Zenith – Swiss Luxury Watches & Manufacture since 1865

Photo: Millenary watches

With a distinct perspective on the watchmaking industry and the bravery to introduce contemporary advances to a highly conventional industry, George Favre-Jacot launched Zenith in 1865. Zenith emerged as the first unified watch manufacturer in Switzerland as a result of his innovative concepts and tenacity. His goal was to create the most accurate and dependable timepiece ever made—the ideal watch.

George saw that bringing together all of the manufacturing trades required to create a timepiece under one roof was essential to achieving this great ambition. He, therefore, constructed a 17,000 m2 factory with a direct connection to the Le Locle railway station. This enabled him to get the raw materials he required for creation directly from the source. Up to 2000 people were employed at this ground-breaking Swiss manufacturing workshop in the early 20th century.

The Calibre 5011K, which delivered record-breaking accuracy while also being utilized to drive marine chronometers, table watches, and pocket clocks, was the first example of Zenith’s amazing accuracy design in the 1960s. Later, Zenith introduced El Primero, the very first combined mechanical Chrono movement, in 1969.

Photo: Wikipedia / George Favre-Jacot

El Primero has been the only caliber that could calculate shorter times down to one-tenth of a second. Moreover, it continues to be among the most accurate collection-made caliber throughout the world.

Photo: Ablogtowatch

Later, the LVMH group acquired Zenith in 2000. Among the few Swiss watch companies, Zenith still manufactures its movements. The most renowned is the El Primero, which is still in full operation.

Zenith has created 600 different movement variants throughout its lengthy existence and applied for 300 trademarks for its engineering feats. The designer has thus won 2,333 prizes for timekeeping accuracy from 1903, surpassing any other craftsman.

Overall, here’s a brief review of the Zenith’s modern history timepieces:

1. Zenith Chronomaster

When the sturdy yet elegant Zenith Chronomaster series was introduced in 1994, it gave the sector of sports timepieces a new look. The line now occupies a prestigious position at the top alongside expensive Swiss watches. Moreover, it emanates contemporary dimensions and unique design aspects.

Photo: Quill & Pad

The beautiful skeleton, as well as open heart watches, are made with cutting-edge components, like the renowned El Primero fully mechanical movement, which has a power reserve of about 60 hours. Certain models additionally have a dial hole that allows the wearer to see the moving parts of the movement.

Therefore, this collection would be perfect for you if you’re looking for unique luxurious sports timepieces.

2. Zenith Elite

When the business decided to launch the Zenith Elite collection in 2015, its profile improved, and they were acknowledged as one of the top brands in the watch business. This line of watches features minimalist, elegant, and ergonomic styles, making them ideal for formal settings. Apart from the facades, the Elite collection also features a number of complexities, including the renowned El Primero movement, a moonphase system, a tourbillon, and more.

Following the terrible quartz crisis that occurred during the 1970s and 1980s, Zenith opted to release its effective caliber Elite 6150 at the beginning of the 1990s. Its excellent performance is comparable to that of the El Primero movement.

Photo: Monochrome

This movement, renowned for being exceedingly tiny yet powerful, suits even small watch cases and has a power reserve of up to 100.

3. Zenith Pilot

As its title implies, the Zenith Pilot can offer a pilot, not just the classic and polished aesthetics they desire but also the fundamental yet superior functionality they require. The firm made sure that all these timepieces have a retro feel with a few subtly modern accents instead of solely depending on recent trends.

Photo: Catawiki

The fact that these Zenith men’s timepieces are recognized for having enormous displays, large crowns, and cases that may measure up to 45mm can significantly simplify a pilot’s task. Additionally, the pieces in this series have bright hour indicators and hands for easy reading in low-light environments, whether on earth or in the sky.

4. Zenith Captain

Zenith’s motto is “powered for brilliance,” and by launching the Zenith Captain line, they are keeping their promise. Even though very few people are aware of this brand, its timepieces feature ground-breaking functions, including a second time zone and a calendar display.

Looking through the portfolio, you’ll notice that many of these pieces have an amazing appearance that is both straightforward and reminiscent of historical timepieces. Although some include hour indicators in Roman numerals, others are just omitted and feature a neutral color palette.

Photo: Bukowskis

The Captain watches are the epitome of the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover,” as their genuine goals are revealed by looking deeper. Moreover, some use Elite calibers, whereas others use El Primero automated movements.

5. Zenith Defy

When it comes to one area in which Zenith truly thrives, it is in manufacturing robust and durable mechanical timepieces that may even last for a lifetime. It is clear from their Zenith Defy series, which is frequently mentioned in discussions among watch lovers and collectors.

The line, which was first offered during the late 1960s, simply reinvents the watch industry with its well-crafted designs and original conceptions. Additionally, the watches in this collection have bold, gorgeous, and fascinating designs that you won’t find in other luxurious labels. This makes it difficult to compare such watches to others because they each feature unique charms that will leave you speechless.

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Furthermore, the watches in this collection are the ideal representation of a contemporary Zenith men’s timepiece. This is because of their intricate and compelling constructions.

Bottom Line 

Zenith has a more than 150-year history and is well-known for creating watches for both genders that combine technology and tradition. Their automated chronographs, which measure time up to 1/10th of just a second, represent one of their biggest achievements in the world of watches overall.

One can’t just talk about Zenith without mentioning its renowned counterpart, the El Primero, owing to its originality and impressive legacy. Zenith maintains its reputation as a versatile firm through its world-class creations, which highlight its commitment to artistry. However, it might not be as well-known as other luxurious labels you hear about frequently.