Zenith
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The House of Zenith
Georges Favre-Jacot founded Zenith in Le Locle in 1865 with a then radical idea: bringing every watchmaking craft under one roof in a single manufacture. That integrated approach has earned the house more than 2,300 chronometry prizes, among the most in Swiss watchmaking.
In 1969 Zenith unveiled the El Primero, the first high-frequency automatic chronograph calibre, still beating at the heart of the Chronomaster today. The modern collection pairs that legacy with the architectural Defy and the flight-instrument heritage of the Pilot line.
Latest Zenith Arrivals
Where to Find Zenith
Zenith is available through authorised stockists across South Africa. Enquire and our team will confirm availability at a stockist near you.
Zenith Service in South Africa
Picot & Moss operates the sole authorised Zenith service centre in South Africa. Every Zenith piece we sell carries the full international manufacturer warranty.
Our master watchmakers handle Zenith battery replacement, movement testing, water resistance restoration, cleaning and polishing, using genuine Zenith parts. Track every repair from drop-off to collection.
Assistance
Your Questions, Answered
What is the Zenith El Primero?
The El Primero, unveiled in 1969, was the first high frequency automatic chronograph calibre, and it remains Zenith's defining invention. Modern versions in the Chronomaster Sport and Defy Skyline Chronograph measure elapsed time to a tenth of a second, read directly off the bezel.
Which Zenith collection is right for me?
The Chronomaster is the home of the El Primero chronograph, from the tricolour Sport to the vintage proportioned Original. The Defy is Zenith at its most architectural, faceted steel cases and star patterned dials. The Pilot is the instrument watch, built on aviation heritage the house has owned since the very beginning.
Why is Zenith famous for pilot's watches?
No watchmaker owns the word like Zenith: the manufacture trademarked the French Pilote in 1888 and the English Pilot in 1904, then equipped aviation's pioneers, including Louis Blériot, first across the English Channel in 1909. Today's Pilot collection keeps that instrument legibility at the centre of the design.
Can I try the watch on before I decide?
Yes, and you should. A watch reads differently in the metal: the weight in your hand, how the bracelet drapes, how the dial catches the light. A private appointment at our Sandton, Cape Town or Durban boutiques lets you wear it, set it against other pieces on your own wrist, and take your time with a specialist. No obligation, no hurry.
Is Picot & Moss an authorised Zenith retailer in South Africa?
Yes. Picot & Moss is an official authorised retailer and service centre for Zenith in South Africa. Every watch carries the manufacture's international warranty, with certified servicing and genuine parts handled in Sandton, Johannesburg.
