My First Zelos! Is It A Winner?? Swordfish 40mm Titanium Frost Automatic - Perth WAtch

[@AdAce21]

I just got the titanium dial version and it's GORGEOUS! The white dial is extremely nice as well (the blue they used for the seconds hand and the triangle looks better in your video than on the website shot). And wow that lume on this watch - 7:28!!! Zelos makes killer watches, especially for the price.

[@PerthWAtch]

Yeah agreed! I didn’t notice there was a titanium dial, must’ve been of those noted to be “sold out” when I was choosing…

[@Asdfghjkl-w3j]

Can you please tell me how much custom duty you had to pay, for this watch?

[@AdAce21]

@@Asdfghjkl-w3j I bought it right from Zelos' website. There weren't any custom or duty fees.

[@djlakin1494]

Great watches from Zelos. I have the 42mm swordfish in black and for the price they take some beating. One other really pleasant surprise is when you open the case . I have regulated the NH movement and the movement holder is all metal with two gaskets ,one outer and one inner. All in all , really well made watches and a great service to back this up. Cheers Dave

[@PerthWAtch]

Ooh that’s nice to know - thanks for sharing that insight!

[@mikez7414]

Just received the slate blue version of this model. I’m very impressed with what you get for the money. I like the angular design of the case and bracelet links. I see the concerns in the comments about scratches. I don’t know how much of a problem that will be for me personally, but time will tell!

[@PerthWAtch]

Congratulations! Let us know how it fares - mine has already picked up some scratches on the clasp.

[@PpaStrmpf]

Ordered the same frost dial. Just love that simple white color with sky blue second hand ticking over. Love the matt titanium and the design is just mine taste. If it had Miyota 9015 and the Zelos quick adjust clasp would be for me perfect watch. I know the Mako is there but I do not like it's dial and hands.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for the comment - good choice, enjoy!!

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

Waiting on mine. The only real weakness is the absence of the anti scratch coating, but as i understand some people sorta expect or like titanium to get a bit scratched over time. We ll see:)

[@PerthWAtch]

Indeed… some consider the dings a mark of life and character which gathers with use.

[@Libertà_sopra_vita]

I own the zelos black tip in carbon. Its one of my favorite watches in my collection. Finishing is top notch 👌

[@PerthWAtch]

Nice one! :)

[@gamesetmatt23]

Dang, I'm SUPER jealous. That watch looks amazing! If you ever need to release it from your collection, give me a call 😉

[@simonwright6882]

Great value for money. I have one of these in ss and the mako ti teal (awesome dial). Definitely recommend 👌

[@PerthWAtch]

Awesome - thanks for that!

[@Lerroy007]

I was lucky and managed to grab the blood moon swordfish. Looking forward to it arriving in a week or so.

[@PerthWAtch]

Ooh that’s a nice one!!

[@mikeoberto7933]

Thanks, new to Zelos. That helped.

[@PerthWAtch]

Most welcome :)

[@james241ish]

You're a bit late? I've already ordered this exact watch at the launch 😝. Most of them sold out within minute's. Nice to get a preview of what's in transit though, thanks!

[@PerthWAtch]

Oh so it sold out earlier but is now back in stock? That’s news to me 😂

[@richardvacanti4265]

Last time I looked on the 21st they still had quite a good Selection. Witch one did you get. I got the same as the review. The white frost. Is the swordfish coated with a anti scratch coating. Just wondering because I know some companies do so on titanium watches because titanium is softer and scratches easer than stainless steal???? Thanks for another great review keep them coming . Your self. 4K watch reviews. I like watches 1 and 2 and . Jodi on Just one more watch. Are my favorite watch reviews because you guys review regular price watches that the average people like myself can afford. Not like Archie the watch CLOWN. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for that Richard. As a rule if a company doesn’t specify then it’s safe to assume they’ve gone with the cheaper option (ie. no scratch resistant coating on this one). Also, mine has picked up a few scratches on the bracelet already, and I’m not rough with my watches.

[@gimbydude491]

This model was a slow for the sell outs. Nothing was sold out immediately, and then only the more “exotic” dials. I think it is the uncoated Ti that people shy away from. As you said, it is a utility watch, with highly scratch-able Ti case and bezel, so kinda a no for me, and it looks like a lot of others as well. Love the look of the white dial Ti, I would have paid more to have the coating, but not the way Zelos wanted to go with this one, they wanted to keep the price down. Good review.

[@richardvacanti4265]

I got my first one to the other day. And same color. Great lume

[@PerthWAtch]

Nice one :)

[@saulysw]

I prefer the design of the Mako v3 40mm over the Swordfish 40mm, and that gets a Miyota movement too BUT it is a little more money. The Swordfish has some angular Seiko Samurai vibes about it, which ties into the bracelet and is all good if you like that look.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for the thoughts!

