2015 is an undeniably festive year for Zenith, since the Manufacture is celebrating 150 years of existence: a century and a half of watchmaking history driven by expertise and daring. An ideal opportunity for the brand with the guiding star to demonstrate its creativity and innovation through an exceptional series of timepieces dedicated to the visionary spirit of its founder, Georges Favre-Jacot. Firmly embedded in the Zenith DNA, that same daring attitude that led the 22 year-old entrepreneur from Le Locle to create one of the first industrial watch Manufactures, is fully expressed in the new Academy Georges Favre-Jacot Titanium 150-piece limited edition. A perfect blend of technical sophistication and contemporary attributes, this exclusive timepiece beats to the super-fast rhythm imparted by an in-house ‘engine’ whose legendary name and impressive chronometric performance went down in history in 1969: El Primero Calibre 4810. Faithfully reflecting its illustrious lineage reputed for peerless precision, this hand-wound movement chronometer-certified by the COSC beats at the extremely swift cadence of 36,000 vibrations per hour. In addition, this compendium of horological expertise bearing the Zenith signature also features a spectacular fusée and chain transmission system linked to the barrel and guaranteeing constant force, while its resolutely modern exterior showcases an aesthetic approach firmly geared towards the future of the brand. 

THE TIRELESS QUEST FOR HOROLOGICAL EXCELLENCE

While the Manufacture already holds a number of records, including more than 300 patents, over 600 movement variations and 2,333 chronometry prizes (an absolute record), it continues to surpass itself in the demanding field of precision. The Academy Georges Favre-Jacot Titanium, combining mechanical feats with sleek, opulent lines, is a vibrant expression of this tireless quest. Its high-frequency mechanism is housed in an imposing 45 mm-diameter brushed titanium case. Reflecting its distinctively contemporary character, the functions of hand-wound El Primero Calibre 4810 – central hours and minutes, small seconds and power-reserve – are displayed on a slate grey dial featuring gold hands sweeping over luminescent black facetted hour-markers. The cut-out in the upper part of the brushed dial reveals the fusée and chain transmission system, with the barrel appearing between 10 and 11 o’clock, while the fusée around which the chain progressively wraps is displayed between 1 and 2 o’clock.  Secured to the mainplate by blued screws, two structured bridges bear the staff of the fusée and that of the barrel. The 50-hour power reserve is shown between 4 and 5 o’clock by a bright red hand, along with the inscriptions “Force constante”, “Bas” and “Haut” (respectively referring to constant force and to “Low” and “High” levels of the remaining power reserve). The small seconds counter, positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock and featuring a snailed motif that echoes the minute circle around the inner bezel ring, bears the logo of the Manufacture with the guiding star. 

Setting the perfect final touch, the transparent back of the case water-resistant to 100 metres provides a chance to admire a “carbon fibre-type” décor creating a striking contrast with the finely brushed wheels and escapement bridge, while emphasising the technical and modern nature of this exceptional model. The inscription “Chronometer” engraved on the openworked mainplate testifies to the precision – certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) – of the El Primero 4810 movement combining high frequency with a fusée and chain transmission linked to the barrel. The perfectly balanced proportions of this exclusive new model are complemented by a rubber-lined black hornback alligator leather strap, firmly secured to the wrist by a triple-blade folding clasp.