Zenith

Last month, Zenith had a tea media event in Singapore at the new Fullerton Bay Hotel.   Mr Jean-Frédéric Dufour, President and CEO of Zenith was in town to meet and touched base with the press members with Ms Vivian Lee, Zenith Brand Manager - Singapore and Malaysia, and Ms Cyndy Lim, General Manager of LVMH Watch & Jewellery, Singapore & Malaysia.

Some pieces of this year models were showcased and the biggest treat was the piece on Mr Dufour's wrist, the new ZENITH Christophe Colomb.

(For more details of ZENITH Christophe Colomb, please refer to the press release by clicking here  )
                         



Afternoon media tea session.  Showcases of the watches were arranged neatly for viewing.


Mr Jean-Frédéric Dufour, President and CEO of Zenith gave a short presentation of Zenith heritage and  capabilities, and then introduced the 2010 collections.


After his presentation, while mingling with rest of the press members, he let all who present to have a closer look at the the new 45mm ZENITH Christophe Colum.


Regardless which position the watch was in, the escapement always horizontal due to gyroscopic system.

A video should illustrate it better .....







2 pieces of solid thick sapphire crystals being lapped down to the above unique shape.


Initial thought was the sapphire dome, may prevent the Colomb from seating on the wrist properly.


Upon wearing, it fits snugly and comfortably. 








After the tea event, was the dinner for Zenith's retail partners and customers at the same beautiful venue.



The dinner venue (marked by the orange arrow), The Clifford at Fullerton Bay View Hotel, in the midst of the Central Business District and facing the prominent Marina Bay Sands.





Some quick shots of the pieces showcased ...






El Primero Chronomaster Star Open Love


Elite Captain Central Second


El Primero Striking 10th RG


El Primero Captain


El Primero 36,000 VpH


Elite Ultra Thin



Dinner set up ...







Dinner menu


Cocktail session before dinner outside the restaurant ...



Dinner to be served ...



A surprise guest - Mr Alain Robert aka The French Spiderman!
He is one of Zenith's new ambassadors. 


Entree served ....




Mr Jean-Frédéric Dufour, President and CEO of Zenith greeted the guests and introduced Zenith.


He reminded the strong heritage of Zenith. A leader in Chronometry with 2,333 chronometry awards from 1903 to 1968.  Of that total, 1,447 were first prizes.

Explained the focus will be focusing back to classic design and would engage ambassadors who live by the code of perseverance and has inner strength.

Mr Dufour reiterated without the perseverance and courage of a watchmaker, Mr Charles Vermot, El Primero would have ceased existence in 1975.  During the quartz era, the management at that time, had ordered all the production tools and machines to be scrapped.  But Mr Charles Vermot, at the risk of his job, hid the essential tools and components which till today are used for the El Primero production.

Not sure what sort conviction Mr Vermot has at that moment, but El Primero's survival is definitely the credit of this gentleman.

If I'm not wrong, the 150 to 200 toolings saved could cost about CHF7 Million in early 1980!  Extrapolate with time value of money, will be a huge sum today to invest in the toolings.


Roll the film of the Zenith Manufacture ...


showing the capabilities of the manufacture ....







Next Mr Dufour introduced the ZENITH Christophe Colum.

After showing the video, he passed ZENITH Christophe Colum on his wrist around for the guests to view.


Soup served ...


ZENITH Christophe Colum reached the hands of avid collectors ...


Causing a stir at one of the tables ...


Next Mr Dufour introduced the infamous French Spiderman - Mr Alain Robert.
He is one of Zenith's new ambassadors and was in Singapore to scale the  the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, the Singapore Flyer, measuring 165 meters the next day.

More details of the climb here.  


Welcoming the new Ambassador...


When asked his estimated time to reach the top of the Singapore Flyer.... Alain replied, taking into consideration of the rain, he may finished in 45minutes.


The guests clapped to cheer him ...


Ms Cyndy Lim, General Manager of LVMH Watch & Jewellery, Singapore & Malaysia.


A toast to Alain for his best performance for the next day climb ...


