ZENITH N.O.S. (New Old Stock) WATCH, 1950s, MANUAL

The history of Zenith began in 1865 in Le Locle, Switzerland, when the young watchmaker Georges Favre-Jacot, at just 22 years old, established the company with the aim of making watches of extreme precision and fully integrated. Favre-Jacot was a visionary in creating a watchmaking manufacture where all stages of production took place in one location, something revolutionary for its time and allowing Zenith to guarantee unmatched quality control.

Innovations and precision recognition

Zenith quickly earned a reputation for the accuracy of its chronometers, and in 1899 it presented its first pocket chronograph, establishing itself as a high-end brand. In 1911, the company officially adopted the name Zenith, inspired by the highest point in the sky, reflecting its aspiration to achieve maximum excellence. Throughout its history, the brand received numerous chronometry awards, positioning itself as one of the most respected manufactures for its high-precision movements.

El Primero and automatic chronographs

In 1969, Zenith introduced its most iconic 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 a precision of a tenth of a second. This achievement became a milestone in watchmaking and elevated El Primero to the status of an icon. This movement was so notable that renowned brands, such as Rolex, incorporated it into some of their models.

Overcoming the quartz crisis

Like many other Swiss companies, Zenith faced challenges during the quartz crisis in the 1970s, when Japanese quartz watches challenged traditional manufacturers. However, Zenith managed to overcome this period and, in the 1980s, refocused on mechanical movements. The brand’s resurgence was driven by the prestige of its El Primero movement, which continued to be highly regarded in the world of high watchmaking.

Zenith today

Today, Zenith is part of the LVMH group and continues to be recognized for its dedication to innovation and precision. The brand has diversified its catalog with contemporary collections, such as Defy and Pilot, without losing sight of the legacy and excellence of its famous El Primero. Zenith is appreciated globally for its historical heritage and pioneering contributions to watchmaking.

TEMPPUS. All rights reserved.