Watches & Wonders 2025: News from Zenith

Zenith turns 160 years in 2025, this the brand celebrates with a number of novelties that come in blue. 

Text: Andreas Johansson

Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback 160th Anniversary Edition

In 1888 Georges Favre-Jacot registered the trademark ”PILOT”, several decades before the Wright brothers' first flight. This visionary move cemented Zenith's connection to aviation. The early Pilot watches, indispensable instruments for aviators, had large, luminous numerals for maximum legibility.

Facts: 

Reference: 49.4002.3652/51.I009  

Movement: Self-winding 5 Hz El Primero 3652; 60 hours power reserve  

Functions: Hours and minutes; small seconds hand; instantaneous big date; flyback chronograph 

Case: 41 mm × 14,25 mm; blue micro-blasted ceramic; water resistant to 100 m  

Dial: Blue with horizontal flutings  

Strap: Blue rubber with cordura effect; extra white rubber with cordura effect; both with triple folding clasp in steel  

Availability: Limited edition of 160 examples; available from September 2025  

Price: 16 500 EUR   

Zenith Defy Skyline Chronograph 160th Anniversary Edition 

The same year ZENITH introduced another icon: the DEFY collection. From the beginning DEFY was designed to challenge the conventional and reflect the brand's bold spirit and avant-garde vision. The original DEFY, nicknamed ”coffre-fort” (safe) because of its robust construction, immediately set a new standard for durability and style. This bold spirit of innovation continues to drive the DEFY collection today.

Facts:
Reference: 49.9502.3600/51.I001  

Movement: Self-winding 5 Hz El Primero 3600; 60 hours power reserve  

Functions: Hours and minutes; small seconds hand; 1/10-second chronograph; date  

Case: 42 mm × 12,7 mm; blue ceramic; water resistant to 100 m  

Dial: Blue-toned with sunray pattern and starry sky  

Bracelet: Blue ceramic bracelet with double folding clasp; extra blue rubber strap with folding clasp in steel  

Availability: Limited edition of 160 examples; available from June 2025  

Price: 24 800 EUR 

Chronomaster Sport 160th Anniversary Edition

The El Primero movement, a cornerstone in Zenith:s heritage. But it is more than just a movement, it is a symbol of precision and innovation. When it was presented in 1969 it revolutionised watchmaking as the world's first high-frequency automatic chronograph, with a beat rate of an impressive 36 000 vibrations per hour. Its ability to measure time with an accuracy of a tenth of a second set a new standard within watchmaking. 

Facts:

Reference: 49.3102.3600/51.M3100  

Movement: Self-winding 5 Hz El Primero 3600; 60 hours power reserve  

Functions: Hours and minutes; date; 1/10-second chronograph  

Case: 41 mm × 13,6 mm; blue ceramic; water resistant to 100 m  

Dial: Blue-toned sunray finish with three multicoloured sub-dials  

Bracelet: Blue ceramic bracelet with ceramic folding clasp; extra blue rubber strap with folding clasp in steel  

Availability: Limited edition of 160 examples; available from September 2025  

Price: 23 700 EUR 

Zenith G.F.J. 

Georges Favre-Jacot followed a bold dream: to create ”the perfect watch”. During the middle of the 1900s Zenith cemented its superiority through the development of the calibre 135-O. Named after Georges Favre-Jacot's initials, Zenith revives with the elegant, slim and sophisticated G.F.J. the legendary calibre 135 – the most award-winning movement from watchmakins golden age.

Facts:

Reference: 40.1865.0135/51.C200  

Movement: Hand winding, Calibre 135; 72 hours power reserve  

Functions: Hours and minutes; small seconds hand  

Case: 39,15 mm × 10,5 mm; platinum; water resistant to 50 m  

Dial: Lapis lazuli; mother-of-pearl (small seconds hand); blue ”bricks” guilloché pattern on the outer ring  

Strap: Dark blue alligator leather with platinum buckle; extra black calfskin and blue ”Saffiano” calfskin. Option: platinum chainmail with double folding clasp  

Availability: Limited edition of 160 examples  

Price: 52 900 EUR