Spotting his El Primero Striking 10th.

The actual timing on 5 November, Alain completed in just 35 minutes! 


Main course ...


Another 'main course' 

















A lady trying ....


Wrist-shots, please, Madame ...


Fit her snugly, and she also feedback, the bulge sapphire dome did not cause any discomfort!





Thanks!!


Now for the El Primero Rose Gold Striking 10th


Nice!


More Zenith models were shown to the guests ...




Dessert served ...


A fan catching up with the Spiderman ...



Mr Dufour went round with Ms Cyndy Lim to chat with the guests  ....



Thanks Zenith for the invite.


Kong





- More pictures of watches in the following post, please click here .

- For the Malaysia Dec 2010 event coverage by K T , please click here .








Repaired links. This message has been edited by Kong on 2011-01-02 19:30:42

El Primero Retrotimer 42mm

Black PVD stainless steel case with rubber straps.











El Primero Retrotimer 42mm


Another variation with silver sunray dial and bracelet.










El Primero New Vintage 1969 Lady

Not sure why it is classified for Lady.  Guys can wear it too!
















El Primero 36,000 VpH

42mm steel case with black sunray dial paired with rubber straps.

This model has a limited edition of 1975 pieces, a tribute to the saviour of El Primero, Mr Charles Vermot with a blue dial signifying 'HOPE'.
The significance of  '1975' is the year the toolings was ordered to be scrapped but saved by Mr Vermot.






Another variation in rose gold case.





The minute and hour hands and the hour indexes are coated with SuperLuminova .





El Primero Captain


42mm in diameter, very similar to the Model El Primero 36000VpH, the rectangular push-buttons differentiate it.










El Primero Rattrapante

44mm stainless steel case Split Second.











El Primero Striking 10th

One of the most interesting pieces.  It is accurate and display to 1/10th of a second.

This piece is of 42mm pink gold.


The blue chrono-hand is for display 1/10 of a second.

Sub-dial at 6H is 60-minute counter and 3H is a 60-second counter.

Small second is at subdial 9H.














A video of the fast 1/10 Second Hand ...








Elite Captain Central Second

40mm diameter Rose Gold.





The steel case version.




El Primero Chronomaster Star Open Love


37.5mm steel case with MOP dial and diamonds.





Elite Ultra Thin

Available in RG, WG and steel.  Case diameter is 40mm and the thickness is 7.6mm.


A comparison with the case of a El Primero 36000 VpH model ....



Elegantly finished case with alternate brushed and polished finishing to create interesting contrast.


A variation rose gold case with diamond-hour-markers.


Steel case with Black dial.


Steel case with diamond-hour-markers.

I really like this set of watches......

J

positive with the design back to more classic look.

I like them too

Thanks for viewing.

Kong

Spectacular watch!!!

Which variation you like more?  The black carbo dial or silver dial?

Thanks for viewing, Marcelo.

Kong

It glows!

Thanks for the reply, Kong

with the silver dial.  The transfer carbon fibre is not as nice as the 'real carbon fibre' like our ABR though.

Kong

Very nice report of and interesting event with very nice watches.

Where does Zenith find these brand ambassadors, each more obscure than the last?

Here is a Vermot 36000VPH for your amusement - just came this month....I am very satisfied with it.

Salute to that Gentleman watchmaker!

How does the view from the caseback looks like? 

Ha!  The ambassador or potential ones will likely to be those who have great endurance and perseverance in their own field.

Kong

Kong ,,,,,,,,,,,,,I Love the design of the New Elite watches ,,,,,,,,,but really,,,,,,,,,  the size of the  Crowns on these models seem to be something to worry about..............they seem to be ergonomically tooooo small.....Please note that I am extremely fond of the Zenith manufacture,,,,,,but I'm just trying to imagine winding this elite model..........take care     Mark

Hi Mark

The total thickness of Elite Ultran Thin is 7.60mm.  That's the reason for a small diameter crown, I guessed its about 4.5mm.

