By Rebecca Doulton
Zenith, the Swiss brand celebrating its 150th anniversary, shot to fame with its 1969 El Primero calibre watch - a high-frequency chronograph capable of measuring elapsed times to the nearest 1/10th of a second. When Zenith first launched its collection of Star watches for women, the legendary El Primero movement was chosen for the 37mm cases. With the new trend for smaller, more feminine watch sizes, three new Zenith Star watches have been launched in 33mm cushion-shaped cases, powered by an ultra-thin movement.
Read more about the collection of Zenith Star watches here
The first new Zenith Star watch has a very original dial, which emulates the Japanese paper-folding technique of origami. Almost like an Escher print, the geometric shapes on the white lacquered surface lead the eye towards the small seconds counter at 9 o’clock with its star-shaped figure and blued-steel hand. Four diamonds are used as hour markers and the crown is set with a cabochon.
The vibrant red, pink and orange tones of the flower petals that decorate the second model have been transferred to the white mother-of-pearl background and silhouetted with a metal border for greater relief. Tucked into the corners of the cushion-shaped case, graduated white diamonds add light to the composition and contrast to the red cabochon crown. The dial of the third white gold jewellery model drew on the skills of an engraver, an enamellist and a gem-setter to achieve the delicate, off-centred floral composition, which seems to sway with life.
Read more about floral watches here
All three ladies' watches are presented on matching alligator straps with a gem-set buckle. Inside the case, the Elite 681 ultra-thin automatic manufacture calibre keeps the hours, minutes and small seconds ticking for 50 hours. A sapphire crystal caseback reveals the oscillating weight decorated with a Côtes de Genève motif, and three new feminine stars twinkle in the firmament of the brand with the star logo.
