Article
The pride and pleasure of buying a luxury timepiece is not just in the wearing of the watch, it goes much deeper than that. The greater part of owning a truly exceptional timepiece comes from understanding how it came into being – appreciating its precision engineering and design and celebrating the craftsmanship and heritage intrinsic to each piece.
It is, in short, an “experience” to own such a watch.
In a world that’s celebrating the return of hands-on, in-person encounters, it’s therefore welcome news for fans of horology that luxury watchmaker Zenith is enhancing the luxury watch experience by launching not just an immersive educational platform but also an experiential Watch Clinic. Owners and admiring enthusiasts alike can delve into a world of pioneering watchmaking, gaining insights from the experts and advancing their knowledge and appreciation of horology.
Since 1865, Zenith has been known for its iconic movements and pioneering designs. On the back of many world-firsts, the Swiss watchmaker has earned a reputation for its spirit of innovation and ability to break boundaries, most notably with the El Primero chronograph and its much-loved evolutions.
Zenith has become known as “the Master of Chronographs”, having its finger on the pulse of luxury watchmaking and steadily advancing not only its watches but also its services to, and relationship with, its clients. This now reaches new levels with what is being described as a 360-degree platform – launched at the Watches and Wonders show – called “Master of Chronographs Since 1865”.
This online platform is an inspired destination for a wider audience of watch lovers – a place to delve into the heart of an iconic brand, discover its collection, and learn about its movements and mastery in watchmaking, thus gaining an insight into the art and science of high-frequency chronographs. Through a variety of experiences, including audio testimonials and a video, enthusiasts can get closer to Zenith experts to find out what they think, and can discover how and why Zenith has become the Master of Chronographs.
The platform is also the place for updates on exciting launches, including the completely redesigned Chronomaster Open collection, and new versions of the award-winning Chronomaster Sport, which was unveiled to great acclaim last year and is hailed by Zenith as an “icon in the making”.
TESTIMONIALS
From taking risks to honouring more than 150 years of pioneering innovation, three of Zenith’s experts in design and heritage speak from the heart as they share what it means to be the Master of Chronographs.
Both reinforce the watchmaker’s spirit of innovation as it continues to evolve designs and take risks in mastering the full expression of the complex and sought-after chronograph – from the classic to the avant garde, practical and experimental.
“For Zenith, Master of Chronographs is not just a claim, but an aspiration“ says Zenith CEO Julien Tornare. “It’s a mission and a commitment. It’s something that we have cultivated and, I would say, rightfully earned overmany years. We’ve contributed so much to the advancement of the modern chronograph that we feel a certain responsibility to continue leading its evolution, but also to share our know-how with the world and allow people to appreciate the chronograph in a new way.”
Video
The company is also sharing its expertise in new Watch Clinics, which it says are “unprecedentedly up-close and personal educational watchmaking experiences to get intimately familiar with chronographs, and specifically Zenith’s seminal El Primero calibre.”
Participants can learn about the inner workings of the chronograph movement and even test their skills at putting one together under the guidance of experts. Following its launch at the Zenith Manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland, the Watch Clinic will be accessible at selected Zenith flagship boutiques globally.
In sharing the art of pioneering watchmaking, Zenith underlines its devotion to watch lovers everywhere. In an age of increasing corporate social responsibility and the need for sustainability, the company’s values are further underlined by its commitment to repairing and servicing existing timepieces, extending their lifetime and the enjoyment they give wearers.
As the new ventures launch, a wider community of watch enthusiasts can look forward to a more dynamic and diverse relationship with Zenith. “We’ve worked for some time now on immersive and interactive ways to highlight the chronograph, and ‘Master of Chronographs Since 1865’ is the perfect platform to link all these initiatives,” Tornare says. “This is a new gateway for people to learn about the chronograph and how Zenith has mastered it and elevated it to new heights.”
