LVMH is pulling out all the stops with the launch of the LVMH Swiss Watch Manufactures Exhibition, where Zenith is putting women well and truly first.
Elite: a range of models reserved for women
The last time Zenith put ladies first goes back to 2012, and the introduction of the Zenith Star collection of classically elegant timepieces. 2020 sees women back in the spotlight, with new watches in the Elite collection.
The Elite Classic models are powered by the Elite 670 SK calibre, while the Elite Moonphase models take their strength from the Elite 692 movement. Housed inside these all-new creations, the Elite movement has been part of Zenith's history since the early 1990s. From a women's watch perspective, it plays as important a role as the El Primero, as it lends itself to developments that other movements don't allow. As well as being highly versatile and adapted to legible displays, the main draw of this small automatic movement is its slimness. This makes it an excellent base from which to develop the generally smaller diameters of women's ranges.
Two models make up this new launch, namely the Elite Classic and the Elite Moonphase. Both come with a case (and hour markers) in a choice of stainless steel or rose gold, sized at 36mm or 40.5mm (watches with larger diameters and unset for men). However, the Classic watches feature a date display whereas the Moonphase models, as you may have guessed, show phases of the moon.
For the woman who defies time
The Elite collection is just part of Zenith's rollout for its female fans. The brand is also making new additions, specifically for women, to its Defy collection.
Like the Elite collection, these Defy Midnight watches are equipped with the Elite movement. The choice of this refined calibre makes this a less overtly sports watch, instead accentuating its feminine side. The slim movement has inspired Zenith for six new models, all with a 36mm case. Proposed in deep blue, grey or mother-of-pearl, the Defy Midnight's dial is sprinkled with stars to suggest a beautiful night sky, as well as being an embodiment of the brand's emblem. Diamond hour markers bring more sparkle. Women who want an even more scintillating sky also have the option of a diamond-set bezel. The six new Defy Midnight timepieces are crafted in stainless steel and presented with three coloured straps, all easily swapped-out.
And for thicker wrists?
Gentlemen rest assured, Zenith has no intention of leaving its male customers out in the cold. After the El Primero A384 Revival with steel bracelet, which made its debut last year, the brand-with-the-star came to Dubai with a lineup of four new watches for men.
The Pilot Type 20 Rescue in stainless steel, which also comes in a chronograph version powered by the El Primero 4069 calibre, underscores Zenith's ties to the world of aeronautics and flight. Who could forget that Louis Blériot made his historic cross-Channel flight with a Zenith on his wrist, or that when Felix Baumgartner leapt from the edge of space, he also wore a Zenith.
In a more lifestyle vein, the brand introduces two special editions to its DEFY collection with a focus on British talent. They are the Defy 21 Land Rover Edition and the Defy 21 Carl Cox Edition. The former, in honour of the famed carmaker, is crafted from grey ceramic. The latter, inspired by the world-renowned DJ, is in black carbon. Both are driven by the automatic El Primero 9004 movement, and are a reminder of the different ways we can all reach for the stars.
