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Of all the stunning lots in this week’s Christie’s sale in Geneva, one that particularly caught our eye, and the eye of some serious watch collectors, was a mythical prototype Zenith El Primero. This watch was one of 25 prototypes, of which an unknown number survive to this day. Turns out that intrest in the watch ran beyond the typical collector, with Zenith themselves getting right in the thick of bidding. 

From:HODINKEE

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You can always trust Zenith to be at the top of its game. With the Zenith Espada, the famous watch maker continues their upward climb with their latest release in their El Primero line.

Powered by the El Primero 4650b with a whopping fifty hour power reserve, the Zenith Espada packs a powerful punch. The automatic movement makes keeping this watch running right on time as effortless as the design of the timepiece.

Zenith has always relied on its sterling, yet simple, design principles to craft watches that are stunning in its effortless style. Offered in four variations, all of the versions are easy to read with accented indexes in rose gold and silver and your choice of stainless steel or alligator bracelets.

The solid hands of the watches are easy to spot in the polished dials of the timepieces, while the starred accent on the second hand add a subtle detail to the watch. One version even features diamond indexes—Zenith’s only accession to opulence. Whatever the accents, each variation still features the same elegantly understated design.

The watch also has a date function, which is easily visible, but won’t distract you while telling the time. The Zenith Espada crafts their whole watches to fit together like an elegant puzzle piece—nothing juts out of place but all works together to create a pleasing picture.

Zenith needs no limited editions, no over-hyped products sold by celebs to sell their watches.  With a dedication to fine watches and years of delivering on their ideals, Zenith watches practically sell themselves.

Their secret? Zenith is one of the few watch makers that manufacture all their pieces from top to bottom. With scratch resistant sapphire for the dial window and a 24 month warranty, you won’t have to worry about this watch being high maintenance.  The watch is also water resistant up to 100 meters, or 330 feet, making it a good choice for those who want a more durable watch.

By committing themselves to great movement, easy readability, and classic design, the Zenith lines stand out above the rest.  For those who are looking for quality that’s one-of-a-kind and a reputation as sterling as their watches themselves, Zenith is the answer.

The Zenith Esapada is no exception to the watch designer’s legacy with solid simplicity and flawless technology.  With a few more watches like this, Zenith’s name is sure to be written in the stars.

From:Luxury Watches That Impress Review Blog

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In today’s world of overloaded, gaudy accessories, the Zenith Elite Captain stands out for its striking simplicity. Zenith watches, founded in 1865, have taken a sure but steady road to the top of Swiss watch making. Praised for their mechanical precision and flawless finishing, the watch designer is certainly among the top watch makers in the world.

Zenith’s Elite series has outdone itself with the intelligent design and forward thinking. Their previous designs have sported invisible windows to reveal the inner mechanics of the watch, but the Zenith Elite Captain removes the distracting elements of the watch and presents the flawless execution of their design in its place.

For most watches, this simple design would be boring, but the extreme attention to the flawless, graceful lines of the watch turn simplicity into a work of art. The silver sunray dial meshes perfecting with rose gold accents for the indexes and the curved sapphire glass, treated for anti-reflection on both sides provides a clear window into the time.

The automatic movement is crafted with the same excellence included in all Zenith watches and includes hours, minutes, central seconds, and date functions. The fifty hour power reserve adds to the functionality of this watch, though the low water resistance (only 50 m/165 ft) means that you won’t want to take this watch swimming, or even a heavy rain.

However, the dark brown rubberized alligator strap is sure to outlast whatever activities you put it through. If the alligator strap isn’t your type, you can swap it for the stainless steel bracelet. The alternative colors on the steel bracelet provide a subtle effect on the eye. In the stainless steel version of the watch, the rose good accents are replaced with silver and the silver sunray dial is replaced with a black sunray version.

Both versions provide a subtle contrast that complements the simplicity of the watch, but also maintains the readability of the watch. If you prefer numerals on your dial, the watch may have some issues, but the clearly marked indexes on the open face combined with the bold hands of the watch make this watch not only easy to read, but a pleasure as well.

The Zenith brand is continually producing watches at the very highest of standards. The Zenith Elite Captain is no exception to Zenith’s rule of outstanding products. Whether this brand is at the pinnacle of their success is hard to say—for the Zenith’s past 150 years prove that the brand may still be on its way up.

