Behind the brand

Established in 1865, ZENITH had big dreams and strived to achieve the impossible from Louis Blériot’s history-making flight across the English Channel to Felix Baumgartner’s record-setting stratospheric free-fall jump. By bringing together all trades so that every part of a watch could be made in-house, a notion that was unique in its time, ZENITH watches quickly earned an enviable reputation thanks to their exemplary quality control.

In 1899, ZENITH created their first chronograph but it was the El Primero chronograph, launched seventy years later, that became the iconic movement to take the brand to new heights. An integrated movement, unlike the Calibre 11 created by ZENITH and Breitling, the ZENITH movement was particularly unusual as it featured a balance oscillating with a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hertz), allowing for split-second timing to the nearest tenth of a second. In fact, the movement was so legendary it was procured by big names such as Rolex to be included in their models. And today? ZENITH continues to make other movements, including remarkable tourbillions but none quite as commendable as the El Primero. It’s no wonder, we’re in awe of each and every incredible timepiece.