Category: zenith

A Technical Perspective – A Guide To The Hairspring, A Crucial Part Of The Movement (Technology, Manufacturing Process, Future Developments)

Sprung to life: who manufactures Hairsprings? An industry perspective on this key component whose production is still shrouded in secrecy – Barely one centimeter in diameter, the hairspring is the beating heart of a watch movement. It is a strategic component in several respects. Manufacturing hairsprings is a complex process and the whole Swiss watch industry has been relying on one supplier, Swatch Group’s Nivarox… at least, until very recently!

7 years ago

Up In The Air – Flying High With 5 Aviation Inspired Watches From Baselworld 2017

Legend has it that at the beginning of the 20th century, Louis Cartier designed a wristwatch for aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont because of the inconvenience of using a pocket watch while flying. The Santos was one of the earliest wristwatches and pilot watches. Born out of practicality, the watches intended for pilots have evolved – in fact, the original Santos had very little to do with a flight ‘tool’ watch.

7 years ago

Hands-On – Zenith Defy El Primero 21 – From a 10th to a 100th of a Second (Video, Specs & Price)

Back in 1969, Zenith introduced a movement that will later become an icon, as being both one of the first automatic chronograph movements, and being the 20th century’s king of precision, as beating at 5Hz and being precise to the 10th of a second. Its name: the El Primero. At Baselworld, the Le Locle-based manufacture has given this fast-beating engine a 21st century appeal: 50Hz frequency, precision to the 100th of a second, modernized look, open-worked movement. Here is the Zenith Defy El Primero 21… and it’s fast, very fast.

8 years ago

Hands-On – Zenith Defy El Primero 21 – From a 10th to a 100th of a Second (Video, Specs & Price)

Back in 1969, Zenith introduced a movement that will later become an icon, as being both one of the first automatic chronograph movements, and being the 20th century’s king of precision, as beating at 5Hz and being precise to the 10th of a second. Its name: the El Primero. At Baselworld, the Le Locle-based manufacture has given this fast-beating engine a 21st century appeal: 50Hz frequency, precision to the 100th of a second, modernized look, open-worked movement. Here is the Zenith Defy El Primero 21… and it’s fast, very fast.

8 years ago

Back to Basics: The Three Purest Designs by Leading Brands

Nothing is more challenging then to design a pure and simple watch. All of a sudden every little single detail can make or break the design. But with some watches everything fits together, like is the case with these three watches.

8 years ago

First Look – The New Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Range Rover Velar Special Edition (Live from Geneva Motor Show)

Live from Geneva – Range Rover just revealed the Velar, its new mid-size SUV, filling the gap between the urban-oriented Evoque and the larger Sport model. This more luxurious variant by Range Rover debuts at the Geneva International Motor Show. This was the opportunity for Zenith to unveil a new special edition, in the same vein as the first limited edition: a sleek (no fuss) chronograph powered by the iconic El Primero. Please welcome the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Range Rover Velar Special Edition.

8 years ago

The Very-Retro Zenith Heritage 146 Chronograph El Primero (and why it just rocks…)

Here’s the deal: an iconic chronograph movement, automatic, with column-wheel, high-beat frequency and very pleasant architecture to be seen on the caseback, a small diameter, a retro-inspired design, a clean dial, bi-compax layout, a no-date dial, all that wrapped in a pretty designed case and with the name of one of the greatest manufactures printed on the dial… What is there not to love in this description? Not much, admittedly. Well, this is what you’ll get with the Zenith Heritage 146 Chronograph El Primero, and yes, it is a pretty amazing watch, in fact it could well be the El Primero many were waiting for.

8 years ago