[@leeroy5190]

I love zelos watches but I wasn't aware how easily the titanium scratches. I have two titanium mako and one stainless steel swordfish .The stainless swordfish is so much more hard wearing. I thought titanium was supposed to be a premium material. Doesn't seem like it.

[@PerthWAtch]

Premium? I suppose marketing might call it that but why does that have to do with how it scratches? It’s really just a metal with its own properties - much stronger than steel especially given how light it is, but softer therefore scratches easily. Gold scratches even more easily - would you not consider gold “premium”?

[@leeroy5190]

@@PerthWAtch hmmm good point 🤔

[@brus3460]

I have the mako V3 ti and the bracelet's clasp scratches a ton. That is my one and only complaint about the watch and it shouldn't be a reason to not buy it. No one is looking at the clasp. The bezel and case have no scratches yet and I'm pretty hard on watches. A couple minor scratches on the bracelet but it's about the same scratching you would see on any stainless steel watch at the same price point

[@PerthWAtch]

Probably the same scratching you would see on steel at any price really. 904L on Rolex scratches easier than mode standard 316L.

[@goodrich06]

Do you prefer the Mako or Swordfish? Which colors do you have? I am new to Zelos. Thank you.

[@3rdstone1]

Great review. These Zelos get more tempting each year (month, week lol). Seems like really great value for the money.

[@3rdstone1]

And now I've just ordered my first Zelos. With the blue dial. It will also be my first titanium watch.

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha nice one 😂😂

[@ebiedog]

Is the case also titanium? The website only mentions that the bezel insert and bracelet links are titanium.

[@PerthWAtch]

The case is also titanium

[@anotherwatch]

Another great watch from Zelos. Waiting for my Forged Carbon model; arriving in 2 days.

[@PerthWAtch]

You got that one!? Darn… I would’ve chosen that except it was supposedly out of stock…

[@anotherwatch]

@@PerthWAtch yeah mannnn. Ordered it the same day it was launched

[@alexsdg3441]

None of Zelos are Zeros, but this isn't a Hero either. those indices seem like half done (reminds me of "paint primer". Must be that color....) and nothing really stands out. Solid watch for sure and price isn't bad either. However, for some reason, nothing grabs me. By the way, that "double quick release" seems to be too much protruding. Don't they dig into your wrist? Thanks for the review, Ivan.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for the thoughts Alex - I guess for me the full lume dial with sunken/sandwich indices is novel, and I quite like it. Overall, the originality is refreshing. Those quick release tabs are fine where they are and don’t touch my wrist… I think you need the double when it’s a tight metal end-link such as here.

[@ANiCKiN]

The Zelos wood box is a perfect humidor for cigars. :D

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha nice idea!!

[@fergiet18]

Great watches at a very fair price. I have the bronze with the teal dial and a s/s with the desert sand dial.

[@PerthWAtch]

Nice choices - I almost went for the desert sand one

[@stalkingwatcheschannel]

Great watch for the price, thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for the comment :)

[@stevefox8605]

Best spin I've seen 👏🏻 Seems they don't retain price much, some bargains available used. Think the RRP looks like good value tho. Always been wary of microbrands, but tempted by a meteorite dial Zelos... Cheers Ivan 👍🏻👍🏻

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha yeah very good spin… but the best so far belong to the POS Kimsdun I reviewed last year :) Does any micro brand really retain value well?

[@alexsdg3441]

@@PerthWAtch Ginault & Tisell hold up their values well. And so as Steinhart. But the best one among all of them (micro brands) is Helm. Perhaps due to their low production, but they sell higher than original price.

[@watchalot919]

Believe, the real value is in micro brands

[@stevefox8605]

@@watchalot919 only if you like them tho 👍🏻

[@scottlauren3145]

They absolutely hold their value, my friend.

[@williamrizzo1285]

Welcome to the club, I own 5 now. I prefer the 42 mm versions. 😋

[@PerthWAtch]

Oh wow… big fan! They seem to make very good pieces overall I must say

[@548vikings]

Gold metal for the Box Spin- Zelos!

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha yes it’s pretty good!

[@watchalot919]

Bought four, still own three. Great watches. Blacktip is technically the best. Don't like Ti, but have a SS version of that watch with a teal dial. Looks brilliant

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha thanks for the “tip” ;) Why don’t you like titanium?

[@watchalot919]

@@PerthWAtch I don't like the lack of weight, the appearance, and the fact it scratched easily. I had the 42mm Swordfish Ti, and flipped it within weeks. Love the 40mm SS version though

[@PerthWAtch]

I see, fair enough mate!

[@EricSloferwatchreviews]

That's a cool model

[@PerthWAtch]

Yeah it’s the “frost” colour that does it 😄

[@neila7144]

You're rating the spinnability of watch boxes? Why? It seems very, very odd to me.

