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Zenith Watches Lays Off 70 Of 250 Employees

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces


"Bleak times" at Zenith, LVMH frowns. First they lose some employees, then they lose their CEO Mr. Nataf, and now more employees out the door. 70 to be exactly. Recently, the people at Zenith were informed of the planned layoffs as part of a planned reorganization to assist the troubled watch maker maintain through "the crisis." Zenith of course is not alone during these difficult times where watch and jewelry sales for the entire LVMH group are down about 27% from last year. Zenith didn't provide specific figures for its own annual performance, but all evidence indicates things may be worse for them.

New CEO Jean-Frederic Dufour is expected to make some radical changes, including with the core line of watches - where Nataf's design decisions have been controversial to say the least. Zenith is a proud brand with a great history so I expect that any cleverness injected into a brand revitalization will focus on historical strength and creating a classic style focused line for next year when things should be better for the brand, and the watch market overall. The pictured watch is the Zenith Class Traveler Open El Primero Multicity Alarm.

Via WorldTempus (in French).

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com


Tags: downsizing, firings, layoffs, LVMH, watch, zenith

Zenith El Primero New Vintage 1969 Chronograph Watch Collection

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces


This is my favorite new Zenith watch for 2009 and is the El Primero New Vintage 1969 collection. These watches are called "new vintage" because they are not only a "reissue" of a watch movement from another era (the first El Primero), but share the iconic styling of watches from that time period. The El Primero is a high beat movement operating at 36,0000 bph (beats per hour). This gives it the ability to have a chronograph that measures 1/10 of a second (most mechanical chronographs measure maybe 1/5 of a second). The movement is the automatic Zenith El Primero 469, with a column wheel chronograph and date, with a 50 hour power reserve.

Three versions of the lovely watch will be offered, each being really nice and worth the investment. Which is a blessing and a curse given that the collection will be offered as a limited edition and only in 2009. There is the black titanium model, stainless steel model, and 18k gold model. Each in the 40mm wide classic looking case. The black titanium model features a curious skeletonized dial with markers applied on a sapphire crystal as the dial, while the steel and gold have very cool looking overlapping subsidiary chronograph dials and an easy to read face. The whole collection with its alligator or crocodile straps and retro styled case is quite hip looking - again, one of the best Zenith watch collections this year.

Ariel Adams publishes the popular watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Zenith New Vintage 1969 watches




Tags: 1969, chronograph, el primero, ElPrimero, movement, new vintage, NewVintage, timepiece, watch, zenith

Head Of Zenith Watches Departs: Farwell Thierry Nataf

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces

Since 2001 the very flamboyant Thierry Nataf has been at the helm of Zenith watches, part of the LVMH luxury group. He has undoubtedly had a profound effect on the brand, though his 'touch' has been controversial, especially in terms of marketing and the focus on extremely niche products for what was supposed to be a more mainstream luxury brand. The recent economic downturn has effectuated in an over 25% decrease in Zenith watch sales - something no one is happy about.

The reason for Nataf's departure from the CEO position at Zenith watches is unclear, and rumors indicate that he will remain at LVMH, but in a different group (who watch brands include Tag Heuer, Hublot, Dior, and Louis Vuitton). The successor who will lead Zenith through this difficult economic period has not yet been announced. It will no doubt take sometime before the new leader's effect on the brand is observable, but I hope that LVMH is wise enough to place someone capable of reinvigorating Zenith's former glory.

Via WorldTempus (in French).

Ariel Adams publishes the popular watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.


Tags: ceo, resign, thierry nataf, ThierryNataf, watch, zenith

Zenith Class El Primero Moonphase Watch For 2009

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces


A lot of new luxury watch offerings are discernibly more subdued than the flamboyant parade of watches we have come to expect over the last few years. Zenith, who is typically very experimental in design has actually had one of the most conservative line of new models at Baselworld this year. That doesn't mean the watches are boring, but rather refreshingly elegant in their focus on being modern classics. A good example is this Zenith Class El Primero Moonphase watch. The watch features a full annual calendar with a moonphase and a chronograph. The El Primero automatic calibre 4100 movement is the only movement with an annual calendar and column wheel based chronograph complication.

Two case sizes are available at 40mm and 44mm, with the pictured version being in steel. The dial is handsomely decorated with engravings and applied hour markers. To enhance legibility, Zenith has clustered the complications toward the center of the face allowing for space around the dial to be dedicated to telling the time. With hour and minute hands that are properly sized for the watch, it offers a lot of function with minimal visual distraction. You just can't argue about its solid good looks and handsome demeanor. Look for availability this spring.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.


Tags: class, el primero, ElPrimero, moonphase, timepiece, watch, zenith

Gandhi's Pocket Watch Goes For Over 2 Million Dollars In Controversial Auction

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces, Auctions


While bidding may still taking place at Antiquroum's March 4-5 auction, the major lot has closed, the Zenith pocket watch and some accompanying items owned by Gandhi. For weeks now the Indian government was trying to halt the auction by legal means. Fearful that the relics would pass to hand away from India, they claimed that the items belonged to the people of India as a whole. While Indian officials were unable to stop the New York City based auction, thankfully for them the Gandhi watch has remained in Indian hands.

'Lot 364' closed way above the estimate price ($20-30k) at 1.8 million dollars. That price increased to $2,096,000 including the buyer's premium (an amount over the final bidding price charged to the buyer). It was by far the highest price a lot for this current auction had reached. The winning bid came from Vijay Mallya, the wealthy owner of King Fisher Beer (and Airlines) of India (is that like having a Budweiser airlines in the US?). His complete plans with the items and pocket watch are unclear. While the Gandhi relics will go on public display, it is unclear whether they will be given to the Indian government or remain in private hands.

Some content via MSN News and Anitquroum.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.


Tags: antiquorum, auction, gandhi, pocket, vijay mallya, VijayMallya, watch, zenith

Gandhi's Zenith Pocket Watch Up For Auction

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces, Auctions


Mahatma Gandhi was never known as a man of many possessions. Regardless, everyone needs a watch, Gandhi included. As part of Anitqorum's March 4-5 watch auction, Gandhi's Zenith alarm pocket watch will be made available. The circa 1910-1915 pocket watch is not in the best condition, as you can see the subsidiary hands are missing, and the dial needs to be refinished. The new owner will have to decide whether to restore the watch, or leave it as is for display purposes only. Overall, it is amazing that such a watch would ever be available in an auction.

Before Gandhi died, he gave the watch to his grandniece, Abha Gandhi (who was also his assistant for 6 years). From there the watch must have in a private collection or two before being now available - though it possibly could have stayed in the family. Interestingly enough, in the same lot are other Gandhi items including his glasses, sandals, bowl, plate, and letters to authenticate it all. The expected auction yield for the pocket watch itself is between $20,000 and $30,000 dollars.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.


Tags: antiqorum, auction, gandhi, pocket watch, PocketWatch, Zenith

Zenith Chronomaster Open El Primero Venice

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces


The latest limited edition watch from Zentih is a love letter to the lovely city of Venice. The watch, which uses the automatic El Primero caliber 4021 movement features the famed Venice lion. The lion appears in the open dial at 10 o'clock showing the heart of the El Primero movement. The griffin is also emblazoned across the dial. The watch has a 45mm 18K rose gold case with front and back sapphire crystals. The watch is a limited edition of 100.

[via Time Zone]

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Tags: chronomaster, timepiece, watch, wristwatch, zenith

Zenith ChronoMaster XXT Tourbillon El Primero Concept Watch

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces


This 45mm monster from Zenith is the new El Primero caliber 4005C Tourbillion Concept chronograph watch. It has 35 jewels, beating at 36,000 bph and with a power reserve of 50 hours. The rotor is done in 22kt gold. The watches has the hour and minutes in the center, date indication positioned around the carriage of the tourbillon positioned at 11 o'clock. THere is a center seconds-hand with 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock and 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock. The case and push bottons are white gold and the hands and indices are 18K black gold. It's gorgeous but there is something about the design that seems off to me. Maybe it's all that unused real estate on the left side of the watch.

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Tags: chronomaster, timepiece, tourbillon, wristwatch, zenith

Zenith Grande Port-Royal Tourbillon

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces


You wouldn't dare call Zenith's Grande Port-Royal Tourbillon girly and that's not just because of the glowering muscular model in the ad. The watch is inspired by martial arts and the bridge of the tourbillon and chronograph counters are meant to resemble targets. The dial is covered by the same grid pattern, in black gold, protecting the sapphire crystal.The watch uses the El Primero 4007 movement which is encased in black titanium.

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Tags: black gold, titanium, tourbillon, wristwatch, zenith

Zenith 2006 Watches

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces


Zenith has announced their new 2006 models which include the Grande Open and Class Open Series and new additions to the Queen of Love series. The Grande Class Open and Class Open use the new 4021H movement. The El Primero Open chronograph beats at a rhythm of 36,000 vibrations per hour. The watch is offered in three colors, white, gray and black, in two sizes, 40 or 44mm, and in both stainless steel and 18K rose gold cases. There are both smooth and guilloche dials and it has a transparent caseback. Features include hours, minutes, small seconds, a power reserve indicator, chronograph seconds and a 30-minute chronograph counter.  Classic, elegant and both well-crafted and completely readable. The Baby Star Open Love is reduced to a 32mm size and uses the new Elite 68 automatic movement. The open heart shows the movement and the  removable strap is done in satin silk. The dial colors now include red, black, white, and new colors of brown, beige and violet (shown after the jump). To my eye, the new colors are gorgeous and the open heart movement  doesn't dominate the watch as much.


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Tags: baselworld, timepieces, watches, zenith

Continue reading “Zenith 2006 Watches”

Zenith Defy Collection Watches

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces


We've covered a bunch of Zenith's watches before. Usually their watches tend to be on the elegant and restrained side so this new collection the "sport-chic" Defy Classic is a departure. The chronograph uses the El Primero 4021SC movement with 39 jewels, beating at 36,000 bph. The large stainless steel case measures in at 46.5mm and has a small seconds-hand at 9 o’clock, power reserve indicator, central seconds-hand and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. The power reserve model uses the  automatic Elite caliber 685SC movement  with 38 jewels and a power reserve of 50 hours and is slightly smaller at 43mm. The third model is a time-only version with the automatic caliber Elite 680SC with 26 jewels and a power reserve of 50 hours and is also 43mm. The other two versions and details on the Defy Xtreme collection are after the jump.

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Tags: chronograph, sports watch, timepiece, timepieces, tourbillion, watch, watches, wristwatch, zenith

Continue reading “Zenith Defy Collection Watches”



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