Category: zenith

Introducing – Zenith El Primero A384 Revival – The Final Piece in the El Primero 50-Years Revival Series (Live Pics)

This year, as you’ve probably noticed, is the 50th anniversary of two important milestones for the watchmaking industry. On one side is the Moon-Landing. More important for today’s topic, 1969 marked the introduction of the Zenith El Primero, part of the first automatic chronographs launched on the market. In order to celebrate 50-years of this iconic movement, Zenith has already released several great pieces, all based on the reference A386 – in steel as part of a special revival box, or in gold with 3 limited edition watches. Today, it is another of the inaugural 1969 El Primero watches that will be re-issued, the reference A384 – and its availability will make quite some enthusiasts happy.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Zenith Defy Fusée Tourbillon – Unchaining Tradition

Tradition meets innovation in this new Zenith Defy model with its dramatic setting to host two watchmaking classics: a fusée-and-chain escapement and a tourbillon. In keeping with the avant-garde spirit of the Defy family, Zenith stages the show in a gravity-defying, 3D, openworked setting that reveals absolutely everything. Available in full carbon or platinum cases, these limited editions are not for the faint of heart.

6 years ago

Buying Guide – 5 of the Coolest Chronographs of Baselworld 2019

The chronograph is, without doubt, one of the most popular complications. A complex, purposeful piece of engineering, it is a must-have for watch aficionados… and the category has given rise to some of the most iconic watches (think Moonwatch or Paul Newman here). Among the numerous new models presented at Baselworld 2019, some really stood out. Here’s a look at 5 of our favourite chronographs of the fair.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Zenith Defy El Primero Double Tourbillon

High-frequency chronographs have long been part of Zenith’s identity. It all started in 1969 when Zenith introduced one of the best and most accurate chronograph movements ever created, the iconic El Primero. Fast forward to 2017, when Zenith introduced the Defy El Primero 21, an innovative chronograph with two regulators, capable of measuring hundredths of […]

6 years ago

Baselworld 2019 – Best of Show, including a Plethora of Tourbillons and another World-Record

Baselworld 2019 has come to an end. As always, it has been a rather packed event, despite a strange impression with the absence of Swatch Group’s brands, several other brands and an unusually high number of brands presenting their watches in different locations around the official ‘Messe’. If the mood was good overall, the future of the show was on everyone’s lips with speculations surrounding the attendance of the LVMH brands, Breitling and many more to the next editions of the fair. Now the dust has settled, team MONOCHROME looks back and chooses the best of show…

6 years ago

Video – The Zenith Watches of Baselworld 2019 Explained by CEO Julien Tornare

This year is the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic movements ever created (if not the most well-known movement of the entire industry), the Zenith El Primero. While most brands would have looked at the past and introduced vintage re-editions of existing models only, Zenith took a different path. Here are the main […]

6 years ago

Baselworld 2019 – Zenith Defy Inventor – The Revolutionary Zenith Oscillator now Commercialized (Live Pics & Video)

More than three centuries after the invention of the sprung balance (by Hooke/Huygens), the oscillator is back in the limelight. Exploring new frontier and technological breakthroughs in mechanical watchmaking, the oscillator is considered the crowning glory for the most inventive and skillful watchmakers. Just a few days after the presentation of the Ulysse Nardin Freak […]

6 years ago

In-Depth – The Zenith 50 Years of El Primero Anniversary Set (incl. the El Primero A386 Revival and more)

Back in the 1960s, as surprising as it seems now, there was only one way to use a chronograph: you had to wind it every morning. Indeed, all (literally all of them) were hand-wound movements… until 1969, when the world of watches changed drastically when three of the most prominent movements ever made were launched almost simultaneously. In January 1969 though, the very first to be introduced, as suggested by its name was El Primero, “The First” Automatic Chronograph. In order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this emblematic movement, Zenith introduces an exclusive “50 Years of El Primero Anniversary Set” of watches, including a faithful re-edition of the mythical A386 and the introduction of a new movement, the Calibre 3600.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton Two-Tone, Titanium and Rose Gold

Following up on their well-priced/well-executed full-titanium Defy Classic Skeleton from 2018, Zenith has added an embellished version with rose gold, which is also the first two-tone 41mm Defy model. The titanium bezel has been replaced with 18-carat rose gold along with links in the integrated titanium bracelet. The same sporty look with an edge from the Defy Classic remains intact with the two-tone version, but the upscale aesthetic is targeting a more “coat and tie” clientele. The openworked (skeleton) dial is the only option this time around, removing the second blue sunburst dial from last year’s Defy Classic. The core product may be the same, but the cosmetic changes make a big difference to the overall package. Let’s take a closer look at the Two-Tone Zenith Defy Classic.

6 years ago