This October Zenith puts extra emphasis on women with two meaningful releases – the Chronomaster Original in a new version and the DEFY Midnight Pink Ribbon edition. Discover them with us.
In the past years women have increasingly demanded originality, technical and aesthetic excellence in timepieces. We started our ‘Girls don’t just wanna have fun’ series back in 2013, in which we select and showcase mechanical and artistic timepieces that were especially designed for women and others that come alive on spirited ladies ‘ wrists.
Although the world is not going to be a better place because of these pieces, the trends in many industries – including fine watchmaking – have been showing the shift of how women perceive themselves, very well. And hopefully this could shed light on even more important issues. Being socially and environmentally responsible has slowly become a core brand purpose – especially for those who want to target the new generations. Millennial and Gen Z customers are looking to identify and connect with a luxury brand’s values and they are much more selective in their choices than any generation before.
Some brands are releasing products for women with some charity aspects, like donating some part of the sales or creating a special campaign around it. While others are keen to support important initiatives or organisations which are dedicated to women or which are created by women – like the Tory Burch foundation (with the goal of empowering women entrepreneurs by providing access to capital, education and digital resources), the Kering Foundation (to combat violence against women) or Stella McCartney (supporting The Women’s Cancer Research Fund, Breast Cancer Foundations and many more).
DREAMHERS & two reinterpretations of the Chronomaster Original
Established in 2020, Zenith DREAMHERS is a platform where visionary, independent and inspirational women from different professions can share their views with likeminded women. Zenith dedicated a global campaign to the initiative – that highlights those women who have pursued their passion and ‘reached their star against all odds’.
This fall Zenith organised an event in Madrid with some of the DREAMHERS and a panel discussion about women in the 21st century and the need for change towards more inclusiveness and equal rights. The discussion was broadcast live on social media. Among the Zenith DREAMHERS that participated in the inaugural physical event were contemporary artist Teresa Juevas, chef Amandine Chaignot, professional ballerina Precious Adams, fashion retail pioneer Ghizlan Guenez, influencer and beauty entrepreneur Laura Noltemeyer and former Miss Switzerland and medical professional Laetitia Guarino.
On the occasion of the event Zenith presented two new versions of the 38mm steel Chronomaster Original – both set with 56 diamonds on the lugs and 9 diamonds for the hour markers. One model has the Zenith’s signature tri-colour dial with chronograph counters in the distinctive shades of grey and blue is replaced by a similar but brighter palette entirely rendered in mother-of-pearl. White mother-of-pearl was used for the dial, two shades of blue for the chronograph counters and grey mother-of-pearl for the constant seconds.
The second model plays with nice earthy tones – three hues of taupe-brown in tri-colour layout against a satin-white dial. Both versions of the Chronomaster Original are paired with soft calfskin leather straps in either light blue or taupe with tone-on-tone stitching.
The new Chronomaster Originals house the latest generation of the renowned automatic chronograph calibre, the El Primero 3600 with 60 hours power reserve. It beats at the same high frequency of 5Hz (36’000 VpH) as its predecessor, though its performance has been elevated to offer a 1/10th of a second chronograph function.
Breast Cancer Awareness
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month all around the world – an annual initiative with the symbol of a pink ribbon and the pink colour to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. The focus is on accelerated research, providing information, education and support.
Zenith continues support the movement by creating a unique Defy Midnight for Pink Ribbon Switzerland’s annual charity auction. (The Defy Midnight a great timepiece in Zenith’s regular collection – I tried it on here)
The Defy Midnight Pink Ribbon edition has a faceted 36mm stainless steel case with interchangeable straps (this time a steel bracelet, a white rubber strap with pink leather and a black rubber strap with a velvet effect).
The dial has a very nice gradient pink colour and a starry sky pattern. A star motif appears also on the seconds hand but of course, the brand’s star emblem is the brightest of them all. The date indication is at 3 o’clock, all the other hours are marked with 11 VS brilliant-cut diamonds. The bezel is set with 44 pink sapphires of varying shades that are arranged to match the gradient effect of the dial and the pinkish colour mood of dawn.
This year, the 11th annual Pink Ribbon breast cancer gala will take place at the Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich on 30 October. Numerous Swiss artists and personalities will be attending, with presenter Sven Epiney hosting the evening’s various activities. A silent auction will be held during the gala dinner, where several one-off items will be sold to help finance breast cancer studies for young patients of the ‘International Breast Cancer Study Group’, one of the few research projects that focuses on early detection of breast cancer in a younger demographic of women.
This unique Zenith DEFY Midnight will also be offered for sale.
Photo credits: Loupiosity.com
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