To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Cohiba —the most prestigious and luxurious hand rolled cigar brand in the world—, Zenith is presenting the new Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition. Created in 1966, today Cohiba is celebrating half a century of existence. At its side on the occasion of this anniversary, Zenith is presenting a limited series of its legendary El Primero chronograph, with 50 watches in 18K rose gold and 500 in stainless steel, all featuring a Havana brown dial and emblematic Cohiba motifs. A combination of elegance and technicality, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition exudes a full-bodied fragrance tinged with daring and pleasure. Like the most luxurious of hand rolled Cuban cigars, it embodies high-quality craftsmanship dedicated to an exclusive way of life.
After celebrating The Rolling Stones March 2016 concert in Cuba with a dedicated model, Zenith is once again in the spotlight in this genuine, passionate and vibrant country. On May 24th, at the very heart of Havana, the watchmaking Manufacture represented by its CEO, Aldo Magada, launched the watch commemorating the 50th anniversary of Cohiba, the emblematic Habanos brand. Like the Manufacture Zenith, a pioneer in Fine Watchmaking, the Cohiba brand
is an avant-garde actor in the world of Habanos. Unashamedly elitist, entirely hand-made with long filler Cohiba cigars are the most exclusive Habanos cigars and the preserve of the most discerning connoisseurs. From 1966 until 1982, the brand was exclusively used as an institutional gift by the Cuban Government to foreign statesmen and diplomats. Christened Cohiba in 1966 and officially registered in 1969, the name of the brand comes from the term used by Tainos Indians to describe the rolls of tobacco leaves, which were the ancestors of cigars. Since then, the Manufacture has been established in a magnificent 1920s townhouse — “El Laguito”— located in Cubanacán district of Havana. All the leaves from which a Cohiba is made are the cream of the crop, meticulously selected from the best fields —Vegas de Primera— in the Vuelta Abajo region of the Pinar del Río province. Part of the secret of Cohiba lies in an additional fermentation of the Seco and Ligero leaves of its blend which takes place in wooden barrels. This very special process is reflected in a complex aroma and balanced taste, combining power and delicacy.
Produced in a limited series of 50 pieces in 18K rose gold ref. 18.2042.4061/76.C494 and 500 pieces in stainless steel ref. 03.2047.4061/76.C494, the exclusive “anniversary” El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition by Zenith is adorned in glossy chestnut reminiscent of the amber color of the prestigious cigars. In a nod to the ultimate cigar, its Havana brown dial is spanned with vertical lines and distinctive motifs of the Cuban brand. The famous profile of aboriginal chief Taino, the manufacture’s emblem, appears alongside the Zenith and Cohiba logos.
Beating to the vibrant rhythm of a legendary movement, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition flaunts clean, sleek lines. Its high-frequency mechanism is housed in an elegant 42 mm 18K rose gold case, fitted with a fluted crown and two round push-pieces. Topped by a domed sapphire crystal, this display with its sophisticated allure is punctuated by faceted, luminescent hands. The sapphire case back, engraved with the Cohiba’s 50th anniversary logo, reveals an oscillating weight adorned with “Côtes de Genève”. A whirl of pulsating precision at 11 o’clock, the famous opening of the dial reveals the palpitations of the automatic El Primero 4061 chronograph movement. With its impetuous 36,000 vph cadence enabling a 1/10th of a second display, its COSC precision-certified chronometer and integrated column-wheel construction, this El Primero ‘engine’ is a worthy heir to the world’s most precise series made chronograph series presented by Zenith in 1969. Equipped with a silicon lever and escape-wheel, this 282-part movement driving central hour and minute, chronograph and tachymeter functions is endowed with an over 50-hour power reserve. Both watches are fitted with an alligator strap —brown for the 18K rose gold reference and black for the stainless steel one— with triple folding clasp in matching metal.
Developed for sophisticated connoisseurs, the new Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition watch is presented in an exclusive wooden box that serves as a humidor in the colors of the legendary Habanos cigar. Unfortunately due to the embargo against Cuba, this watch only available outside the U.S.
Sticker Price CHF19,900 Swiss Francs for 18K Rose Gold and CHF9,300 Swiss Francs for stainless steel —approximately $20,500 USD and $9,600 USD respectively. For more info on Zenith click here.
