Hands-on with the Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Georges Favre-Jacot

Artistically speaking, the new Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Georges Favre-Jacot is the most elaborate of all four of Zenith's 'Autumn novelties'. All their craftsmanship is used to celebrate the core of the Zenith manufacture, its founder Georges Favre-Jacot and the main factory building which introduced the concept of an integrated manufacture to the watchmaking industry.

This watch face looks familiar to you - doesn't it? Save for the case material (white gold instread of red) it is identical to the Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage. I will refrain from describing the dial details as well as all the technical intricacies of this watch - I did so comprehensively when the line was introduced two years ago. My article here on PPro can be found with this link .

What matters to us here in the context of this year's 150th anniversary of Zenith is all found on the back:

The Hurricane Georges Favre-Jacot is an homage to a watchmaking philosophy introduced by Zenith's founder and perpetuated until today by Zenith. Thus, the first artifact of importance is an engraving of the portrait of Georges Favre-Jacot, founder of the brand:

Mr Favre-Jacot was not only a watchmaker of excellence and an accomplished buisnessman, he was also an innovator. Inspired by the concept of the Ford car production in the US, Favre-Jacot laid the foundation of the modern integrated manufacture we know and appreciate today by unifying all steps necessary to create a watch under a single roof.

Before Favre-Jacot, different work stages were performed in dedicated workshops distributed over a town, and sometimes even across several villages.

Thus, I particularly like the homage Zenith paid to this pace-setting step that would change conceptually the way watches would be made. The building is an icon not only to Zenith, but to the entire Swiss watch industry.

The building still exists today in a newly refurbished beauty. Moreover, even today it houses the core of Zenith's watch production (you may want to see a report Ello and I wrote about a recent PuristSPro visit; click here ).

Several details typical for late 18th-century factory architecture are masterfully repoduced in the watch as well, e.g. the Zenith inscription alternating with red bricks...

... or these metall fittings used to stabilise walls:

Finally, there is homage to the watchmaker himself:

The detailling is breathtaking - just note his loupe, the tools, the lamp and the files in the cupboard. Even the pens in his waistcoat pocket are carefully carved out!

On the wrist this is a timepiece which lets no doubts about the technical and aesthetical ambition of Zenith.

It is a watch to be best appreciated in a private moment - because otherwise all these details are overlooked.

As I wrote on my review of the first Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane, "...there is a magical balance and harmony amongst all the numerous elements and components that make the watch work in its entirety. All elements are given appropriate weight such as to achieve a conceptual consistency without giving undue emphasis to a single aspect."

I have little to add to this.

I believe just one aspect is worth being emphasised: The Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Georges Favre-Jacot is one of the most convincing manifestations and celebrations of watchmaking art.

First, there is of course the technical excellence (high-beat movement, gyroscopic escapement module, force constante mechanism). Second, the is all the artwork (engraving, different enamelling techniques). Third, the watch exposes three important ingredients: an ingenious watchmaker and innovative entrepreneur, the concept of the manufacture, and finally it celebrates the individual watchmaker with his (or her) expertise, skill and steady hand.

Isn't it amazing that all of this represents the essence of the brand Zenith?