Zenith reinvents an award-winning calibre with Elite 6150
Swiss watch luxury brand Zenith crafts the Elite 6150 that is equipped with the modern interpretation of its ultra-thin calibre that earned the title “Best Movement of the Year” at Baselworld in 1994
In response to the demands of contemporary times, the Zenith engineers and developers have chosen to enhance the performance of its first-rate calibre, as well as its versatility by means of a raising it to 100-hour power reserve, a broader 30 mm diameter, along with a central sweep-seconds hand. They have also been careful to preserve the exceptionally slender nature of a movement measuring a mere 3.92 mm thick. Driven by the new Elite 6150 calibre, the Elite 6150 model is distinguished by its classicism and its understated elegance. Its slim 42 mm-diameter case frames a pure, cambered dial punctuated by sleek, graceful hands.
With the Elite 6150 model and its new Elite calibre, Zenith returns to the very roots of the traditional expertise cultivated by the House. Determined to perfect its proven qualities and to deploy its virtually unlimited potential within its collections, the Manufacture has therefore undertaken to raise the profile of the Elite calibre. Aside from doubling its power reserve and retaining its thin nature, another notable modification is that the seconds, formerly displayed in a subdial at 9 o’clock, are now displayed by a central direct-drive seconds hand, thereby ensuring improved amplitude, precision and reliability. Thus powering central hour, minute and seconds hands, the Elite 6150 calibre beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.
Meanwhile, the first timepiece to house the new Elite calibre is the Elite 6150 model that features an entirely redesigned ultra-thin case of which the 42 mm diameter, a first for Zenith and to become a new benchmark size for the brand. The pure, restrained design of this case expresses the care devoted by the Manufacture to a process of constant self-renewal, driven by a will to endure and to pursue a quest for essentials. This new ultra-thin steel case redesigned in a pebble shape features slim, flowing lines accentuated by tapered, slightly sloping lugs. Water-resistant to a depth of 30 metres, the case of the Elite 6150 reveals through its transparent back the mechanism in motion and the steady dance of its oscillating weight delicately adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif.
The timeless classicism of this timepiece exuding an inherent sense of elegance continues on the display side with a cambered silver-toned dial punctuated by extremely slender baton-type hands. In a striking trompe-l’oeil effect, the long, slender hour-markers hollowed out to form delicate grooves create a distinct sense of depth. These subtle refined touches are matched by a rubber-lined alligator strap fitted with a comfortable triple-blade folding clasp.
In unveiling this new Elite 6150 calibre, Zenith reaffirms the brand’s determination to honour its status as a Manufacture and heralds the renewal of its range of “in-house” movements. This contemporary evolution of a sturdy and accurate historical calibre embodies a solid and lasting foundation for future variations and developments.
