An electrifying collaboration between a high-end watchmaker and a transformational artist

 

 

Zenith x Felipe Pantone – a first in the world of watches.

Felipe Pantone’s creations are considered revolutionary by fans of radical design. The Argentinian-Spanish artist has used the facade of Zenith luxury watch manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland as a canvas. This electrifying collaboration between a watchmaker with a rich history and a transformational artist can be experienced at the site in Le Locle, Switzerland until the end of the year 2021.

Zenith reaffirms its status as an inspirational force in watchmaking in a bold avant-garde collaboration.

In addition to the façade installation, Felipe Pantone and Zenith have teamed to create a lively campaign with the hashtag #ZenithxFelipePantone, rolled out across Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

The artist was commissioned to transform Zenith’s premises at a UNESCO World Heritage Site into a full-fledged work of art, celebrating the beauty of the digital realm. His creation reveals a striking color spectrum of digital graphics that cover the entire façade of the historic building. The work is nothing short of a masterpiece of graphic expression.

“From the moment I encountered Felipe Pantone’s work, I felt his unique and dynamic energy,” says Zenith CEO Julien Tornare. The works of the Argentinian-Spanish artist are distinctively original and contemporary, an ideal match for a brand that has earned a reputation as an innovative leader that continually pushes boundaries.”

The return of the original Zenith gradient dial.

This week, Zenith introduced the Chronomaster Revival A385, a faithful reproduction of one of the three steel models that launched alongside the El Primero calibre in 1969. It stands out with its striking brown gradient dial, which was the first “smoked” dial ever to be made by Zenith.

The A385 made headlines back in 1970, when it took part in Zenith’s “Operation Sky”. This extreme test consisted of strapping the watch to an Air France Boeing 707’s landing gear on a flight from Paris to New York to test its resistance to external aggressions such as drastic temperature fluctuations, wind force and changing air pressure. Upon landing, the watch was still functioning perfectly.

After over 50 years, the time has come for the A385 to make its return in the form of a Chronomaster Revival model. Far more than just a vintage-inspired creation, the Chronomaster Revival A385 is an actual reproduction of the original model from 1969 in an exercise of “reverse engineering” by the Manufacture. Using the original blueprints and production plans, each part of the A385’s 37mm tonneau-shaped stainless steel case, including the pump-style pushers, is faithful to the original 1969 model. The only differences, are the domed sapphire crystal instead of an acrylic glass and the display back instead of the closed solid steel case back, offering an unobstructed view of the El Primero 400 chronograph movement.