ZENITH, the Swiss luxury watchmaker renowned for its pioneering spirit, marks its 160th anniversary with a celebration and a reaffirmation of its bold vision for the future of watchmaking. Titled “160 Years Written in the Stars”, this milestone isn’t merely about longevity. It’s about legacy, precision, and a relentless pursuit of perfection.
From the Jura Mountains to Global Acclaim
It all began in 1865 in Le Locle, Switzerland, when Georges Favre-Jacot, just 22, founded a revolutionary watchmaking manufacturer. Favre-Jacot envisioned something radical in an era still reliant on fragmented production: a single roof under which artisans and engineers worked side by side, combining craftsmanship and technology to create timepieces of unrivalled precision. ZENITH didn’t just assemble watches, it redefined how they were made.
A Name Inspired by the Stars
The name ZENITH itself captures the Maison’s relentless quest for excellence. Over the decades, this ethos would lead to an astonishing 2,333 chronometry prizes, solidifying ZENITH as the most-awarded brand in watchmaking history.
Breaking Records and Making Legends
From powering Neuchâtel Observatory’s precision clocks to launching the El Primero, the world’s first high-frequency automatic chronograph in 1969, ZENITH has consistently shaped horological history. The El Primero movement, capable of measuring time to 1/10th of a second, set new standards and was later adopted by Rolex for the Daytona. Even in the face of crisis, ZENITH’s spirit endured. During the quartz revolution of the 1970s, watchmaker Charles Vermot heroically saved the El Primero tooling from destruction, ensuring the legacy would not be lost.
A Manufacture Like No Other
Today, ZENITH remains one of the few true manufacturers. Its workshops bring together over 60 specialised crafts under one roof, from watchmaking and metallurgy to digital innovation. ZENITH’s archives stretch over a kilometre long. Its tools and blueprints, carefully preserved, are a testament to its commitment to both heritage and the future.
A Timepiece for the Future
To commemorate its 160th anniversary, ZENITH introduces the G.F.J. watch, a tribute to its founder and the legendary calibre 135-O. Regulated by award-winning chronometrists Charles Fleck and René Gygax, this movement won five consecutive first prizes at the Neuchâtel Observatory from 1950 to 1954, an unmatched feat to this day.
Looking Ahead
With a history rooted in resilience and innovation, ZENITH’s future looks just as bright as the stars that inspired its name.
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