials for optimum legibility.
Pilot: timeless aviation spirit
The Pilot collection pays homage to the first air navigation instruments created by the Manufacture in 1904. The contrasting black dials and oversized luminescent Arabic numerals reflect the DNA of historic aviators' watches.
Recognizable by its onion-shaped crown, a characteristic that allows pilots to handle it with gloves on, each Pilot timepiece perpetuates the aeronautical adventure. The Type 20 Extra Special models feature a 45mm case in patinated bronze, a noble material that develops a patina over time.
The unique visual signature of blued “cathedral” hands and winged logo recalls the time when Louis Blériot crossed the English Channel in 1909 with his Zenith on his wrist. A heritage that today delights aviation and traditional watchmaking enthusiasts.
A complete range for every style
Men's models: between sport and refinement
The Swiss brand offers a versatile range that meets the expectations of both sporty and elegant watch enthusiasts. The Chronomaster Sport models perfectly embody this duality, with their high-tech ceramic cases and refined finishes.
Lovers of robust timepieces will appreciate the Defy Extreme and its architectural design in brushed titanium. Its water-resistant construction to 200 meters makes it ideal for both nautical activities and everyday office life.
For a more classic style, the Elite Ultra Thin line seduces with its sobriety. Its extra-flat 40 mm case goes perfectly with a suit, while its automatic movement ensures exemplary precision.
Ladies' selection: elegance and precision
The Defy Midnight collection shines with its dials in shades reminiscent of the aurora borealis. Its 36mm steel case houses a remarkably reliable automatic Elite movement.
The Elite Lady models shine in refinement with their diamond-set cases and interchangeable bracelets. A particularly sought-after watch on the pre-owned market, ranging from $3,500 to $8,000 depending on its complications.
The Chronomaster Original range offers feminine versions with controlled 38mm dimensions. These timepieces combine technical performance with aesthetic delicacy, thanks in particular to their mother-of-pearl dials and diamond hour-markers.
Captain Editions: vintage chic
Captain vintage editions embody the golden age of watchmaking from the 1950s-1960s. Their sober design harmoniously blends applied indexes with finely crafted dauphine hands.
These timepieces are distinguished by their unique aesthetic signature: a domed dial typical of the era and a crown signed with the Manufacture's star logo. On the second-hand market, models in excellent condition sell for between $1,800 and $4,500.
The automatic Captain Chronograph versions from the 1960s are the most sought-after collector's items. Their rarity and state of preservation determine their value, which can reach $12,000 for the best-preserved examples with their original case.
The Zenith pre-owned automatic movement
Swiss mechanical reliability
Zenith mechanical movements stand out for their exceptional longevity. Their robust design ensures optimal operation for decades, with regular maintenance every 5 years.
Their chronometric precision remains remarkable even after many years of use. A telling example: vintage calibres from the 1960s still display daily variations of less than 5 seconds.
The architecture of the components, designed to facilitate maintenance, guarantees easy repair by qualified watchmakers. Original spare parts remain available for the majority of historic calibers, ensuring their longevity.
Resistance to shocks and temperature variations testifies to the technical expertise developed by the Manufacture since 1865. This legendary solidity explains the growing popularity of pre-owned models among enthusiasts.
Collectors' complications
Rattrapante chronograph complications are particularly fascinating for enthusiasts, enabling two events to be timed simultaneously. This rare function can push the value of a vintage timepiece beyond $15,000.
The triple calendar with moon phase represents another major complication in the history of the Manufacture. These models displaying date, day, month and lunar cycles sell for between $8,000 and $$12,000, depending on their condition.
The “ foudroyante” function, a unique technical signature of the company, captivates with its ability to measure 1/10th of a second, thanks to a hand that makes a complete turn in one second. These exceptional timepieces regularly fetch $20,000 at specialist auctions.
Used market price guide
The second-hand market offers Zenith watches at very different prices, depending on the model. Classic versions of the Elite range start at around $2,500 for a well-maintained model from the 2000s.
Recent El Primero chronographs sell for between $4,500 and $13,600, depending on their condition and complications. A vintage example from the 1970s in perfect condition can fetch up to $25,000.
The Defy collection offers excellent value for money, with models available from $3,800 for standard versions. Limited editions and special series quickly climb above $15,000.
Pilot Type 20 models are available from $3,200 to $7,500, depending on size and materials. Bronze versions are highly sought-after, often exceeding $10,000 on the collectors' market.
Celebrities who put their trust in Zenith
Mahatma Gandhi marked the brand's history by wearing a Zenith pocket watch, a gift from his friend Jawaharlal Nehru. This symbolic timepiece testifies to the confidence of great historical figures in the Swiss manufacture.
Stars of the silver screen are particularly fond of the Defy collection, as Felix Baumgartner chose it for his record-breaking stratospheric leap. Pilot Louis Blériot had already placed his trust in Zenith for his historic crossing of the English Channel in 1909.
The new generation of celebrities is also embracing the brand: DJ Carl Cox proudly sports a carbon-fiber Defy 21, while tennis champion Felix Auger-Aliassime prefers a Chronomaster Sport for his on-court performances.
Authentication and warranty for vintage timepieces
Buying a pre-owned Zenith watch requires a high level of expertise. A network of specialized watchmakers meticulously examine each piece from every angle: case, movement, dial and original components.
The certification of authenticity attests to the conformity of the serial numbers engraved on the case and movement with the Manufacture's archives. Authorized Zenith centers provide a minimum 12-month warranty for vintage watches, extended to 24 months for more recent models.
A detailed document accompanies each authenticated timepiece, tracing its history and confirming its originality. Qualified workshops systematically carry out a complete overhaul before releasing the watch for sale, ensuring optimum reliability of the mechanism.
.
Top 100 Watches :
Top 100 Vintage Watches
Top Watch 24h
Top Watch under $1000
Other watches :