Zenith El Primero Tourbillon Chronograph Black Dial Black Leather Men's Watch 03.2050.4035/21.C714

Cliches often don't stand up to the test of history, and those that would have us believe that watches are essentially men's business have certainly got it all wrong! During the first centuries of horological history, they were worn on long chains called chatelaines, as cuff-watches, and on long sautoir necklaces. Later, they were attached to handbags, belts... and to the wrist. Quite clearly, timepieces have always appealed to women.

When Georges Favre-Jacot founded the first large watch manufacture in 1865, by bringing together under one roof in Le Locle the entire range of watchmaking professions, he displayed an equal interest in both genders. His visionary idea of thus uniting the skills of numerous artisans served to optimise research and development in the field of horological mechanisms and thereby to provide the most accurate possible movements and the most pleasing watch cases for both him and her. Dials were crafted from mother-of-pearl or stones and mechanisms were miniaturised in order to create genuine pieces of jewellery telling the time, and consistently placing technical skill in the service of beauty. Throughout its history, Zenith has loved women just as much as women love watches, and has thereby succeeded in enriching watchmaking with vibrant colour and feminine delicacy.

Witness a letter addressed by Countess Anna de Noailles in 1912 to the company director regarding her Zenith watch. This author, who became the first woman to be named a commander of the prestigious french Legion of honour and was an eminent figure within early 20th century parisian literary circles, expressed fulsome praise for her "charming watch" that she "wore with great pleasure". In an exquisitely poetic manner, she managed to find just the right words to describe the perfect blend of technical and aesthetic considerations embodied in Zenith's ladies' timepieces: "the delightful and salutary agate surrounds the most practical and visually pleasing dial one could possibly imagine."

Zenith Heritage Ultra Thin Lady MoonPhase

Doubtless because it expresses a subtle blend of technical performance and aesthetic beauty, the moon phase is perhaps one of the most feminine and poetic of all horological complications. Equipped with the ultra-thin elite movement, the model presented by Zenith in 2011 features the precision of a classic alexandrine, along with the freedom of romantic verse. Set against the backdrop of its mother-of-pearl dial background, its diamond-pave hour-markers and crown enhance a precious jewellery model that radiates understated elegance for evening wear, and sophisticated chic for daytime. Its small seconds subdial at 9 o'clock and its moon-phase display at 6 o'clock lend a classic touch to its subtly asymmetrical design and combine with the modern glow of rose gold to create a timeless, refined and eminently desirable timepiece. Graced with a mother-of-pearl, guilloche silver-toned, chocolate-toned or glacier blue dial, the variations harmonise with the colours of the wristband, while a particularly precious evening dress model with a satin strap and a full-set dial rounds out the range. A rich variety of versions conveying a single vision: that of a delightfully feminine watch.

El Primero 36'000 VpH 38mm Lady

In 2011, the manufacture Zenith is writing a new chapter in the saga of its enduring romance with the fair sex. The world's most precise movement, the legendary El Primero, appears within a 38 mm case perfectly suited to women's wrists. Its excellent performances are governed by its balance oscillating at the rate of ten times a second, meaning considerably faster than usual - just as a heart beats faster when in the grip of a powerful emotion. The high-frequency automatic chronograph and the tachometric scale are intended for women of action, but also of elegance and refinement: the chocolate-toned dial and chestnut brown crocodile leather strap are in entirely in harmony with the rose gold case and hour-markers. The delicately diamond-pave bezel and lugs further enhance the sensuality of this model. The date appears between 4 and 5 o'clock. Whether in steel grey or glacier blue dial versions with a mother-of-pearl base or pave hour-markers, and even fitted with a metal bracelet, the different variations provide a broad spectrum of combinations that is matched only by the many styles of wear that are bound to be explored by their future owners.