From:Luxury Watches That Impress Review Blog

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The second hand of this movement sweeps in 1/10th of a second jumps and does one rotation in 10 Seconds. The chronograph performs 600 jumps a minute. Seeking to reduce the energy required naturally entailed making the movement wheels as light as possible, which is why some of them are in silicon. The heart of the El Primero beats at a higher rate of 36’000 vibrations per hour, -The watch is driven by the El Primero 4052 B automatic caliber. -The 42mm case comes in a choice of 18-carat rose gold or stainless steel -Water-resistant to 10 ATM (100 metres) -Anti-glare sapphire crystal on both sides. About Zenith SA: Zenith is a Swiss watch manufacture started in 1865 by Georges Favre-Jacot at the age of 22, in Le Locle in the canton of Neuchâtel. Zenith has a long reputation for the quality and precision of their watches, with 1565 1st-place precision awards to date. Zenith, is one of the few Swiss watch brands that make their own mechanical movements – the Elite (standard movement) and the El Primero (chronograph). The El Primero movement has a frequency of 36000 alternations per hour. This high rate ensures that the chronograph with be accurate to 1/10th of a second. Zenith was purchased by luxury giant LVMH in November 1999, becoming one of several brands in LVMH’s watch and jewelry (diamonds) division. March, 2010. … Zenith ゼニスBaselworld 2010 Swiss Geneva スイス tourbillon tourbillion トゥールビヨン balance time 時計 clock wrist 懐中時計 hand watch hours minutes …

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When you think of Zenith, odds are, you think “El Primero.”  One of the first automatic chronographs to come to market (and certainly the first high-beat, integrated chronograph to come to market) the El Primero is something of a cult movement and certainly the backbone of Zenith, who has enjoyed strong success in the past few years based on the launch of some very complicated pieces like the Striking Tenth Chronograph and Captain Winsor at very reasonable prices. 

While every movement Zenith makes is indeed their own – they are a true manufacture from top to bottom – not every movement they make is an El Primero.  Their Captain line, for example, uses a Zenith “Elite” movement with a VPH (vibrations per hour) of 28,800.  One of the defining traits of the El Primero is that it has a VPH of 36,000.

So, while Zenith did put much of its attention pilots watches and continued with chronographs this year at Basel World 2012, one of the most interesting relases came in the form of a brand new time-only watch called the Espada featuring a time-date movement that they are calling an El Primero, despite the fact it is not a chronograph movement.

The El Primero 4650 B was in fact built to spec of the traditional El Primero chronograph, and beats at 36,000 BPH as one might expect – it just happens to be missing the chronograph function.  What the new Espada offers is the chance to own part of the El Primero history in a three-handed watch.

Sized at 40mm and available in steel, rose gold, and two-tone steel/rose gold in a few different dials, the new Espada will sit above the Elite collection and below the El Primero Chronograph collection in terms of pricing and prestige.  Pricing is expected to start at just above $ 6000 in steel and $ 15,000 in gold.  Does Zenith need two three-handed movements?  We will find out soon enough, though we do expect Zenith fans to be clamoring for this one.

Click through for live pics.

From:HODINKEE

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Zenith has captured the adventurous spirit of exploration in its Christophe Colomb timepiece. This inspiring complex yet exquisitely designed timepiece embodies Manufacture Zeniths’ historical developmental journey of its precision Lépine chronometer movement, which was manufactured at the beginning of the 20th century. This 201/2” NVI chronometer, whose escapement was known as the “Echappement Colomb” (Columbus Escapement), received three First Prize awards from the Neuchâtel Observatory and an “Especially Good Class A Certificate” from the Kew Observatory, Teddington.

Precision, it is all about precision at Manufacture Zenith. A century after Christopher Colombus’ amazing New World discovery, a shipboard compass that featured a precision “Cardan suspension” on gimbals system, a type of universal joint in a shaft that enables it to rotate when out of alignment, developed to enhanced maritime navigation. This system was instrumental to a ships survival out at sea, as ships were affected by the gravitational effects of rolling waves that constantly altered ships navigation. This Cardan suspension system was subsequently used to equip marine chronometers and inspired Manufacture Zenith to incorporate this very same system of complex precision technology in its designed tourbillon movement for its Christophe Colomb wrist watch.

Christophe Colomb impressive features boasts a silver dial housed in white, rose or yellow 45 mm diameter case with black lacquered indexes and numerals and blue stainless steel minute, hour and indicator hands. The hours and minutes are ex-centered at 12 o’clock, the self-regulating gyroscopic module is at 6 o’clock, and the second display is at 9 o’clock with the power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock. It showcases a box-form sapphire crystal with anti-reflection treatments on both sides and excrescent domes cover the gyroscopic module.

The movement is Academy 8804, manual, consisting of a unique gyroscopic system which maintains perfect horizontal positioning of the regulating organ (the tourbillon). The caged tourbillon consists of 166 components, 10 conical geared wheels which has six spherical wheels and six ball bearings.

Five years went into the development and daring complications of the 166 components housed inside the 3D-like gyroscopic module –referred to as its regulating organ as well as its movement beating at 10 vibrations per second. Manufacture Zenith has brilliantly produced the first wrist watch in which the rate is entirely independent of the wearers’ movements – impressive.

The Christophe Colomb timepiece marks a major milestone for Manufacture Zenith as well as the watch making industry. It is an exceptionally limited edition timepiece, having only 25 pieces each in white, rose or yellow gold. It is destined to become a legendary iconic timepiece for Manufacture Zenith and for connoisseurs that purchase this inspiring yet elegantly made instrument.

