Le Locle / Geneva, 13 November 2025 – ZENITH has received the Chronometry Prize at the 25th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) for the G.F.J., a creation that reflects the Manufacture’s enduring dedication to precision and its longstanding contribution to the art of chronometry.
Since its founding in 1865, ZENITH has placed chronometry at the heart of its identity, earning a record 2 333 prizes in observatory competitions. The G.F.J., named after ZENITH’s founder Georges Favre-Jacot, carries this legacy forward with a refined balance of history and modern vision. At its core lies the Calibre 135, the most awarded movement in the history of chronometer trials, a legendary mechanism that defined the golden age of precision watchmaking.
Reimagined for ZENITH’s 160th anniversary, the Calibre 135 was approached as a dialogue between generations. Faithful to the spirit of the original, it has been carefully re-engineered to meet the highest standards of contemporary precision. Every element was refined with intent, from the oversized balance wheel and Breguet overcoil to the stop-second mechanism and extended 72-hour power reserve, ensuring the movement continues to embody its legacy as a benchmark of accuracy. Officially COSC-certified, it reflects the enduring harmony between technical mastery and artistic sensibility that defines ZENITH.
Encased in 39 mm of platinum, the G.F.J. pairs technical excellence with timeless elegance. Its deep lapis lazuli dial, speckled with natural golden inclusions reminiscent of a starry sky, is framed by a “brick” guilloché motif inspired by the façade of the Manufacture in Le Locle – a subtle tribute to the place where precision itself was born.
“Few movements in watchmaking history have defined precision like the Calibre 135. In reinterpreting this legendary calibre, our teams approached every detail with the utmost respect for its original spirit. Receiving the Chronometry Prize is a deeply meaningful recognition of both our heritage and our enduring commitment to the values that have guided ZENITH for over 160 years.”
Benoît de Clerck, CEO of ZENITH Watches.
Established in 2001, the GPHG celebrates the finest watch creations of the year and promotes the excellence of Swiss horology. Often regarded as the “Oscars® of the watch industry,” the 25th edition of the ceremony took place at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva, gathering leading figures of the watchmaking world, the international press, and collectors to celebrate the artistry and innovation that define haute horlogerie.
Through this recognition, ZENITH honors its past while looking ahead with purpose and humility, remaining faithful to its founding ideal: to create the perfect watch.
