Zenith

History of Zenith

1865 Georges Favre-Jacot set up a workshop in Le Locle, one of the very first to bring all the different artisan-watchmakers together under one roof.

1911 Georges Favre-Jacot gave the company that still bore his name a lasting identity. The legend tells how, as he was walking one night under a starry sky in the Swiss mountains, the idea came to him to name his finest movement, and later his company, after the highest point in the sky : Zenith.

1969 Creation of El Primero, a self-winding chronograph beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour and now a worldwide reference.

1984 Zenith decided to relaunch production of mechanical watches.

1994 Zenith launched the Elite movement.

Over the course of the 20th century, the Manufacture was awarded over 1,550 distinctions, produced some 50 calibres and opened branches around the world.

1999 Zenith became part of the LVMH group.

2001 The rebirth : Zenith searched the depths of its past hundred years to reinvent itself. Drawing inspiration from the legacy of its young and brilliant founder, Zenith forged a unique style, classical and yet innovative, the link between tradition and modernity.

2003 Launch of the Chronomaster Open El Primero. A technological innovation enables the movement’s beating heart to be seen through an opening in the dial. The collection rapidly became the icon of the Manufacture and a resounding success.

The company also turned its attention to women with a range in their image, beautiful and intelligent : Star. Great enthusiasm ensued. Sales in this segment have shown continuous growth and now represent a third of total production.