This week’s auctions in Geneva are attracting great attention than most previous years thanks to the stunning success of the Only Watch charity sale that set a world record price of CHF 31 million for a brand new Patek Philippe wristwatch.
With the city packed with collectors and press, it is a sensible time for Zenith to remind people that 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the invention of the automatic chronograph El Primero movement, and the company hosted 300 guests at a gala dinner to celebrate the milestone.
Horology author and writer Nick Foulkes and Zenith CEO Julien Tornare told the story of the El Primero and introduced two Zenith El Primero limited editions designed by auction house Phillips, one in yellow gold with a black and champagne dial limited to 20 pieces, the other in stainless steel with a white and orange dial layout kept to 49 pieces.
The following day, a unique Zenith El Primero made in platinum and designed by Phillips was sold at auction during the Geneva Watch Auction: X.
The uniqueness of the wristwatch prompted lively bidding that ended with the hammer dropping at CHF 250,000 ($250,650), a new world record price for a Zenith.
Proceeds from the sale are being given to Zoé4Life, a charitable organisation dedicated to the well-being of children with cancer.
