Clichés often don't stand up to the test of history, and those that would have us believe that watches are essentially men's business have certainly got it all wrong! During the first centuries of horological history, they were worn on long chains called chatelaines, as cuff-watches, and on long sautoir necklaces. Later, they were attached to handbags, belts... and to the wrist. Quite clearly, timepieces have always appealed to women.
When Georges Favre-Jacot founded the first large watch manufacture in 1865, by bringing together under one roof in Le Locle the entire range of watchmaking professions, he displayed an equal interest in both genders. His visionary idea of thus uniting the skills of numerous artisans served to optimise research and development in the field of horological mechanisms and thereby to provide the most accurate possible movements and the most pleasing watch cases for both him and her. Dials were crafted from mother-of-pearl or stones and mechanisms were miniaturised in order to create genuine pieces of jewellery telling the time, and consistently placing technical skill in the service of beauty. Throughout its history, Zenith has loved women just as much as women love watches, and has thereby succeeded in enriching watchmaking with vibrant colour and feminine delicacy.
Witness a letter addressed by Countess Anna de Noailles in 1912 to the company director regarding her Zenith watch. This author, who became the first woman to be named a commander of the prestigious french Legion of honour and was an eminent figure within early 20th century parisian literary circles, expressed fulsome praise for her “charming watch” that she “wore with great pleasure”. In an exquisitely poetic manner, she managed to find just the right words to describe the perfect blend of technical and aesthetic considerations embodied in Zenith's ladies' timepieces: “the delightful and salutary agate surrounds the most practical and visually pleasing dial one could possibly imagine.”
Zenith Heritage Ultra Thin Lady MoonPhase
Doubtless because it expresses a subtle blend of technical performance and aesthetic beauty, the moon phase is perhaps one of the most feminine and poetic of all horological complications. Equipped with the ultra-thin elite movement, the model presented by Zenith in 2011 features the precision of a classic alexandrine, along with the freedom of romantic verse. Set against the backdrop of its mother-of-pearl dial background, its diamond-pavé hour-markers and crown enhance a precious jewellery model that radiates understated elegance for evening wear, and sophisticated chic for daytime. Its small seconds subdial at 9 o'clock and its moon-phase display at 6 o'clock lend a classic touch to its subtly asymmetrical design and combine with the modern glow of rose gold to create a timeless, refined and eminently desirable timepiece. Graced with a mother-of-pearl, guilloché silver-toned, chocolate-toned or glacier blue dial, the variations harmonise with the colours of the wristband, while a particularly precious evening dress model with a satin strap and a full-set dial rounds out the range. A rich variety of versions conveying a single vision: that of a delightfully feminine watch.
El Primero 36'000 VpH 38mm Lady
In 2011, the manufacture Zenith is writing a new chapter in the saga of its enduring romance with the fair sex. The world's most precise movement, the legendary El Primero, appears within a 38 mm case perfectly suited to women's wrists. Its excellent performances are governed by its balance oscillating at the rate of ten times a second, meaning considerably faster than usual – just as a heart beats faster when in the grip of a powerful emotion. The high-frequency automatic chronograph and the tachometric scale are intended for women of action, but also of elegance and refinement: the chocolate-toned dial and chestnut brown crocodile leather strap are in entirely in harmony with the rose gold case and hour-markers. The delicately diamond-pavé bezel and lugs further enhance the sensuality of this model. The date appears between 4 and 5 o'clock. Whether in steel grey or glacier blue dial versions with a mother-of-pearl base or pavé hour-markers, and even fitted with a metal bracelet, the different variations provide a broad spectrum of combinations that is matched only by the many styles of wear that are bound to be explored by their future owners.
Technical specifications - Zenith Heritage Ultra Thin Lady Moonphase
• Classical Zenith legacy watches
• Ultra thin case in 33mm diameter
• Moonphase indication
• Automatic Elite caliber beating at 28'000 VpH
Movement:
Elite 692, Automatic Calibre : 111⁄2 ``` (Diameter: 25.60 mm)
Thickness: 3.97 mm
Components: 195
Jewels: 27
Frequency: 28,800 vph – (4 hz)
Power reserve: min. 50 hours
Finishing: oscillating weight with “côtes de Genève” pattern.
Functions: Hours and minutes in the center Small seconds hand at 9 o'clock moonphase at 6 o'clock
Case, dial & hands:
Material: 18-carat central hour and minute hands
Diameter: 33 mm
Diameter opening: 28.30 mm
Crystal: cambered sapphire crystal with anti-reflection treatment on both sides
Case-back: cambered sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: 3 Atm
Dial: mother-of-pearl set with diamonds
Hour-markers: 11 diamonds
Hands: gold-plated rhodium, faceted
Diamonds:
Carats: ~0.5 cts
Bezel: 72 VS brilliant-cut diamonds
Dial: 11 VS brilliant-cut diamonds
Strap & Buckle:
Shiny brown alligator leather strap with protective rubber lining
18-carat gold pin buckle
Technical specifications - El Primero 36,000 VpH 38mm Lady
• Automatic chronograph with date at 4:30 o'clock
• New El Primero 400 caliber: 278 components, 31 jewels & 36,000 VpH
• Tachometric scale on the inner bezel ring
Movement:
El Primero 400, Automatic Calibre: 131⁄4 ``` (Diameter: 30 mm)
Thickness: 6.60 mm
Components: 278
Jewels: 31
Frequency: 36,000 vph – (5 hz)
Power reserve: min. 50 hours
Finishing: oscillating weight with “côtes de Genève” pattern.
Functions:
Central hour and minute hands
Small seconds at 9 o'clock
Date indicator at 4:30 o'clock 3-counter chronograph :
– 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock
– 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock
– central chronograph hand
– tachometric Scale
Case, dial & hands:
Material: 18-carat rose gold set with diamonds
Case diameter: 38 mm
Dial opening: 33.10 mm
Crystal: box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflection treatment on both sides
Case-back: transparent sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: 10 Atm
Dial: brown sunray-brushsed
Hour-markers: faceted, gold-plated with superluminova SLn c1
Hands: faceted, gold-plated with Superluminova SLn c1
Diamonds:
Carats: ~0.6 cts
Bezel: 120 VS brilliant-cut diamonds
Case: 44 VS brilliaint-cut diamonds
Strap & buckle:
Shiny brown alligator leather strap with protective rubber lining
rose gold pin buckle
