My brother and I, we are both Zenith clients. We like the brand and it is the reason why we spend many hours at the pop-up boutique located on the Place Vendôme. We know that one day (it is expected to happen at the end of September) the boutique will close. Each opportunity is good to visit it... and we got a fantastic one a few days ago!

Actually, we were invited to enjoy a shaving experience from an official Acqua di  Parma barber coming from Milano! To be frank, I did the same experience in Rome twice at the Acqua di Parma boutique and it was a fantastic souvenir. The big surprise for me was to meet again Giovanni at the Zenith boutique several months after our meeting in Rome!

The boutique lay-out allowed the Zenith staff to set up the chair and all the instruments in the clear space on the left side of the boutique, close to the VIP room and which was already featuring a sink (if I remember well!). Or maybe they also set up the sink? Anyway, my brother and I we had the feeling to enter a true Acqua di Parma barber parlour!

The experience with the barber lasts at least 30 minutes. It seems very long but when you understand that there are so many steps in the shaving process, you are not surprised at all in the end.

First you find the most comfortable position in the chair. Then the barber puts the soft towels. The face is scrubbed. Then a hot towel with Acqua di Parma  fragrance is put on the face. The barber gives a massage. Once the hair is softened, the barber uses a pre-shaving oil to smoothen the skin. Then he puts the shaving cream and shaves the beard. The barber places an after-shave balm, performs another massage. Then he vaporizes the air with the same fragrance used with the towel and to complete the process, puts a cold towel on the face... and I do love this feeling! After some additional snips and massage, the skin cares were over!

You feel so relaxed when you need to get up from the chair than you almost have problems to do it... like when you need to get out from the bed after a very short night!

Giovanni is a true artist. I hope to meet him or one of his colleagues in Rome during this summer!

But despite this very nice and fascinating experience, I didn't forget that we were inside the Zenith boutique... and that some 2018 novelties were already available.

So while my brother was seating on Giovanni's chair, I took the opportunity to take a few pics.

Let's browse them!

I am very seduced by the Zenith Defy with the skeletonized movement and open dial. Of course, we can feel the Defy lab influence in the dial pattern and the ability to see the movement dial side. I'm not a fan of the solid dial version but this one is really appealing. I consider it as a very clever way to enter Zenith's world even if it is not an El Primero movement.

The Elite movement also powers the Pilot Type 20 Extra Special. The 40mm case of this version makes it very easy to wear and the watch, despite its militar atmosphere is refined and... quite elegant! The bronze case is an interesting idea and the dial finishes offer superb shades of light.

The green prototype of the Defy Lab was also available. This watch comes from another planet. It is not only the aeronith which gives this feeling. It is obviously the oscillator behaviour which offers an unique show with an incredible behaviour. The full watch seems to vibrate due to the high frequency of this "all in one" regulating organ.

My brother on the barber's chair:

Before the experience:

The Acqua di Parma set up:

The right wristshot in the right context:

Big concentration:

Another skin massage:

Let's relax!

One of the Symbols of Rome and more globally of Italy even if this one is registered in Milano!

The last snips to get a perfect result:

I couldn't escape from my fate!

The pre-shaving cream is on my hair:

Giovanni starts to shave me:

And the outcome was perfect with a very smooth skin! I'm wearing on the picture the Defy 21 of my brother.

I imagine that you don't see very often such set up in a watches boutique!

The last picture with the Zenith star! By the way, I can't wait to discover the final version of the Defy Lab which will be available to a broader customer base:

I would like to thank a lot Giovanni for his skills, the Zenith team for the invitation and the boutique staff for the warm welcome! My brother and I will never forget this experience!

Fx