Baselworld this year marked a very special highlight for us PuristS, the first real-life presentation of our
15th Anniversary Watch by Zenith. More than a dozen PuristS pilgrimaged to Basel on invitation of
Zenith's CEO Jean-Claude Biver to join the festivities - and accept the first watches directly from his hands!
It was on the evening of 25 March 2017, when I felt my nervousness growing by the minute. The Great Moment, aka '
presentation of PuristSPro's 15th Anniversary Watch' was about to commence momentarily, PuristS had asked me to give the opening speech (first, I don't like to be on stage, second, I knew everyone was waiting for
the man anyhow... I think you get this part!), a few PuristS were denied entrance by the BaselWorld vigilantes ('no entry for visitors after 18:00!'), which was solved thanks to the Zenith team, and I was still a bit uptight from some last minute near accidents with the watch...
Anyhow, PuristS are a friendly, civilised crowd, and thus I survived...
Zenith, as expected, proved to be an impeccable host, and reserved the majority of its luxurious lounge for us PuristS, complementary snacks and champagne in abundance. That alone helped to fill the time until Jean-Claude Biver finally arrived, a man who cannot cross the Basel corridors without being stopped by countless journalists, watch collectors and
self-made selfie-addicted folks.
But all was forgotten, JCB arrived, and the
real stuff started...
I reiterated the gestation of the watch, and in particular the importance it has for us PuristS, the chance to work together with a major, internationally acclaimed watch manufacturer on a bespoke watch that would express our desire
to seek perfection in an imperfect world: a watch with historical roots, the famous El Primero movement, our technical (COSC certification, silicon escapement, monochrome movement finish) as well as aesthetic ('Cronometro' inscription, special straps) customisations.
I made it roughly safe through my intervention, last but not least thanks to the support and souffleuse-acts of those friendly guys in the audience... (thanks for the reminder on our charity, guys!!!)!
Applause, applause, thanks a lot... ;-)
Now came what all were waiting for... enter Jean-Claude Biver!
In his archetypical energising fashion, JCB gave a lively account for the passion and dedication that went into this project.
The PuristSPro 15th Anniversary Watch by Zenith is the labour of love of all parties involved, and one could sense the proudness not only of JCB, but also of the entire Zenith team (see at the end of the report) which was deeply involved in this project - all of them took the time to attend the event (which, given the busy and stressful BaselWorld time, means a lot to me!)!
If there was one regret voiced by Mr Biver than this concerned the stict limitation - he openly confessed that we should have done more (
'you must be crazy to limit such a wonderful watch to only 50 pieces' - from previous discussions with him I knew that comment would be coming...).
I mentioned my obliviousness in respect to the PPro-15 charity already. Mr Biver picked it up, and asked if he could voice a prefer in this matter: he would love to see the 50th watch auctioned off for the benefit of underprivileged children.
PuristSPro's CEO Melvyn Teillol-Foo
'Executive decision: set!'
So, happiness and relaxation throughout...
What followed now was one of the most aptly staged approximations of a christmas moment for us, at least for those who indicated their desire to accept delivery of the watches directly during the event: In a separate room, delicously black boxes whetted our appetite....
Quickly, boxes turned into mere carcasses...
.... anticipation....
... finally - let's take a look:
As a real surprise for us and a nice gesture (in addition to being a testament to the affection of the Zenith team to our join project), Zenith upgraded the watch with a de luxe black box, with a separate compartment below for the additional strap and the strap-changing tool.
Our 15th anniversary watch, based on the famous Cronometro Tipo CP-2 in all its glory, with the 'Chronometro' inscription as well as the super-supple canvas strap (you'll see images with the nubuck leather strap further below).
One the back, our fantastically customised El Primero Cal. 4069, with a monochrome finish, a silcon escapement module and of course the COSC certification. This is a truly unique movement, with all its features not existent in any other Zenith watch (or any other watch driven by an El Primero at all...) I knew it would be beautiful, but I was not prepared for the effect it had on me later, back at home in a more private movement...
As PuristS, we consider each other equal - thus all watches carry the
'1 of 50' engraving!
Now just look at all those happy faces...
Stephan (HSTE)...
Michael (micha_hofstra):
Arie (Arie):
Dean (cool runnings):
David (christianch; left) plus his brother Stefano (right):
This gentleman went out of his way to grab this piece to the extent that he could only afford to keep is oldest worn-out jacket, which he proudly sported that evening: the ever dedicated Andrew (andrewluff). Rumour has it he even walked over from the island:
No comments about this person...
Nothing beats François' (foversta) genuine smile once he's gotten hold of his latest piece...
And hey, Melvyn (MTF), with his most convincing salesman pose... ;-)
Can you imagine a happier bunch of watch nerds?
With the offical part over, each newborn owner took possession in his own personal way, in calm contemplation...
... or already further customising it with the second, supplied strap:
... after setting the time...
... fastening the buckle...
... yes, also the nubuck strap is wonderful!
Contrast...
... or subtle shades of colour hues, this watch always finds its place!
Frightening so ;-)!
So, a successful project finely completed with an event to remember!
The entire project was made possbile by a sensible involvement and ownership on all sides, driven by the
passion on the side of us PuristS as well as the
dedication and commitment by the Zenith teams. Thus, last but not least, I would like to thank a great number of people:
First of all,
to all the PuristS here who constitute our community. It is not always easy to let passion rule over commerce, to allow the 'anarchic' (I mean this in a very, very positive way, as an expression of freedom) exchange of thoughts and knowledge reign supreme over a tightly controlled but shiny 'editorials'. Without exactly this spirit, this would not have been possible.
Very special thanks are due to the
PPro-15 team, who fiercly fought for the final watch. You were a stubborn bunch of people who I have the pleasure ot call my friends.
Bill, Blomman, Damjan, François, MichaelC, Nico, but above all
Andrew: I very fondly remember our virtual but nonetheless vivid fights about the details.
At Zenith, I'd like to thank:
Romain Marrietta, Head Product Development (thanks for your last minute magic!);
Nicolas Meda, International Sales Director (who even met with PPro's Bill Nash in LA to devise productive delivery options);
Fabiana Chiacchio,
International Press Relations (without her we would no have had this excellence press/social media outreach), Zenith's
Nathalie Choulet and
Anne-Flore Lochet for expediting the deliveries/shipments, all of which who together made the project a watchmaking, commercial as well as PR success), and finally Zenith's former CEO
Aldo Magada and of course
Jean-Claude Biver, who believed in PuristSPro as well as in the watch, and who spearheaded to project until its timely completion at BaselWorld.
Finally, I'd like to thank
Oliver (small-luxury-world) and
Stephan (HSTE) for providing me with the wonderful images of this memorable evening!
Thanks you all, and enjoy the watch!
Cheers,
Magnus
_______________
P.S.: Jean-Claude Biver could not get his hands off the PPro-15 Zeniths, and thus the boxes look like this now:
