Zenith Price Guide 2026

About Zenith

Zenith, founded in Le Locle in 1865, is best known for creating the El Primero in 1969 — the world's first integrated automatic chronograph movement. The El Primero operates at 36,000 vibrations per hour, enabling 1/10th of a second precision, and has been used by Rolex in the Daytona from 1988-2000. When Zenith management ordered the El Primero tooling destroyed during the quartz crisis, watchmaker Charles Vermot secretly preserved it — saving one of horology's great calibres.

Movement & Quality

The El Primero remains Zenith's signature movement after 55+ years of continuous production. Modern iterations include the El Primero 3600 with 1/10th second display and the Defy 21 with 1/100th second chronograph. All Zenith movements are manufactured in-house with a focus on high-frequency precision.

Buying Zenith

Zenith watches offer outstanding mechanical substance at competitive prices. Availability is good through authorized dealers, and discounts of 15-25% are achievable. The Chronomaster Sport (Rolex Daytona's spiritual sibling) and Defy Skyline represent the best current values in the lineup.

Service & Maintenance

Service intervals are every 4-6 years with costs of $500-$900 for El Primero chronographs. Zenith's service is handled through LVMH group infrastructure. The high-frequency El Primero movement requires specialized service but the manufacturer has decades of experience with the calibre.

Resale Value

Zenith watches depreciate 25-40% from retail. The Chronomaster and Defy lines hold value best. Zenith represents one of the best values in pre-owned chronographs — you get one of the most historically significant movements in watchmaking at very accessible secondary market prices.

Best Value Zenith Watches

Ranked by WVS Value Score — the models that best preserve your investment.

Zenith Collections

Each collection has a distinct character — from tool watches to haute horlogerie. Click through for full model comparisons.