Subtle aesthetic details such as the stepped double-godrooned case, the sword-shaped hands, as well as the barleycorn and wave guilloché dial patterns on the Zenith Academy Zero-G expresses the dedication to fine craftsmanship.
The El Primero 8801 self-winding 43-jewel calibre powering the Academy Zero Gravity Tourbillon comprises a rotor in 950 PT platinum, as well as a 160-part gyroscopic carriage with 10 conical-geared wheels and 6 ball bearings. Like all Zenith El Primero movements, it naturally beats at the frequency of 36,000 vph, and offers a 50-hour power reserve.
Moreover, just as the gyroscopic tourbillon offers a new twist on a device invented over two centuries ago, this tribute to horological tradition is enlivened by a number of original modern touches provided by the asymmetrical arrangement of the displays. The off-centred hours and minutes at 11 o’clock and the “Zero-G” Tourbillon module at 5 o’clock form the outline of a figure 8, a universal symbol of good luck and infinity; while the small seconds appears at 7.30 almost diagonally opposite the distinctively placed crown at 2 o’clock. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal plates on the front protect and enhance the visibility of the multi-layered dial and its multiple indications along with the Zero-G module; while the transparent exhibition case-back ensures an optimal view of the stunning intricacies of the movement in operation.