[@PerthWAtch]

Yeah it’s very curious - perhaps I’ll let others explain it :)

[@gamesetmatt23]

I imagine the spinnability of the box has a direct link to the accuracy of the movement? I'm pretty sure I read a Hodinkee article about this... EDIT: Sorry, I should have mentioned... this doesn't apply to quartz.

[@77cjam]

Not a bad looking watch. Never liked the brand. I think like Spinnaker, a while ago they kept churning out watch after watch (even setting up a new brand to do the same) and flooding the review market. No doubt they make good watches and everyone seems to think the sun shines out their backend. Which partly might explain why they aren't for me, I tend to go in the opposite direction to crowds. So not for me, but my loss is someone else's gain. As always great review 👍

[@PerthWAtch]

Thank you for the thoughts - interesting to hear that they flooded the review market, as they never reached out to me until now!

[@wtfiswiththosehandles]

I would rather they used a cardboard box and plastic or paper warranty card. That would probably knock

[@PerthWAtch]

Did you mean >$50? If so I doubt it would…

[@gamesetmatt23]

Wake up earlier. Set an alarm. Then stop complaining. You'd do the same for tickets to that concert/show/event/premiere that you're excited about.

[@wtfiswiththosehandles]

@@PerthWAtch l meant less than 50, probably $20-40.

[@wtfiswiththosehandles]

@@gamesetmatt23 Except you can't really compare to an event which is by definition something that happens once. And once they're gone, no one lists tickets to those concerts as "sold out" for the next 10 years.

[@gamesetmatt23]

@@wtfiswiththosehandles All I'm saying is that if you were genuinely excited for this or any other watch that is "always sold out", then you'd make an effort to purchase it when it's released. BTW, at the time of posting there are still 4 x colourways available almost a month after release (there were 5 available as late as yesterday) and I have seen some restocking. That's totally fine if you don't want to get up at 3am in the morning (like I did). But don't complain that the colourway of your choice is out of stock, especially if you 'know' ahead of time that they will sell quickly.

[@cizcalodiablopanzon]

The clasp is off center on your wrist

[@PerthWAtch]

What?

[@gamesetmatt23]

Or... is his wrist off-centre with the clasp 😉

[@damianwims]

I'd feel silly paying that much for an NH35 while Ali watches are still available.

[@PerthWAtch]

It’s not just about the movement IMO… but to each his own!

[@damianwims]

@@PerthWAtch true true, but as you said yourself in the review, a Miyota 9000 would have been nice.

[@gamesetmatt23]

Damian, I challenge you to find a watch on Ali Express with a better movement that also has an original design and all the specs and features of this Zelos for $329 or less.

[@dinner_workingsly]

The 40s wear much better for me but I prefer the look of the 42. Almost too much going on with the case to really appreciate in the smaller size….even if the wrist doesn’t think so. Some cool original new age designs if you like that kinda thing….I’m still not sure yet even though I’ve owned nearly all diver models. Currently I’ve only got the HH3 and I’ll probably trade that out….🤷🏻‍♂️. The microbrand hipster in me says move on because of popularity.

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha how interesting - so their very success might put some off!

[@dinner_workingsly]

@@PerthWAtch lol…yeah I suppose so in my case 🤣

[@markfeldman612]

I bought the Ti Mako 40mm. It just looked very small. Bezel action was horrible. Mother of Pearl dial had no shine. Their under $500 watches are very boring. The Mirage and Skyraiders are pretty amazing but they're expensive and always sell out so there's no point.

[@PerthWAtch]

Interesting models there… I wonder if I can get my hands on any…!

[@finesse49]

It seems like a good deal if yo like the look. I don't.

[@PerthWAtch]

Fair enough mate!

[@dude28405]

I have vowed never to own a zelos. They made me mad by always advertising and never having anything in stock. That in and of itself isn't bad day after day they keep advertising and never have it in is what cheesed me off. They probably built good watches but I'll never buy one.

[@saulysw]

They used to make colorways in batches of 100, and they sold out pretty quick. More recently they have been making 300, and they hang around longer. If you are one their mailing list and buy when the product is released, you can get what you want - and at the discounted price.

[@dude28405]

@@saulysw Thanks for the info but that fish has sailed. There's many other micro brands in the sea

[@PerthWAtch]

That’s disappointing - sounds like they do make more now, as these models are still listed in stock on their site. Perhaps that’s why some of the models seemed to hold value!

[@dude28405]

@@PerthWAtch Maybe so but stubbornness is my thing. I didn’t like the way that they tried to have the cachet and swagger of a brand that’s been around fighting it out for decades.I have a friend that has an unholy hatred of citizen watches I have no problem with Citizen I actually think they’re an underrated watch company amongst collectors anyway every day users know the deal butI guess this brand is my citizen watch they’ve rub me the wrong way and I can’t be unrubbed