Zenith

Christmas 2015 - last minute gifts for the Zenith Enthusiast - watches, books & goodies!

 

The festive season already got us up to full speed with preparations, most importantly amongst them the ever lingering question: what present shall I chose?



For watch lovers (and their spouses) there are ample options, many of them however come with an impressive price tag. Still, if your better half (or yourself) is a watch lover, with a soft spot for Zenith perhaps, then I like to present a few suggestions to put under the Christmas tree.

I shall admit that some of them require a good relationship to your Zenith AD or boutique, though...

1.) Watches you can't go wrong with:

For the ever-adventurous male version of the Zenith lover I would like to propose the Zenith Pilot Type 20 'Extra Special' in steel (Ref. 03.2430.3000/21.C738; yes that one!!!!), essentially an entry level Zenith watch with a controversial (because externally sourced) movement on the one hand, but with immensive pleasant feeling on the wrist.

The movement, a Sellita, is hidden from view anyways (like with all 'modestly sized' Type 20 watches of 45mm) so I do not think about it as much, but all these details on dial, case and back are there, and taken together I dare say that this is one of the most beautiful contemporary Zenith ever. I'd buy it for its looks only and thereby risk to refute the notion of the always important inner values. Well, I am masculine, so what...

Plus, the Sellitas are currently being outsourced (pun intended!), so this one will remain the rare outlier in Zenith's contemporary stable.

To read more, please click here !

An irresistible gift for your lady I think is the Zenith Star collection of 33mm watches, all of them powered by Zenith's Elite automatic movement. This year, Zenith has announced three fantastic specimens showcasing rare handicrafts, like the Star «Fleur Bleue» , a lovely florally decorated white gold watch with a hand-engraved and enamelled dial set with diamonds (45.1972.681/36.C757):



This is serious watchmaking and artistical excellence perfectly combined. Can you go wring with this? If you want to read more, please click here !

2.) Zenith El Primero desk clock:

For its most important collectors, Zenith chose to offer a (battery-driven!!!) desk clock designed after its milestone original 1969 El Primero watch.



This attractive clock is crafted from steel and is roughly 23cm tall. The dial is beautifully made and features the original sunburst finish. The subdials, however, are not functional. Ask your Zenith AD or boutique for the details.








3.) Zenith literature:

For those who prefer a more platonic, intellectual relationship with the brand there are now two options: (1) the excellent anthology of Zenith watches written by Manfred Rössler (Zenith: Swiss Watch Manufacture Since 1865) and (2) the historical book on Zenith recently published by Joël Duval (Zenith: The Story of a Watch Manufacture Under a Guiding Star) .



Manfred Rössler's book offers an encyclodedia of Zenith watches and movements from the beginning, focusing on the technical developments and particularities, and also presenting ample design variations of the featured watches. Thus, it is a perfect gift for a collector of Zenith watches with a special interest in the watchmaking technology created at the manufacture, including more eccentric pieces like altimeters or motion counters.







Joël Duval chose a different angle and focused on the historical context, impacting from both outside as well as from within the brand. Duval thus puts Zenith's watchmaking œvre into the perspectives of technological advancements, trends, economic & political history as well as developments within the company (e.g. directors, shareholders etc.). It is just more a fascinating narrative than a technical textbook.









A special section is devoted to the saving of the El Primero movement tools, construction drawings and parts:



 In conclusion, the book are, I think, complementary to each other and should be included in any watch library.

1. Rössler: Zenith: Swiss Watch Manufacture Since 1865, 324 pages, Damiani Editore, ISBN 978-88-6208-069-9
2. Duval: Zenith: The Story of a Watch Manufacture Under a Guiding Star, 484 pages, Albin Michel, ISBN 978-22-2625-911-0

Both books btw are fruits of private initatives of Zenith (or, at least, watchmaking) enthusiasts and have enjoyed the support of Zenith (at least the CEOs).


4.) Zenith unbrella:

More a fun gift than the others proposal is this Zenith branded umbrella. Made of black textile with a printed Zenith logo, is opens automatically and also closes, at least in part, by actuation of the knob in the handle. Just like start & stop of a monopusher chronograph... A Zenith gift of practical value for the entire family! Again, contact your AD or your Zenith boutique.

With this, I hope I could be of help... at least a bit! Happy Christmas shopping (and please remember, it is the gesture that counts, not the present ;-)!

Best,
Magnus

This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2015-12-15 06:08:51