To celebrate its 160th anniversary, Zenith presents three blue ceramic watches and a platinum classic-looking timepiece powered by the iconic calibre 135 and with a lapis lazuli dial. The story of Zenith began in the serene, mountainous town of Le Locle in the mid-19th century. Georges Favre, a young boy from the Jura region, immersed himself in the precise world of pivot makers and escapement assemblers. In 1863, at age 20, he married Louise-Philippine Jacot-Descombes, who also came from a watchmaking family.
Fueled by their shared passion and with the support of Louise's dowry, they founded what would eventually become the Manufacture on Rue des Billodes in 1865. Today, Zenith is a synonym of one of the most legendary chronographs, the El Primero.
These three blue ceramic watches celebrate the brand's three main collections: the Pilot, the Chronomaster, and the DEFY. The fourth of these watches celebrates George Favre-Jacot with a timeless classical timepiece in platinum that brings back the iconic calibre 135, the most awarded movement from the golden era of observatory chronometer competitions. All watches use the same hue of blue in the exact Pantone, very similar to the Yves Klein blue.
All four watches can be purchased individually or as a box set with four limited-edition timepieces. Each watch in this set is limited to 160 pieces, whether purchased as a box set or separately. This anniversary box set is available exclusively at Zenith boutiques. The box below is not final and only shown as an example of what this box may look like.
Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback 160th Anniversary Edition
The Pilot collection is a tribute to humanity's lasting fascination with flight. In 1888, long before the Wright brothers' first flight, Georges Favre-Jacot registered the "PILOT" trademark, a visionary step that firmly established Zenith’s ties to aviation. Early Pilot watches, designed as vital tools for aviators, featured large, luminescent numerals for optimal readability. This rich legacy continues to inspire the Pilot collection today.
The Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback Chronograph ref. 49.4002.3652/51.I009 in a striking monochrome blue edition features a 42.5 mm blue ceramic case, complemented by a titanium crown and pushers. The blue corrugated dial is adorned with large luminescent Arabic numerals for enhanced readability.
The watch is powered by the El Primero 3652 automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre, boasting big date and flyback functions. This chronograph calibre combines the big date and the flyback function, all within the 5Hz—36,000 vph— movement. The patented compliant mechanism smoothly advances and stabilizes the two wheels of the big date in under 0.03 seconds.
The watch is sold with two interchangeable straps—a blue and a white Cordura-effect rubber strap—easily swapped thanks to an innovative strap-changing system. This exclusive timepiece is a limited edition of just 160 pieces, celebrating the brand's 160th anniversary.
Sticker Price USD 15,900. More info on Zenith here.
Zenith Chronomaster Sport 160th Anniversary Edition
The Zenith Chronomaster Sport ref. 49.3102.3600/51.M3100 combines Zenith's mastery of high-frequency timekeeping with a dynamic, sporty design. Its 41 mm blue ceramic case, complemented by pump-style pushers, is paired with a blue sunray-finished dial featuring the brand’s signature 3-6-9 tricolor overlapping counters.
It is powered by the El Primero 36000 high-frequency automatic movement, equipped with the world’s first 1/10th of a second indicator. This 311-part movement provides a power reserve of 60 hours when fully wound.
It comes with both a blue ceramic bracelet and a blue rubber strap. This exclusive timepiece is a limited edition of 160 pieces, celebrating the brand’s 160th anniversary.
Sticker Price USD 22,700. More info on Zenith here.
Zenith DEFY Skyline Chrono 160th Anniversary Edition
The new Zenith DEFY Skyline Chronograph ref. 49.9502.3600/51.I001 in a sleek monochrome blue edition features a 42 mm blue ceramic case with a multi-faceted bezel and a dial adorned with an engraved geometric pattern inspired by the brand's iconic four-pointed star.
It is powered by the El Primero 36000 high-frequency automatic movement, equipped with the world’s first 1/10th of a second indicator. This 311-part movement provides a power reserve of 60 hours when fully wound.
The watch comes with a blue ceramic bracelet and a blue-patterned rubber strap, easily interchangeable thanks to Zenith’s innovative strap-changing system. This exclusive timepiece is a limited edition of just 160 pieces, celebrating the brand's 160th anniversary.
Sticker Price USD 23,800. More info on Zenith here.
Zenith G.F.J Calibre 135 160th Anniversary Edition
The elegant G.F.J. ref. 40.1865.0135/51.C200 revives the legendary calibre 135, the most awarded movement from the golden era of observatory chronometer competitions, reengineered to incorporate subtle yet significant enhancements that improve its reliability, precision, and overall performance, while preserving its timeless essence.
The watch features a slender 39 mm platinum round case with a stepped bezel and curved, stepped lugs. Its three-part blue dial combines a brick guilloché pattern with lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl for a refined aesthetic.
The G.F.J is powered by and updated version of the iconic manual wound calibre 135. This 157-part movement beating at a frequency 18,000 vph provides a power reserve of 72 hours. The stamped motif on the movement’s bridges is meant to resemble the textured brick at the Zenith manufacture.
The G.F.J. is delivered on a platinum bracelet with three interchangeable straps: a dark blue alligator leather strap, a black calfskin leather strap, and a blue “Saffiano” calfskin leather strap.
This exclusive timepiece is a limited edition of just 160 pieces, celebrating the brand's 160th anniversary.
Sticker Price USD 49,900. More info on Zenith here.
