Zenith Coffee House Tales (x): A jewel from Zenith: the Academy Tourbillon Perpetual

Dec 14, 2014,12:56 PM
 

It took a while (click!), but here we are again: Miss R made a clear mistake when she asked me (after I finished taking shot of another high end Zenith watch I shall feature soon) whether I would like to see a second special piece - and produced the Zenith Academy Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar:



THJJOONKKK!!

After I collected my lower jaw from the table and gave myself a slap in the face I my physical parameters were again set into watch-drroling mode. Its a complicated watch with a tourbillon and a perpetual calendar, elegantly integrated into the subdials of the automatic chronograph:



The tourbillon is Zenith's signature construction with an eccentric balance wheel. The bridge over the escapement (El Primero-based, 36.000 bhp) is similarly designed as the barrel bridges of the Academy Georges Favre-Jacot:






The chronograph/calendar subdials clearly deserve a closer look: Weekday & minute counter...






Month (doubles as leap year indication also) as well as date & permanent seconds counters:



Zenith also really managed to design a set of sumptuous hands - its pure sexiness how the hand points towards her end, with the little 'bow' at the very extreme: 



But what really make the watch for me is this simply out of the world dial: Generous in size, with few finishings very aptly applied, with superbly accentuated layers, and then this absolutely addicted hours ring with its slightly convex shape:



This hours ring is what in my opinion makes this watch so desirable, so irresistible, so - wow!



The image above also nicely illustrates how case and dial are made for each other - and with each other. Both elements have a well-defined appeal on their own, but only in combination they grow to their full potential. Both leave room for the other to shine. Really, this shows great class!




On the back side a very familiar view with some added spice: The Zenith caliber El Primero 4033, with its 492 parts. Hand-finished, as this belongs to the Atelier collection.






For those long-term Zenith aficionados: do you spot the difference?






Wrist- time - finally. I think there is not to say much. Which means a lot as the watch delivers all its promises I noted above:







45mm rose gold which actually feel superb!




Bottom Line:

With the Zenith Academy Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Zenith created a watch aimed at seasoned collectors. Sure it has its flashy moments (i.e. a tourbillon opening), but even with this it is a refined and restrained watch which reveals its true excellence only on the wrist.

It is a watch for relaxed moments of pleasure. Those are rare, particularly with this mix of complications which is all to often used to shout out 'I am complicated!'. This Zenith is but the company has chosen to let the watch tell only those who have leisure and quiet to appreciate such a piece in all its features.

Let the romance begin!



Thanks for reading,
Magnus


Our location: We made an exception to the rule: no coffee house, all the way up to find an environment worthy of the watch: the lobby of the Park Hyatt Vienna, only recently opened after years of comprehensive restoration:




 
This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2014-12-15 07:22:37


More posts: Academy

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

What I just did is...

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : December 15th, 2014-13:25
that I collected my lower jaw from the table and gave myself a slap in the face Lovely piece I can only imagine what it looks and feels in reality Thank you for wonderful pictures my friend Sincerely Damjan

Look and feel in reality - mesmerising. I overlooked it first...

 
 By: Ornatus-Mundi : December 17th, 2014-02:23
but then Miss R really pushed me to it. Apparently she knows me well ;-) Cheers, Magnus