ZENITH | ELITE ULTRA THIN

ZENITH

An Ultra-Thin, High-Precision Watch Honoring Tradition

Zenith declares a revival of its traditional style. At Baselworld, the brand unveiled new creations that inherit and evolve its past legacy, and even now, post-Baselworld, it continues to demonstrate an ambitious approach to development.

By Yasuto Shibuya

Elite Ultra Thin

While unfortunately not widely known, overshadowed by the fame of the "El Primero" born in 1969, Zenith's greatest strengths lie in...chronographs...and high-precision standard watches, exemplified by models equipped with the legendary Caliber 135, which garnered numerous accolades in chronometer competitions.

This "Elite Ultra Thin" is an ultra-thin, high-precision watch that embodies this tradition in both its mechanism and style. The ultra-thin "Elite 681" movement, measuring just 3.81mm in thickness, beats at a high frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, and the case itself is only 7.6mm thick. Furthermore, design elements such as the case with delicate lugs, the sunray-finished dial with applied indices, and the domed crystal, all echo the traditional style of the "Elite" models of yesteryear.

This is a model that we wholeheartedly recommend for discerning gentlemen, as a piece that retains its value eternally and is worthy of cherished ownership.

Automatic, rose gold, alligator strap, 40mm case diameter, ¥913,500.

BRAND HISTORY
Zenith is an exceptionally rare brand in the watchmaking world, handling all processes from movement production to watch assembly within a completely integrated in-house system.

Its predecessor was Manufacture d'Horlogerie SA, founded in 1865 by Georges Favre-Jacot. The company manufactured high-quality, cost-effective movements and, in 1900, developed a groundbreaking pocket watch movement with a crown-winding mechanism.

Watches equipped with this movement were named "ZENITH," meaning "the highest point" in Esperanto, and won a gold medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle. The name was subsequently adopted as the company name, and the company was renamed Fabriques des Montres Zenith SA.

In the 1940s, Zenith developed the Caliber 135, still renowned today as a masterpiece, for submission to the Neuchâtel Observatory's precision competitions in Switzerland. After setting a new record for high precision at the 1945 competition, the company went on to announce its first automatic movement in 1948. At that time, Zenith's technical prowess had reached one of the highest levels in Switzerland.

Then, in 1969, Zenith developed the "El Primero," a masterpiece movement that catapulted the brand's name to global fame. This automatic chronograph movement, boasting the world's fastest beat rate of 36,000 vibrations per hour, remains a long-selling flagship movement for the company to this day.

In 1999, Zenith joined the LVMH Group, leading to an overall enhancement in the quality of its product lineup. The influence of Thierry Nataf, who became the new CEO, was particularly significant, and his astute leadership profoundly altered Zenith's subsequent trajectory.

In 2003, the brand launched the mega-hit "Open." Subsequently, in 2006, it introduced the "Defy" sports collection to the market, successfully establishing a new image for Zenith that showcased not only its mechanical prowess but also its design flair. Zenith's creations, possessing both talent and beauty, are now experiencing rapid development and soaring success.

Founded: 1865
Place of Founding: Le Locle, Switzerland
Main Series Names: Chronomaster, Class, Port Royal, Defy
Inquiries: LVMH Watch & Jewelry Japan Zenith 03-3263-9620
Official Website: http://www.zenith-watches.com/