1970s Zenith Port Royal Automatic

Arthur
Sep 14
2 min read

What's so special about the watch?

This watch grows on you, I must say. While I typically don't like the way rectangular cases look on my small wrists (it's like they cut my wrist off), the circular dial on this watch makes its large case makes it quite the accommodating wrist piece.

And that matte black dial, adorned with thin polished indices, is also signed with the old Zenith logo. The minute track is interrupted by small tritium dots, the same share as the two lines on the dauphine hands.

Both vintage and hopelessly stylish at the same time, I've even procured three separate straps for it! Bad move as I've no other watch with 24mm lug-widths. Well, one man's loss is the next person who owns this watch's gain!

What are the functions of the watch?

Time and date.

Let me tell you about the case...

It's rectangular from the top, with a bit of a curve at the ends to allow it to sit nicely on your wrist - quite the intelligent ergonomic design from the guys at Zenith. The stainless steel case has a slight vertical polish along all its edges, and capped with a polished circular bezel to surround the dial. The case back design mirrors this concept nicely, presenting a dress watch that's quirky and eye catching.

And now the dial...

Apart from the peculiar case shape, the white gold indices were what attracted me to this watch. The thin applied markers shine brightly against the matte black background, adding to the bling of the dress watch.

The brand logo and watch markers are pressed upon the dial in a stark white, like the seams of a white shirt complementing the black fabric of a tuxedo. Even the date window sits within a white square box!

Let's not forget the hands.

High polish on the sword hands and the centre sweeping seconds (28,800vph!) complete the watch's glamour factor.

Specifications: