One of the best ways to learn more about Zenith and its incredible history is to come to Switzerland and experience it for yourself with a tour of the company’s manufacture that dates back to 1865.
The Tours
Every Friday morning, Zenith opens its doors to the general public for a three-hour tour of its manufacture in French (with audio guides in German, English, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish). There is also the possibility to book an exclusive private tour from Monday to Thursday for groups of up to eight people (in French, German, or English).
The tour takes visitors on a journey via the different buildings that make up this 156-year-old manufacture, passing by a design display, the company’s museum, and the famous attic where Charles Vermot hid all the tooling machines and plans for the El Primero movement. When the company halted production in favor of quartz, Vermot moved all the equipment up into the attic, even walling up the door, to keep it safe. The move paid off when, a decade later, he was asked if it would be possible to remake the famous movement!
The Opening of Zenith’s First Swiss Boutique
To enhance the manufacture experience, Zenith has built a boutique inside the manufacture so that visitors can also discover the whole range of Zenith timepieces. A “Story Bar” allows them to delve deeper into the Zenith universe with a unique interactive feature that plays a specific video when they touch one of the objects on display. It is also possible to book an appointment to see specific models before their arrival, and/or place orders remotely.
A Watch Clinic
Another new feature available for visitors is the brand’s Watch Clinic with three different modules adapted to each visitor’s level of knowledge and interest. The first is a basic course on how mechanical movements function, the second is a chronograph course that explains the specifics of the El Primero 3600 1/10th of a second chronograph, and finally, for those with a passion for vintage watches, a course on restoration. All of the modules allow visitors to enter the world of the watchmaker and get hands-on with movements and watchmaking components.
Zenith Chronomaster Original Boutique Edition
In celebration of the opening of Zenith’s first Swiss boutique, the brand is also unveiling a new Chronomaster Original Boutique Edition. This special edition comes with a unique dial that was inspired by dials found in the famous attic (you will also see them on the visit). The striking blue dial features silver chronograph counters for a historically inspired, yet totally original, look. The movement powering the timepiece is the latest iteration of the El Primero automatic high-frequency chronograph that measures and displays the 1/10th of a fraction of a second. The timepiece is available in the manufacture boutique, and also in Zenith boutiques around the world.
Zenith is providing the ultimate watch aficionado experience that will seduce both local watch lovers as well as those traveling to Switzerland for vacation.
For more details: www.explorewatch.swiss
