The highlight of this year’s must-attend auction for watch aficionados and collectors from around the world was when the gavel fell for the highest bid on the one-off El Primero chronograph. The first and only Zenith A386 reference to be made of platinum, this unique El Primero was designed by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Zenith’s history-making timepiece. The exceptional moment was all the more noteworthy as the proceeds went to benefit Zoe4Life, a Swiss non-profit that is part of the Childhood Cancer International network. The event crowns the Zenith El Primero 50th Anniversary celebrations throughout 2019, which included a World Tour across 5 continents – culminating in a gala show on the eve of the auction – to celebrate the first automatic integrated chronograph in watchmaking history introduced by Zenith in 1969.
The gala event held on the eve of the auction at Geneva’s fabled La Réserve resort on 8 November presented the perfect occasion for setting the stage. The select circle of around 300 guests, great collectors, friends and journalists were invited on a fascinating tour of the year 1969 moderated by none other than Nick Foulkes, author and horological connoisseur of taste extraordinaire. Julien Tornare, CEO of Zenith, peppered his account of the extraordinary journey behind the making of the El Primero legend with memorable anecdotes. If the show performed by Romain the Illusionist had everybody spellbound in their seats, the standing ovation for the makers of the El Primero made for a truly magical experience as well.
An especially touching moment: Charles Vermot, the man without whose engineering genius and determination there would be no El Primero, was represented by his son Michel who graciously accepted the applause. It was the perfect lead-in for the pièce de resistance: the unveiling of the one-off 50th Anniversary El Primero in platinum by Zenith CEO Julien Tornare and Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant of Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo, auctioned at The Geneva Watch Auction X. Met with the same applause moments later was this announcement by Julien Tornare: the proceeds of the winning bid at the auction would go to Zoe4Life, a Swiss non-profit that is part of the Childhood Cancer International network.
Amid the cheers came the encore: Aurel Bacs took center stage to present two Zenith El Primero limited editions designed by Phillips, one in yellow gold limited to 20 pieces, the other in stainless steel kept at 49 pieces. Together, the production runs of these two exclusive watches created for the renowned auction house rarities in creations add up to 69 pieces, in reference to 1969, the year the legend was born.
Julien Tornare, CEO of Zenith said: “All of us at Zenith are so proud to be part of the still unfolding legend that began 50 years ago with the first (El Primero!) automatic integrated chronograph in watchmaking history. As we set out at the beginning of 2019 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of an icon, we never imagined the interest and goodwill that would come our way.
Working with the passionate team at Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo, and seeing the vision of an El Primero worthy of this historic moment become reality was a uniquely rewarding experience for all of us at Zenith. Just as the simple and wonderful fact that the star of Zenith could also shine for a cause as important as helping kids battle cancer through Zoé4life,”
Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant Bacs & Russo and Alex Ghotbi, Head of Watches, Continental Europe and Middle East jointly declared: “It was an absolute honor to have been contacted by Julien Tornare, CEO of Zenith Watches who announced that he wanted to entrust Phillips with the sale of a unique El Primero in celebration of the iconic movement’s 50th anniversary and whose proceeds would be given to Zoé4Life, a charitable organization dedicated to the well-being of children with cancer.
The cherry on the cake was when we were invited to Le Locle to participate in the creative and design of the piece, an eye opening endeavor that enabled us to experience the talent and passion of the Zenith management and design teams and learn about the complexity and challenges that watch manufactures come by day to day. We are incredibly proud to have been associated with this incredible project for a worthy cause.”
