Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Hurrican Grand Voyage II timepiece is an expression of ultimate craftsmanship

Watchmaker Zenith is celebrating its 150th anniversary. In tribute to the legendary explorer Christopher Columbus, Zenith has introduced one of its most fascinating watch creations, dressed in a truly stunning attire. The Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage II is writing a new chapter in the history of Haute Horlogerie according to Zenith. The unique nature of the complex mechanism is matched by an exceptional exterior and decoration. Delicate expressions of top-flight artisanship, engraving and micro-painting showcase the full measure of Zenith’s virtuosity in creating horological works combining technical refinement with magnificent artistry. Technically, the Academy Christophe Colomb remains unchanged, but its appearance has been considerably redesigned.

zenith-academy-christophe-colomb-hurricane-grand-voyage-ii-5This timepiece, which has no fewer than 939 components, is a real demonstration of the expertise of Zenith, both technically and artistically. With a self-regulating gyroscopic mechanism mounted on gimbals, which neutralizes the effects of gravity and a rocket-chain system that ensures the regularity of the energy transmitted by the barrel, it is the most complicated watch from the manufacturer. The delicate applied figures are finely hand-engraved and then alternately patinated or adorned in dazzling colors. Behind them, sailing across a deep blue ocean, the three famous Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria ships stand out against the backdrop of a luminous sky. The entire scene is micro-painted by hand. The hand-engraved décor portrays the “discovery of the Indies” with an infinite wealth of details, notably in terms of the clothing of the natives, the feathers of the flamboyant parrot, and the crests on the Spanish flag. The case, in 18kt rose gold, measures 45mm x 14.8mm (21.8mm with domed sapphire crystal over the gyroscope). It has double AR-coated sapphire crystal and it is water resistant to 30 meters. Movement is the Swiss hand-wind Zenith in-house El Primero caliber 8805 with 53 jewels, 36,000 vph and a power reserve of 50 hours. The movement consists of 939 parts, with the chain made of 585 parts and the gyroscopic carriage composed of 173 parts. It comes on a brown alligator leather strap with an 18kt rose gold triple folding clasp. The watch will debut at the 2015 BaselWorld.

[Via – Time-Zone]

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Sayan Chakravarty, a Senior Writer at Luxurylaunches, brings over 10 years of automotive journalism expertise. He provides insightful coverage of the latest cars and motorcycles across American and European markets, while also highlighting luxury yachts, high-end watches, and gadgets. An authentic automobile aficionado, his commitment shines through in educating readers about the automotive world. When the keyboard rests, Sayan feeds his wanderlust, traversing the world on his motorcycle.