May 21, 2013 | Baselworld, Hands-On, Zenith
As a tribute to Zenith’s aviation history, this year at Baselworld they launched four Pilot watches. Three of the watches comes in a 48 mm case, one in a 40 mm case, which is pictured. Considering that 48 mm is gigantic on most people’w wrist, the Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 40 mm is the most wearable of the new Pilot watches.
July 15, 2012 | Zenith
Zenith has introduced a special boutique edition of the Christophe Colomb wristwatch for London boutique Marcus, the Zenith Christophe Colomb Skeleton. Like the original Christophe Colomb timepiece, which was introduced back in 2010, its design is based on a marine chronometer.
By housing the regulating organ and escapement in a self-regulating gyroscopic module they can guarantee flat positioning, and therefore reduce rate variations. Tourbillons fix rate variations based on the average of 4 to 6 positions, and inclined and gyrotourbillons average even more positions, but this is still not as accurate, according to Zenith. Zenith's new patented 0G system keeps the escapement in a constant horizontal position, and therefore further minimizes rate variations.
The movement is still the manually wound calibre Academy 8804, with 45 jewels, a frequency of 36,000 vph (5hz) and a 50 hour power reserve. The case is in platinum with the same 45 mm diameter dimensions as the original.
What has changed from the original Christophe Colomb, though, is that the dial and movement have been skeletonized, so now you can see the plates, bridges and gears. Now, sapphire discs and blued hands display the hours and minutes (12 o'clock), the small seconds (9 o'clock) and the power reserve (3 o'clock).
April 11, 2012 | Baselworld, Zenith
Unveiled at Baselworld, the Zenith Doublematic Pilot is an all new El Primero equipped timepiece. It not only boasts a chronograph (like the majority of El Primeo timepieces), it also has a 24 city worldtimer and a mechanical alarm.
The Doublematic Pilot caliber 4046 is an El Primero in-house movement with world time and alarm functions. It includes double power barrels, one dedicated to powering the alarm and the other powering all other functions. The hand decorated self-winding movement consists of 439 parts, 41 jewels, a frequency of 36,000 vph (5Hz) and a 50-hour power reserve. Functions include hours, minutes, seconds, alarm, 24 time zone worldtimer, chronograph, big date and alarm power reserve.
February 29, 2012 | Baselworld, Zenith
Zenith will introduce the new vintage inspired El Primero Chronomaster 1969 next week at Baselworld. Housed in a 42 mm stainless steel case, the Chronomaster features an opening in the dial that allows a view of the balance and gear train. Inside is a new self-winding movement, El Primero caliber 4061, with 31 jewels, 282 parts, a frequency of 36,000 vph (5Hz) and a 50-hour power reserve.
The dial features a silvered sunburst finish. Indexes and hands are rhodium-plated and coated with Superluminova. Functions include hours, minutes, small seconds and chronograph. Domed double sided anti-reflective crystal. Sapphire caseback. Oscillating weight with "Côtes de Genève" motif. Black alligator strap with rubber lining and steel buckle or triple folding clasp. Water-resistance is 100 meters.
September 28, 2011
In collaboration with Musée International d'Horlogerie (MIH), Zenith introduces the Captain Winsor Annual Calendar Chronograph. The Captain Winsor features Zenith's famous El Primero chronograph caliber, with the addition of new complication, the annual calendar. An annual calendar displays the date, day of the week and month with only one adjustment required per year.
The exclusive 29-jewel El Primero 4054 automatic movement runs at 5 Hz (36,000 vph) and has a power reserve of 50 hours. Functions include hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, annual calendar (date, day month).
November 21, 2010
Under the careful direction of their new CEO, Jean-Frédéric Dufour, Zenith has focused heavily on the El Primero movement, and traditional aesthetics. We will not see any of the contemporary designs that have plagued the brand in recent years. We will, however, see Zenith flexing their watchmaking skills and know how, and this new collection, is a perfect example of this.
Last year, at Baselworld, you could already see a new sense of excitement around the brand, and their newly developed timepieces. Especially, the hot new EL Primero Striking seconds chronograph, which was introduced prior to the start of the show. This year, the brand will introduce even more new models, and the excitement around the brand should grow even more, and regain much of the traction they lost under Nataf.
November 3, 2010 | Zenith
Zenith recently announced a new wristwatch based on the design of a marine chronometer - the Christopher Columbus. By housing the regulating organ and escapement in a self-regulating gyroscopic module they can guarantee flat positioning, and therefore reduce rate variations. Tourbillons fix rate variations based on the average of 4 to 6 positions, and inclined and gyrotourbillons average even more positions, but this is still not as accurate, according to Zenith. Zenith's new patented 0G system keeps the escapement in a constant horizontal position, and therefore further minimizes rate variations.
The movement is a manually wound calibre Academy 8804. It has 45 jewels and operates at 36,000 vph (5hz), with a 50 hour power reserve. The case is 45 mm in diameter and comes in either rose, white or yellow 18k gold (limited edition of 25 pieces per variation). Water-resistance is 30 meters.
Zenith calls this timepiece a "Grande complication", which is not necessarily true. A "Grand complication" has a set of requirements that this timepiece does not meet. It is, however, an extremely complicated timepiece that with the help of the gyroscopic module, can keep the rate consistent, even with changes in the position of the timepiece. This is the first wristwatch to feature this type of function, and that by itself is meritorious. However, I do question how comfortable the round glass cage feels protruding through the caseback (at least 5 mm) - directly into your wrist.
© 2013 Professional Watches. All rights reserved. Made in NY.
