The 10 movements chosen for this very limited edition belong to the years of “serial victories” between 1950 and 1954, when the 135-O won the competition five years in a row – an unprecedented and unequaled feat. They have been prepared for competitions and perfected throughout the year by Zenith’s Chronometry Laboratory.
These 10 movements were award-winning in Category 1 and were all set by renowned Zenith timekeepers Charles Fleck & René Gygax, who worked on the award-winning movements five years in a row and cemented Zenith’s reputation as the undisputed leader in precision chronometry.
Entrusted to Kari Voutilainen, the restoration and finishing of these historic movements have taken them from the status of raw competition pieces to that of very high-level haute horlogerie creations.
Alexandre Ghotbi says: “ These calibers were designed for competition. They weren’t made to be worn or to look good. So if we wanted to make a wristwatch from this legendary caliber, who should we ask to take it to an even higher level? Our choice immediately fell on Kari Voutilainen. He is an absolute master. »
True to its original era, the Caliber 135 Observatoire draws inspiration from older production wristwatch versions of the Caliber 135. Yet unlike anything in the past, the Observatoire limited edition draws inspiration of several references from the 1950s by combining the most emblematic details with contemporary touches.
The 38mm round platinum case features tapered lugs that fit perfectly under the bezel, as well as an oversized notched crown bearing the modern Zenith star logo. Beneath the “glassbox” type sapphire crystal (which reinforces the vintage spirit of the piece), the slightly domed black dial in solid silver from the Comblémine workshop of Kari Voutilainen features a guilloché engraving in a pattern of fish scales.
Triangular indexes and polished appliques in rhodium-plated nickel silver and solid gold hands are juxtaposed; the oversized seconds counter at 6 o’clock bears the serial number of the movement, testifying to the unique nature of each of these watches and the way in which they were meticulously regulated by the venerable chronometer makers Charles Fleck or René Gygax, then transmitted to the extremely skills of Kari Voutilainen and his dedicated team of watchmaking artisans.
The bottom of the dial bears the “Neuchâtel” signature, as Zenith, Kari Voutilainen and the historic Observatory where Caliber 135-O competed and won during the golden years of chronometry competitions are all located in the canton of Neuchâtel.
Cleaned and carefully finished by the master watchmaker restorer, the aesthetic of the historic movement has been refined with chamfered and hand-polished edges on the gilt bridges, bevelled and polished screw heads, circular-graining on the mainplate, blueing on the pawl wheels and crown and much more.
For the first time in the history of Caliber 135 and certainly for the “O” variant, the observatory chronometer movement, decorated and finished by Kari Voutilainen, is visible through a sapphire caseback.
The Caliber 135 Observatoire comes in a walnut wooden box with brass ties, inspired by the containers in which the calibers of the chronometry competition were transported from the Zenith manufacture to the Neuchâtel Observatory when they competed for a first prize. at the time. It contains a leather case in the form of a book housing the watch as well as the historical wooden transport box of the movement.
This limited edition is sold exclusively by Phillips.