From:Luxury Watches That Impress Review Blog

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There are few high-end brands that we respect as much as Zenith and you don’t have to look much further than their website to understand why. Zenith is responsible for the stunning Elite Captain Dual Time, the very cool Striking 10th and even the Captain Windsor which boasts both an annual calendar and a chronograph for a price that is literally without competition. All Zenith timepieces are powered by their own in-house movements, allowing the internal technology to keep pace with their many beautiful designs. Zenith’s newest model, the Espada, is their attempt at an entry level model to attract new buyers while still incorporating their brand DNA into its simple three-hand design.

The 40mm wide Espada may be an entry level model but buyers will be excited to note that it is still powered by an in-house El Primero 4650b with a 50 hour power reserve, 22 jewels and a decorated rotor that can be seen through the sapphire case back. Furthermore, the 4560b beats at a watch-nerd approved and silky smooth 36,000 vph (5 Hz). Zenith has a total of eight different variations which make use of steel or rose gold for the cases and a range of dials that even includes diamond-clad versions. The conservative in us really likes the base steel model with the black dial and its teal accents (ref 03.2170.4650/21.M2170).

With many brands producing limited editions with multiple complications and cases made exclusively from precious metals, it is refreshing to see a brand as revered as Zenith reaching out to those who prefer their watches in steel and designed to tell the time in a simple and predictable manner. Pricing for the Espada starts at €5000 ($ 6525 USD) and will range as high as €22,400 ($ 29,200 USD) for the all gold version. Cheap? Hardly, but if you’re in the market for a beautiful Swiss three-hander with an in-house movement and good heritage then Zenith has priced the Espada to have excellent value in the marketplace. For comparison, consider the 41mm Rolex Datejust II 116334 retails for $ 8600 USD and features very similar kit, save for its white gold bezel. The Espada, with its combination of an El Primero movement, Zenith’s craftsmanship and a luxurious yet reserved design, is a great-looking sleeper that we would be proud to wear.

From:WatchReport.com

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Its been a busy few days at Baselworld and there have been a few watches that have caught my eye. I tend to get drawn towards the watches that I feel are in my affordability range and strike me as very wearable. One of these watches is the Zenith Espada.

Ultrawearable at 40mm, and featuring a dumbed-down version of the El Primero movement, named the Calibre 4650B. This 36,000vph movement is ultra-slick and ultra-smooth. The dial and case captures that classic Zenith look that I have been really dying to get my hands on. Water resistant to 100m, Sapphire Crystals front and back.

From:The Breitling Watch Blog

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One of the world’s most recognized and sought after luxury watch brands is Zenith Watches. The recent addition of the annual WorldWatchReport, which is based on reports of anonymous consumer searches on Google, Bing, Yandex, and Baidu, found that Zenith is the third most searched brand behind IWC and Patek Phillipe. Zenith accounted for 11% of the demand. Zenith’s innovative and desired designs get a new contender this year in the one of the brand’s newest pieces, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969. Zenith’s position as one of the world’s most searched watch brands is certainly helped by the addition of this timepiece to the brand’s collection.

Zenith is a Swiss Watchmaker

The three most searched watch brands, IWC (23 % share), Patek Philippe (16%), and Zenith (11%), accounted for 50% of all of demand for high-end watch brands. Part of this demand is due to the rise in demand from Chinese consumers. China has the highest digital demand for watches, overtaking the United States.

Zenith is a Swiss watch manufacturer that was started in 1865 by Georges Favre-Jacot. Known for their quality, Zenith is the winner of many watchmaking awards. Most recently the brand won the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix for Best Complicated Watch of the Year for their Christoph Colomb Equation of Time watch. In addition to the quality craftsmanship, Zenith has the distinction of being one of the few remaining Swiss watch manufacturers that still produces their own movements. One of the company’s most famous movements is the El Primero chronograph.

The El Primero chronograph, one of the first automatic chronograph movements, was initially released in 1969. This movement is characterized by it’s high positional accuracy, with 36,000 alternations per hour, compared with the standard 28,000 alternations. While being a newly designed watch, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 is a nod back to that original release.

The new model features vintage-style round push buttons on the side. The design has an opening on the watch face that shows the El Primero movement at work. Water-resistant to 100 meters, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 gives a nod back to the original 1969 model by retaining the three different colored counters and the red seconds chronograph hand on the watch face. The two 30-second counters at 3 o’clock are midnight blue and the 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock is anthracite. The watch is complete with an alligator leather strap.

Will the new El Primero Chronomaster 1969 cause consumers to search for Zenith at a higher rate or win awards like other Zenith models? Will this timepiece make it’s mark in the fastest growing market, China? It is too soon to tell. What is clear, though, that with this new piece Zenith gives a nod to it’s past while looking toward it’s future.

Zenith's El Primero Chronomaster 1969

From:Luxury Watches That Impress Review Blog

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