Introduction

There are watches out there that last one or, perhaps, two years;featuring the most advanced tech materials available which we buy simply as they remind us of our favorite sportsman or event or because they just make us dream. Other ones do not follow any trend yet, do boast a classic design, have no thrills and as it is with a good bottle of Chianti wine, become better and better as time goes by.

I don’t believe I’m  wrong, however, when I assert that it is quite easy to associate a ZENITH Captain to the concept of the classic three hand rounded case with central second timepiece. I inherited a couple of them, both on near mint condition and featuring those unmistakable dauphine hands and baton indexes. This is a historical collection from the ZENITH maison, something the true brand aficionados cannot get along without.

ZENITH has slightly changed the rules, this year, by unveiling a special edition of its Captain timepiece, the ZENITH Captain Central Second Boutique Edition. Those who follow the brand are already aware that the manufacturer is launching various limited edition timepieces and selling them exclusively at its boutiques spread around the globe. The Captain makes no exception.

The ZENITH Captain Central Second Boutique Edition is mainly a ZENITH Captain with Arabic numerals replacing the classic baton indexes. It features a 40mm wide case which, usually, represents the maximum size for such a classic timepiece (at a 8,15mm case thickness) and has a nice blue matte central second hand.

Its case, with the exception of the lugs, is so nicely mirror polished that the bezel has no distortion. The case back, mirror polished as well, is secured  to the case by 4 tiny screws and has a transparent sapphire crystal which gives full view to caliber Elite 670, automatic, with 50 hours of Power Reserve, the balance wheel that vibrates at 4Hz and the oscillating weight Cotes de Généve finished, with the bold ZENITH star logo on it.

The ZENITH Captain Central Second Boutique Edition is the modern addition to the Captain collection and is being proposed at a price tag below 5000€, which is fair since you are buying a timeless watch, high end finished , powered by an in-house movement and produced in limited number.

(Photo credit: Horbiter®)

Gaetano C. @Horbiter®