Swiss watchmaker Zenith has announced two special collections to mark its 160th anniversary, showcasing the brand's legacy of precision and innovation. The collections, launched at Watches and Wonders 2025 held in Geneva, include the exclusive G.F.J. timepiece, and a trio of blue ceramic chronographs across different lines that pay homage to the brand's rich horological heritage.
The Legendary Calibre 135 Reborn: The G.F.J. Collection
Headlining the anniversary collection is the G.F.J., Georges Favre-Jacot, a limited-edition watch that revives the legendary Calibre 135, once the most-awarded movement in the golden age of observatory chronometry competitions. The Calibre 135 represents a pinnacle of horological achievement, having won an extraordinary 235 chronometry prizes - an absolute record in watchmaking history. Between 1950 and 1954, it achieved an unprecedented feat by winning five consecutive first prizes in the wristwatch category at the Neuchâtel Observatory, a testament to its exceptional precision and technical mastery. Developed specifically for observatory trials by Ephrem Jobin, the movement was meticulously regulated by renowned Zenith "chronomètriers" Charles Fleck and René Gygax, setting new standards of accuracy in mechanical watchmaking.
The G.F.J. features a refined 39mm platinum case with a stepped bezel and curved lugs, housing the meticulously re-engineered Calibre 135 movement. The watch boasts a captivating blue dial constructed in three parts: An outer ring with a 'brick' guilloché pattern, a central section crafted from deep blue Lapis Lazuli, and a mother-of-pearl seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. Facetted white gold hour markers and hand-applied white gold beads complete the dial's design.
The manually wound movement represents a modern reinterpretation of the historic calibre, now delivering a 72-hour power reserve - compared to the 40 hours in the 1950s version - and regulated to an impressive +/-2 seconds per day, officially certified by the COSC.
Priced at 49,900 USD, the G.F.J. comes with three interchangeable straps: a dark blue alligator leather strap, a black calfskin leather strap, and a blue "Saffiano" calfskin leather strap. The platinum pin buckle is engraved with the G.F.J. initials and the brick pattern. Another option for purchase upon request is the seven-row platinum bracelet whose center links are embossed with the brick pattern.
Limited to just 160 pieces, this extraordinary timepiece is a testament to Zenith's unwavering commitment to precision.
A Trio of Blue Ceramic Chronographs: The 160th Anniversary Editions
Complementing the G.F.J., Zenith has introduced a trio of monochromatic blue ceramic chronographs across three of its most iconic collections: The Pilot Big Date Flyback, the DEFY Skyline Chronograph, and the Chronomaster Sport.
Pilot Big Date Flyback 160th Anniversary Edition
Crafted in a vibrant blue micro-blasted ceramic, this 42.5mm pilot's watch comes housed with the El Primero 3652 calibre featuring an innovative big date display and a flyback chronograph function. The big date display features a patented compliant mechanism that enables the date to change in just 0.007 seconds. The design is the reworked Big Pilot, which was unveiled in 2023 at Watches and Wonders Geneva, dial, with a dial design featuring horizontal grooves that are inspired by the look of corrugated metal sheets that make up the fuselage of older aircrafts. The case is complemented by a titanium crown, rectangular push-pieces, and luminescent Arabic numerals.
The new Pilot Big Date Flyback is priced at USD 15,900 and comes with interchangeable strap options: A blue Cordura-effect rubber strap and an additional white Cordura-effect strap, both secured with a steel triple-folding clasp.
2. Defy Skyline Chronograph 160th Anniversary Edition
The 42mm Defy Skyline Chronograph showcases Zenith's technical prowess with the El Primero 3600 calibre, capable of measuring and displaying 1/10th of a second, six times faster than the standard chronograph.
A contemporary successor to the 1969 Defy, the new anniversary edition is crafted, for the first time, entirely in a ceramic featuring Zenith's signature blue. Its faceted case and four-pointed-star-motif-inspired dial reflect the brand's design philosophy.
Priced at USD 23,800, the new Defy Skyline Chronograph includes a quick strap-change system integrated into the case. It is available in two strap options: a three-link ceramic bracelet and a star-pattered blue rubber strap.
3. Chronomaster Sport 160th Anniversary Edition
The 41mm blue ceramic Chronomaster Sport continues Zenith's chronograph legacy with the El Primero 3600 movement. The high-frequency movement operates at 36,000 vph, and delivers 1/10th of second chronograph readings on its bezel while the central chronograph completes one full rotation around the dial in just 10 seconds.
Featuring the signature 3-6-9 tricolor overlapping counters, the lacquer-finished dials come with luminescent-coated faceted markers, and hour, minutes, and second hands. The chronograph hands are highlighted with a red tip.
This anniversary model is priced at USD 22,700, and comes with two strap options: A blue ceramic bracelet with a ceramic folding clasp and a blue rubber strap with a steel folding clasp.
Images: Courtesy Zenith
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