History of Zenith Watches
For more than 150 years, Zenith has left behind a remarkable trail watchmaking wisdom and heritage. In 1865, Swiss watchmaker, Georges Favre-Jacot established his company, in a town called Le Locle. It is suspected that Favre-Jacot chose to name the brand “Zenith,” after the development of a timepiece that exuded sensational quality. We admire a five-point star that rightfully stands as the company’s notable logo. The name, “Zenith” paired with such a prestigious logo, perfectly represents the brand’s desire to design fine timepieces of unparalleled quality.
Favre-Jacot commonly directed his attention to the production of pocket watches during his early years. He called upon the most esteemed names in the watchmaking industry to join him in business to gain independence from third-party manufacturers.
It wasn’t long before Zenith began releasing ultra-precise watch movements that later participated in the Neuchâtel Observatory’s chronometer competition. The company won several times in 1903. Favre-Jacot decided to part from the company in 1911, passing the prestigious name down to his nephew, James Favre. From the year 2000 to the present, Zenith earned its place in the luxury goods concern, LVMH.
Not only did Zenith succeed in the making of premium pocket watches, the brand also produced an abundance of desk clocks. It wasn’t until early in the 20th century that they presented one of the first wristwatches with the highly sought-after alarm function. This development neighbored the release of several pilot’s watches that were intended for use in the First World War.
Chronograph complications have played an integral part in this manufacturer’s pristine stockpile for nearly a 100 years. Even to this day, the signature El Primero caliber is Zenith’s most highly-coveted watch model. As the world’s first automatic chronograph movement, the Zenith El Primero has been unwaveringly and accurately keeping time since 1969.
Zenith Collection Break-Down
Defy: A genuine platform that serves as an inspiration for innovative watchmaking everywhere. From double tourbillons, gravity-defying gyroscopic mechanisms, and 1/100th of a second movements, the DEFY collection is revolutionary with a perpetuating contemporary accent.
Chronomaster: This iconic chronograph watch collection can be easily recognized by its signature triple sub dial design. This was also the collection that hosted the birth of the Zenith El Primero dynasty that took that horological world by storm. The Chronomaster El Primero calibre is the world’s first high-frequency automatic chronograph movement.
Elite: Minimalistic elegance wrapped in timeless simplicity leads us to the combination of delicately curved lines and sophisticated measurements. These contemporary attributes allow the Elite collection to stand apart from the rest of the inhabitants in the classical watch realm.
Pilot: Paying homage to the remarkable explorer souls of the world, the Zenith Pilot collection perpetually awaits your next adventure. This collection of timepieces maintains a vintage aesthetic withs bold lines and an oversized “onion-shaped” crown. The cathedral-style hands and bold dial markings create optimum readability for aviators everywhere.
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