For winding it is no issue.  As the movement is auto Elite 681, just a quick twenty to thirty turns will give it sufficient power and then let the auto mechanism takes over.




Thanks for viewing.

Just seen some 2011 Collections, uploading next few days.

Kong

. . . (ze ' nith or, esp Brit., zen ' ith), n. 1. the point on the celestial sphere vertically above a given position or observer. Cf. nadir. 2. highest point or state; culmination.

Thank you, Kong, for sharing the event with M. Dufour. It should be apparent that Zenith is sparing no effort at regenerating their image . . . the exuberant designs of recent years have given way to more circumspect offerings that will appeal to a wider audience. After reviewing the photos, there was not one that couldn't find it's way to my wrist, at least as far as aesthetics are concerned. The photo showing an El Primero Striking Tenth on a lady's slender wrist is telling - for a nominally large watch, it does not seem at all out of place.

It was a pleasure to meet M. Dufour briefly last month, and hopefully we'll get another chance in the near future . . . cordially, Art

It was easier to see male wristshots

Glad that I was nearby when she was trying the two key pieces at 42mm and 45mm.  Both sat very well on her wrist, indeed as you said 'telling'.
The pieces are definitely look good on ladies too.

M. Dufour, he is here often, next week in Malaysia.  Not surprise you would be meeting him soon

Kong

Thks Kong fr the coverage.

Also like the one with meaning behind, the tribute piece to Charles Vermot , the 36,000Vph with blue dial.

Thanks for viewing

Kong

I like the new style direction of Zenith.

Fr.Xavier

Thanks for viewing.

Happy Holidays

Kong

but I didn't know you by look, so didn't say hi.

Thanks for the report, esp the very well taken photos.

 

We will have opportunity to catch up.

Thanks for the kind words.

Kong

Nice pics as always kong.

Cheers

PAt

you wouldn't feel it.  Also the large size of the watch (45mm) helps.  Probably would feel it if it's a 40mm. 

unable to take a close up wristshot to show, as do not have the correct lens on that day.

Thanks for viewing PAt.

Kong

DRMW has posted an interview with Jean Frederic Dufour (click here to read it).

Daos shared her thoughts on the collection which you can see here .

And of course my amateur observations of the Zenith Christoph Colomb Tourbillon here  and also of most of the collection here .

- SJX

As well as the 3 sub dial chronographs

Firstly, Thank you very much for sharing this exciting forum.
I wish the event like this will take place in Thailand because we have so many Zenith's admirers.
I support this current CEO because the former one, Thierry Nataf, took Zenith to the WRONG direction.
Zenith is about El Premiro and Elite movement with a touch of modern invention and style.
Nataf led Zenith to the fashion and flamboyant style which I personally dislikes it very much.
Mr. Dufour brings Zenith back to its glorious fame. Salute!
Next time come to Thailand please.
From Mr.Ekachai

Hi Mr Ekachai

Thanks for the viewing the post and the kind words.

I believe Zenith would have read your inputs.

Happy Holidays.

Kong

For the detailed report and the pics.

I was a fan of most of the Nataf designs but he also did a lot in terms of horology for Zenith as an engineer, all those great multi-complication movements. There was a lot of diversity, something for everyone, and what I liked is that those watches looked like nothing else out there. What seems to have impressed most, unfortunately, were the extravagant designs. Many other brands offer controversial designs along side their classic watches but only Zenith got flack for that. In any event, with Dufour, fans of classic designs got their wish. Personally I still have to warm up to the new mainstream designs.

The Zero-G escapement is a horological marvel in my view, unappreciated when it came out, due to, again, the designs in which Nataf put that movement. The Striking 10th is a great idea. I do like the the Vermot watch, and as a Zenith fan I feel the obligation to honor the man by owning that watch. Hopefully one day I will be able to.

I'm definetly looking forward to future releases by Zenith.

for your comments.

These current revamped design could be also still due to Nataf, as design pipeline should be about 2 to 3 years ahead.
And for Vermot, he is someone should be honoured.  Without him, El Primero has extincted.

Happy Holidays.

Kong