Zenith unveiled the “second act” of its collection dedicated to iconic and sought-after vintage models. Comparable in some respects to the choice recently made by the crowned watchmaker – I go in depth about it here – Zenith has already been offering its collectors the possibility of being able to purchase historic watches of the Maison restored and certified by the manufacture itself since 2020.
For this second chapter of the road taken by Zenith, called “The Space Age”, the Maison has decided to focus on watches with a peculiar space design in full 70s style.
Il programma Zenith Icons
When we mention Zenith, we are talking about one of the Maisons that surely no watch enthusiast should ever overlook, especially in terms of watchmaking history.
Suffice it to say that Zenith was responsible for the first official announcement, in January 1969, by a Maison, of the first automatic movement with chronograph in the world called with a name famous to all: El Primero.
If you do not know how the incredible race for the first chronograph went I suggest you read this article by our Jacopo Invernizzi.
And it is precisely this movement that was taken as the basis by none other than Rolex to make their automatic chronographs from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. In fact, as many of you surely know, Rolex used the automatic caliber derived from Zenith for the movement of its Daytonas, which is why we still refer to these watches today with the term Daytona Zenith.
These are just a few, but important premises which allow us to understand how much the historical legacy of Zenith is part of the whole world of watchmaking.
Rightfully so, it is through the Icons program that in 2020 Zenith wanted to provide a tool that would allow it not to lose the cultural heritage enclosed within each of its timepieces.
This is a program which has the purpose, on the part of the Heritage Department of the Manufacture, to purchase, restore and certify the best historically important references, ensuring that the components of the watches are completely original.
The goal is to offer collectors transparency and security in the world of vintage watches, often a land of uncertainty and doubts.
In an effort to preserve these watches by offering them a second life through a subsequent sale after passing from the Manufacture, Zenith initially focused on some of the earliest and most iconic El Primero references from 1969 to 1972.
Regarding the program, Zenith CEO Julien Tornare commented with the following words:
“A mechanical watch is one of the rare objects in the world that can be worn and lived forever, if properly stored and maintained. The ZENITH ICONS specimens are more than intergenerational models or accessories handed down within the family: they are true pieces of the history of the Manufacture, which we now offer to attentive and passionate collectors from all over the world”.
With the recent announcement of the second act of the Icons programme, dubbed “The Space Age”, Zenith takes us into what was considered the future in the 1970s, giving us the opportunity to explore the second generation of the iconic El Primero calibre.
These are all those watches produced by the Maison in the 70s, a period in which man had just landed on the Moon but, at the same time, a period in which mechanical watches were strongly questioned by the advent of quartz watches.
To deal with this “crisis” in watchmaking, Zenith decided to revolutionize the slim-proportioned, elegant-looking design of the first El Primeros, assuming unprecedented shapes for those years and, above all, adding new functions to the world’s first automatic chronograph.
Among the models that the Maison created, we find today several historical references that can be purchased directly from Zenith with complete guarantees and safety in regards to the history and originality of these watches from the 70s.
Zenith A782
This first watch, which will be purchasable, like the other models available, exclusively at Zenith’s physical boutiques and online, represents the second generation of the El Primero automatic chronograph.
Characterized by a typically 70s design, the shapes of this watch take inspiration directly from the space style. The blue gradient dial with streaked hour markers is undoubtedly the eye-catcher of any aficionado.
To animate this historic watch made in only 1000 pieces with this configuration, we find the El Primero high-frequency automatic chronograph caliber.
Zenith A788
Belonging to the second generation of the Zenith El Primero, this model features an innovative rounded hexagonal case with a cushion shape that instantly recalls the space lines of the 70s.
The wonderful galvanic blue dial combines perfectly with the silver-colored chronograph counters and with the pulsometric scale located on the outside of the dial.
Zenith A7817 “Espada”
The A7817 is the first to integrate a complete calendar with moon phases in the iconic calibre, and represents the first official model of the “Espada” line.
Equipped with high-frequency performance, thanks to the El Primero caliber, the steel barrel case with fourteen-sided bezel has the typical robustness of the Defy line (nicknamed the “safe of precision”).
Above the silver dial with galvanic blue counters are the indications of the complete calendar and the moon phases.
Zenith 01.0140.415
Made in only 500 examples in the world, it is one of the rarest second generation El Primeros. Its typically futuristic design for the years in which it was produced matches perfectly with the fixed galvanic blue bezel with tachymeter scale.
Inside the steel barrel case is the brushed galvanic blue dial with a new type of baton and luminescent hour markers.
Zenith 01.0200.415 “Televisore / Big Blue“
Zenith’s reference 01.0200.415, nicknamed “Televisore” (Television) for the rectangular steel case in the shape of a television, still belongs to the second generation of El Primero.
Inside this watch we find a metallic dark blue dial with rectangular counters always in the shape of a television. Above the dial, moreover, you can see the new Zenith logo which will be adopted starting from 1972.
To learn more about Zenith Icons, visit the dedicated section in Zenith’s official website.
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