FROM THE EDITORS Letters + Events
The Zenith Defy
Inventor, which
features a one-piece
silicon oscillator
vibrating at 18 Hz, or
129,600 VpH.
Michael Thompson
HISTORICAL INSPIRATION
A
Editor-in-Chief | [email protected]
nniversaries are always the start of some type of celebration. It turns out we love to remind ourselves about that time X
number of years ago when we did something good, interesting, life-changing or influential.
And why not? Celebrating a high point from the past is not only a reminder of a very particular good or important idea or
event, the recollection itself can inspire those who are open to learning from history.
WATCH COMPANIES, AS YOU ARE QUITE AWARE, frequently look to their It turns out that the 36,000-vph frequency of the original El Primero was just the
history for inspiration when considering future products. And while too often starting point for Zenith. As Zenith CEO Julien Tornare explains inside, the Zenith
companies use the past as a crutch by barely revamping proven designs or only Defy Lab and the newly launched Defy Inventor (clocking in at 129,600 vph)
mildly updating proven technology, once in a while we see much more. trace their lineage directly to the 1969 El Primero.
Zenith has clearly learned much from its historic El Primero, which it launched Speaking of speed, this Summer 2019 issue is also our annual look at the rich
(teamed with Movado) in 1969. As we explain inside this issue’s cover story links between watchmaking and motorsports. We’ve got updates about many
starting on page 54, the groundbreaking high-rate automatic chronograph has in watches familiar to those who love racing, and a look at a few watches with
recent decades truly inspired the Le Locle watchmaker. surprising links to high-speed pursuits.
Yes, the El Primero A384 Revival pictured on our cover is an updated revamp As a reminder, all these updates can also be found online on our primary
of one of the original models the El Primero powered in 1969, but let this nicely iwmagazine.com website as well as on our various social media channels. There,
realized heritage piece serve as a reminder that Zenith in recent years has you’ll also find all International Watch issues available digitally.
learned much during the past five decades, most notably regarding new, high-
rate oscillators.
6 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | SUMMER 2019
Regards,