A Celebration of the First

This is a big year for Zenith, as 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the El Primero movement and also the first anniversary of Le Monde Étoilé, “a uniquely immersive experience at the Zenith manufacture that allows visitors to discover the history of Zenith and Swiss watchmaking.” With these two major milestones on the agenda, Zenith headed to Singapore for the debut of its “A Star Through Time” pop-up exhibition. Through the exhibit, Zenith aims to bring the Le Monde Étoilé experience to the world while also highlighting the history and magnificence of the El Primero caliber—starting on Singapore’s famed Orchard Road.

Rare vintage watches from the archives of Zenith were on display along with old archives and old adverts for the brand’s timepieces. Of course, the El Primero is the undisputed star of the show, with its story told through various specimens both old and new, a timeline spanning an entire wall chronicling the journey and major milestones for the movement, along with interactive displays.

From the past and the present, the exhibit then closed with the future, that of Zenith and—arguably—of Swiss watchmaking as a whole. The last stop in “A Star Through Time” showcases the DEFY Inventor. A continuation of the DEFY El Primero 21 and the DEFY Lab, Zenith’s Defy Inventor perfectly encapsulates Zenith’s spirit of innovation and its vision for the future of watchmaking with its singlepiece Zenith Oscillator.