Zenith watches has just announced the brand’s one and only boutique in its home country of Switzerland, nestled away within the premises of its own hallowed Manufacture. The boutique, therefore, is aptly named the Zenith Manufacture Boutique.
The boutique will offer those visiting the Manufacture, or simply pilgrims who are there to buy a special watch for a special occasion, the opportunity to choose from the brand’s complete current collection. Best of all, the watches here will have been quite literally delivered fresh from the oven along with the bragging right of being able to say that you bought the watch on the same grounds it was assembled.
To mark the occasion, Zenith has launched the Chronomaster Original Boutique Edition, a special execution of the El Primero steel chronograph with the brand’s brilliant blue applied to the dial and paired with silver chronograph subdials.
The movement within the watch is, of course, the 5Hz El Primero 3600 self-winding calibre, which enables the brand’s famed 1/10th of a second chronograph function. That means to say that, as opposed to traditional chronographs where the seconds hand goes once around the dial for every minute elapsed, the El Primero 3600’s chronograph seconds hand whizzes around the dial every 10 seconds.
At the same time, Zenith is announcing the reopening of its manufacture doors to visitors for guided tours. These tours can be booked with the Neuchâtel Tourism Office and private group visits can be organised directly with the brand. And just so you’re not simply walking through the premises and taking your leave, Zenith will be conducting Watch Clinic workshops during these visits. Three distinct modules will be offered to cater to the visitors’ level of knowledge and interest. These will be three hours sessions and available in four languages. Modules include a basic course on the ins-and-outs of a mechanical watch and movement; a chronograph course that goes deep into the particularities of the El Primero 3600 1/10th of a second chronograph and lastly, for those with a particular inclination towards vintage Zenith, a course on restoration watchmaking and how Zenith preserves its historical works. Regardless of the module chosen, Zenith will do their best to ensure you walk away having a greater appreciation for the brand’s watchmaking.
Last thing worth mentioning is that the Manufacture will also being offering visits to their restoration atelier, on a by-request-only basis. With archives that go as far back as Zenith’s, you’re sure to witness some treasures being restored to their original glory.
Tech Specs
Movement: El Primero 3600 Automatic; hours and minutes in the centre; small seconds at nine o’clock; 1/10th of a second Chronograph: central chronograph hand that makes one turn in 10 seconds, 60-minute counter at six o’clock, 60 second counter at three o’clock; frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz); 60-hour power reserve
Case & Dial: 38mm in stainless steel; blue-toned dial with silver-toned counters; water-resistant to 50m
Strap/Bracelet: Ref. 03.3200.3600/51.M3200 on stainless steel bracelet and stainless-steel double folding clasp; ref. 03.3200.3600/51.C902 on blue calfskin leather strap with stainless steel triple folding clasp
Price & Availability: CHF 8,400; available at all Zenith boutiques around the world as well its online shop
More information: zenith-watches.com
