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Round-UpZenith: 10 Facts About The Iconic Brand That Will Leave You Awestruck

Zenith has a legacy that'll put many brands to shame, due to its early inception, but there are several lesser-known facts about the manufacturer that are very interesting to know.

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‘Feet on the ground and head in the stars,’ are words Zenith uses to describe their outlook. It sounds like something right out of a fairy-tale, but the fantasy picture painted here definitely defines every Zenith timepiece. One of the very few Swiss brands to successfully celebrate a sesquicentennial anniversary, Zenith is the epitome of horological métiers since 1865. But even in 152 years, there are things about the brand that are lesser known, and hidden under the garb of modesty. We at The Watch Guide are honoured to acquaint you better with Zenith, with these 10 facts.

1. It is the most decorated Swiss watch brand

Yes, Zenith holds an all-time record of 2,333 timekeeping precision awards. To achieve such a feat, the brand started its winning streak while quite young. Zenith won its first award for precision in watchmaking in 1902. ‘These awards reward the level of excellence shared by the 80 métiers that come together to manufacture a Zenith watch’

Lauded with 2,333 timekeeping precision awards, Zenith is the most decorated Swiss watch brand. The company won its first award in as early as 1902.

2.Georges Favre-Jacot dove head-first into watchmaking at the young age of nine

Legends start young, and this one was no different. Georges Favre-Jacot may have founded Zenith when he was 22 years old, but the making of the brand was underway long before that. Favre-Jacot dropped out of formal education and chose a career that entailed the understanding and finer nuances of watch manufacturing when he was just nine years old.

Georges Favre-Jacot was a watch wizard who started off when he was just nine! The Swiss school drop-out then went on to establish Zenith when he turned 22.

 3. Even Gandhi possessed a Zenith watch

The man popular for his disdain of materialistic possessions could not resist a sterling silver Zenith watch. A gift from Indira Nehru, the pocket watch was stolen, but found its way back to the lawful owner after the perpetrator was overwhelmed with remorse. It was one of his only treasured belongings through his abstinent life, and it was put to good use. The watch’s alarm function would remind him of his prayer schedule.

Zenith and India have a connection like no other. The Father Of Our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was gifted a Zenith pocket watch by Indira Nehru and it soon established itself as one of his prized possessions.

Interesting trivia: The pocket watch ‘subsequently came into the hands of private collectors’. But as luck would have it, an Indian billionaire in 2009, for the love of Gandhi, spent a massive $1.8 million to bring his chattels back to India.

4. Zenith launched the first automatic chronograph watch in 1969

With many breakthroughs under their belt, the biggest has to be the Swiss brand’s innovation of the first automatic chronograph watch. The year 1969 was one of many firsts, but two shone most in the limelight – man’s landing on the moon and Zenith’s chronograph presentation, the El Primero. Developed years ago, the watch is still recognised for its accurate movement in the history of horology.

In 1969, two big events completely swiped everyone’s attention and the spotlight. The first was man’s astonishing landing on the moon, and the second, Zenith’s revolutionary chronograph innovation – the El Primero.

5. Zenith entered into a legendary collaboration with the iconic Range Rover

Two legends graced the world with their presence, coincidentally in the same year – 1969. The first luxury off-road vehicle, the Range Rover, and the illustrious Zenith El Primero share more than just the year of their origin. To commemorate the collaboration between the Swiss and British legendary brands, Zenith launched the El Primero Range Rover Special Edition.

Zenith and the first luxury off-road automobile share not just the year of their origin, but also a rich legacy. To commemorate this association, Zenith launched the El Primero Range Rover Special Edition.

6. Among its accomplishments was the sensational space feat of the Zenith Stratos Flyback Striking 10th

Zenith associates itself with nothing ordinary, add another to that list of extraordinary adventures. On October 14, 2012, when skydiver, Felix Baumgartner decided to do the unimaginable – break the speed of sound – the Austrian trusted only one watch, and it had to be the Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Striking 10th. In a mind-blowing free fall from the edge of space, Zenith was the official partner of the exhilarating Red Bull Stratos mission that set and broke many records and joined the list of few treasured ‘space’ watches.

Zenith’s tryst with adventure landed the brand in the prestigious bracket of ‘space watches’. Having accompanied skydiver, Felix Baumgartner to the edge of space, the Zenith Stratos Flyback Striking 10th officially made it as the fastest watch in the world.

While we have to laud Baumgartner’s spirit and strength, the Zenith watch garnered its fair share of recognition. The El Primero Flyback ‘was still working perfectly upon arrival after being subjected to massive differences in pressure, temperature, altitude and acceleration’. The mission has officially made it the fastest watch in the world.

7. It was the first brand to manufacture its own ‘in-house’ movement

When a brand starts young, you know it’s going to take mighty strides in the direction of innovation. Considering Georges Favre-Jacot honed all the technicalities of watchmaking for over a decade before he introduced Zenith to the world, he is the first man to bring ‘in-house production’ under one roof. The visionary propelled the compilation of a watch from start to finish – foundry, rolling mills, case and dial – long before other brands could even acquaint themselves with the concept of vertical integration.

Zenith has set various benchmarks in the Swiss watchmaking world. But one that truly stood out is Georges Favre-Jacot’s visionary effort and success to bring in the concept of ‘in-house production’ under one roof.

 

8. Zenith has transcended boundaries and terrains with utmost grit

In accordance with the philosophy and love for extreme adventure, Zenith added another feather in its cap. Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian explorer, was the first person to take on the uncharted landscape of the North and South Poles in the early 20th century. There are no points for guessing his choice of a wristwatch. It was a sturdy Zenith timepiece.

The first man to tread the South pole, Roald Amundsen, relied on his constant companion thoroughly, a Zenith timepiece. A century late, Zenith sponsored Johan Ernst Nilson, a Swedish explorer who travelled between the North and South Poles, under the Zenith Pole2Pole project between 2009 and 2012.

9. Zenith doesn’t claim to produce perfection without their own rigid stamp of approval

The brand is so confident about the dependability of their watches that they are put through gruelling tests. One such daring tests involved the El Primero being strapped to the landing gear of a Boeing 707. The flight took off from Paris and the watch was unscathed upon landing in New York, despite the enormous jerks, fluctuation, and jolts that landing gear is subjected to.

Zenith believes in delivering nothing but the best. Living up to such standards entails gruelling tests. One such daring tests involved the El Primero being strapped to the landing gear of a Boeing 707 and the watch was unscathed despite the jerks and fluctuations.

10. Zenith is the master of ‘Pilot’ watches

There’s a reason why even the best Swiss aviation watchmakers – such as Breitling, Bell & Ross, or Oris – cannot market their watches under the name, ‘Pilot’. That’s because of the pioneer in this segment called Zenith. The ‘Pilot’ watch tag belongs to Zenith. Having trademarked the ‘Pilot’ name, only Zenith can market their aviation timepieces as ‘Pilot’ watches, blocking out all the other major players.

Zenith is a pioneer in the ‘Pilot’ watch segment. The ‘Pilot’ watch tag belongs to Zenith. which means only Zenith can market their aviation timepieces as ‘Pilot’ watches, blocking out all the other major players.

Discover Zenith’s Pilot watches here. Click here for Zenith’s entire collection available at Ethos Watch Boutiques.

 

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