ZENITH CAPTAIN AUTOMATIC, VINTAGE 1960s

The history of Zenith began in 1865 in Le Locle, Switzerland, when the young watchmaker Georges Favre-Jacot, at just 22 years old, founded the company with the vision of creating extremely precise and fully integrated watches. Favre-Jacot was a pioneer in establishing a watchmaking manufacture where all production stages were carried out under one roof, something innovative for his time and which allowed Zenith to ensure an exceptional quality control.

Innovations and reputation for precision

Zenith quickly stood out for the accuracy of its chronometers, and in 1899 it launched its first pocket chronograph, establishing itself as a brand of high quality. In 1911, the company officially adopted the name Zenith, inspired by the highest point in the sky, as a symbol of its ambition to achieve maximum excellence. Throughout its history, the brand won numerous chronometry awards, positioning itself as one of the most recognized manufactures for its high precision movements.

The El Primero and automatic chronographs

In 1969, Zenith presented its most famous creation: the El Primero movement, one of the world’s first automatic chronographs and the first to operate at a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour, allowing time to be measured with an precision of up to a tenth of a second. This achievement marked a milestone in watchmaking history and turned El Primero into an icon. This movement was so influential that prestigious brands, like Rolex, used it in some of their models.

Resurgence after the quartz crisis

Like many other Swiss brands, Zenith faced difficulties during the quartz crisis in the 1970s, when Japanese quartz watches challenged traditional manufacturers. However, Zenith resisted and in the 1980s, refocused on mechanical movements. The brand’s revival was driven by the prestige of its El Primero movement, which remained highly valued in the world of haute horology.

Zenith today

Today, Zenith is part of the LVMH group and continues to be known for its commitment to innovation and precision. The brand has expanded its catalog with modern collections, such as Defy and Pilot, but maintains the legacy and excellence of its famous El Primero. Zenith is valued worldwide for its heritage and pioneering contributions to the history of watchmaking.

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