Manufacture Zenith celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. To mark this special occasion, the famous haute horlogerie brand presents one of its most complex creations, the Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage, in a stunning new attire.
Zenith Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage II represents an ultimate demonstration of the brand’s craftsmanship in engraving and micro-painting, as well as in technical refinement. The new model is issued in an entirely hand-finished edition that comprises 10 pieces, each incorporating three major watchmaking breakthroughs: a patented Gravity Control system, fusée-chain transmission, and the famous El Primero movement, which beats at an outstanding frequency of 36,000 vibrations/hour. This special edition is embellished with a remarkable hand-made decor on the back of the watch. To accomplish this, the artisans, watchmakers and engineers had to rework the movement of the original Academy Christophe Colomb model, and to house these decorations within the same 45 mm-diameter rose gold case, without affecting the precision or reliability of the watch. The challenge was to reduce the movement thickness and the spaces between the calibre and the adornments to an absolute minimum, and yet to find the points to which the applications could be fixed.
The dial side of the Zenith Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage II, reveals all of its three mechanical wonders in action. The high-frequency regulating organ of the El Primero movement is visible at 6 o’clock. The famous El Primero was unveiled back in 1969, but it still remains the world’s most precise series-produced chronograph. The barrel with fusée-chain transmission is located between 10:30 and 1:30, while the gyroscopic Gravity Control system occupies the lower portion of the dial. There are also three gold, finely guillochéd sub-dials (hours/minutes at 12 o’clock, small seconds at 9 o’clock, power reserve at 4 o’clock), each paired with traditional blued steel hands. The mainplate is openworked, and it reveals Zenith insignia in relief, surrounded by stars. The Gravity Control system has also been hand-decorated with micro-painted depiction of the Southern hemisphere.
The back of the watch provides a layered portrayal of the Colomb’s adventures, artfully rendered by the hand of the Manufacture’s best decorators. The system of gold appliques is hand-painted by the images depicting Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America in 1492 – the “discovery of the Indies”. It portrays the famous Italian explorer waving the flag of the Spanish monarchy, surrounded by palm trees, while two natives offer him exotic fruits. The backdrop reveals an image of a parrot, deep blue ocean, and three famous ships - Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria.
The very core of the watch is the ultra-precise El Primero 8805, hand-wound movement, which oscillates at 36,000 vibrations/hour, and has an ability to measure time with tenths of a second precision. A fusée-chain transmission system is added to equalize the uneven pull of the mainspring as it runs down, while a patented Gravity Control module diminishes the effects of gravity on the rate of a watch. The highly complex movement features no less than 939 individual components – the 354 for the calibre, the 173 for the Gravity Control module, and as much as 583 parts for the fusée-chain system.
The limited edition Zenith Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage II is made of 18-karat rose gold and it measures 45mm in diameter. The case itself measures 14,80mm in thickness, but if we measure it together with its domed sapphire crystal, it adds up to 21,80mm. The watch is water resistant to 30 meters, and it provides around 50 hours of power reserve. It comes mounted on a brown alligator leather strap with rose gold triple folding clasp, and in an equally exceptional presentation box made of mahogany. The box features ox bone inlays, and it doubles as a humidor for 80 cigars. The box is adorned with a screen-printed motif on parchment-style papyrus reproducing Waldseemüller’s planisphere (1507), the first world map to mention the name “America”.
Zenith Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage II, reference number 18.2215.8805/36.C713, is available in 10 pieces worldwide.
Author: Marina Milojevic Pinterest
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