A Brief Historical Timeline Of Zenith Watches

The birth of the first Manufacture of Zenith dates back to 1865 in the historic town of Le Locle, Switzerland. The 22-year old Georges Favre-Jacot was an entrepreneur at heart and a visionary watchmaker with a brilliant mind. He opened a workshop intending to gather the best craftsmen in the country under one roof to create the most reliable and most precise timepieces ever made. Georges Favre-Jacot's humble beginnings gradually expanded into a watchmaking empire covering an area of 17,000 square metres and included almost 2,000 employees in the early decades of the 20th century.

The company launched its first chronograph in 1899, and a year later, Georges Favre-Jacot was awarded the Grand Prix for one of his best creations - the Zenith calibre. In 1910, the firm expanded its product range to include onboard instruments. 1911 was a landmark year since the Manufacture adopted "Zenith" as its definitive name, referring to the founding father's famous work.

The status Zenith has achieved today owes a great deal to the exceptional watchmaker Charles Vermot. One of the brilliant minds behind the El Primero movement, Charles Vermot, took it upon himself to preserve the iconic creation when the company decided to cease the production of mechanical watches in the wake of the quartz crisis of the 1970s. He gathered all the technical plans and tools behind the El Primero and hid them in the Zenith Manufacturer's attic. Then, about a decade later, when mechanical watches were again in demand, Vermot's heroic act revived the production of the El Primero in full swing.

Zenith's innovation streak did not start with El Primero. Even post World War II, the history of Zenith is dotted with remarkable technical feats. In 1948, the brand launched the Calibre 135, a wristwatch chronometer movement with a small seconds function. The Calibre 5011K, launched in 1960, had unparalleled precision and would later be used to power pocket watches, marine chronometers, table clocks, and limited edition timepieces. Crowning it all was the El Primero released in 1969, an integrated automatic chronograph movement with a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour. Finally, in 1994 the company launched the ultra-thin automatic calibre Elite, developed using computer-assisted design technology. In 2000, Zenith was acquired by luxury goods company LVMH.

Zenith Watch Production - The Essence of Swiss Manufacture

Georges Favre-Jacot's pioneering spirit breathed a fresh air of innovation into the established Swiss watchmaking traditions. Since its foundation in 1865, precision and quality has remained the guiding light of every Zenith creation. As envisioned by the founder, the integration of the finest watchmaking techniques and proficiency in the same continues to inspire Zenith to make groundbreaking progress in the field of chronometry.

The company's relentless pursuit of chronometric precision is evident in Zenith's horological innovations. Be it redefining the heart of a mechanical watch that has undergone little change since the 17th century or mastering gravity with a gyroscopic mechanism, this Swiss Manufacturer is par excellence.

The Zenith Maison at Le Locle, a technical and creative group of artisans, and the brand's association with the LVMH group has elevated Zenith to greater adulation and Haute Horological success. Today, the brand prides itself on equipping all its timepieces with in-house mechanical movements.

Zenith Watches - Bold and Brave

Zenith has been part of the lives of extraordinary individuals who have dared to dream big and inspired the world to achieve the impossible.

Caroline Rémy, a champion of women's rights in the 19th century, has been a proud owner of a Zenith Agate pocket watch. Zenith began selling in India in the early 20th century, and the brand's silver pocket watch became a constant companion of Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi, the man who inspired millions with his principle of non-violence.

Currently, the company offers watches for men and women. They are categorised into four main collections: Defy, Pilot, Chronograph, and Elite. An Icon section is also on offer for those who want to own a piece of Zenith’s glorious past. The Chronograph collection also houses the El Primero movement.

Zenith's watches have also adorned the wrists of aviation pioneers such as Louis Blériot, the first man to fly across the English Channel in 1909. The pilot’s watch that adorned Blériot’s wrist initiated the brand’s legacy as a manufacturer of aviation instruments and timepieces. Interestingly, Zenith has trademarked the word ‘Pilot’ and is the only company with exclusive rights to use the term on a watch dial.