There has been a surge in luxury and fashion brand collaborations in the last few years. It is now the turn of Zenith and Fusalp to jump on the trendy train with the release of two distinct capsule collections of watches and apparel. A duo of monochromatic black and white ceramic Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton watches are launched alongside a collection of ski wear.
The story of Fusalp is intimately linked to the Alps and French skiing. Born in 1952 in Annecy, the brand made a name for itself by revolutionising skiwear, creating the first technical stirrup pants that were worn by the French ski team in the 1960s. Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, Fusalp is not just about looking sleek but also about innovative functionality. On this one-of-a-kind collaboration, Zenith CEO Julien Tornare commented: “This is an exciting new kind of partnership for Zenith, and one that is very close to our hearts. More than just a fashion House, Fusalp are an innovator. Their never-ending quest to produce highly technical yet fashionable clothing is something that Zenith totally relates to.”
For this capsule collection, Zenith and Fusalp elected the sporty-chic Zenith Defy Classic fusalp dressed for the occasion in black or white ceramic. This Defy contemporary design comes in a versatile 41mm size. The dynamic case is all about layered and contrasting lines with a raised circular bezel set on a slightly angular tonneau-shaped base. The domed sapphire crystal has anti-reflective treatment on both sides, and the watch is water-resistant to 100m.
The Defy Classic Fusalp features a new openworked dial offering a view of the architecture of the movement. Its motif combines the Zenith five-pointed star logo with a snowflake motif incorporated into its design. At the periphery of the dial, the luminescent faceted indexes are fitted to the outer chapter ring. These seem to be floating over the dial, which adds to the sense of depth. The red-white-blue Tricolore is another nod to Fusalp as one of the brand’s recurring design elements. The date is displayed at 6 o’clock and blends nicely into the intricate design – the whole skeletonised date wheel is actually visible behind the dial.
Inside the Zenith Defy Classic fusalp is the automatic calibre Elite 670 SK, a staple in Zenith’s movement line-up for years. This modern skeletonised version of the movement features a silicon escape wheel and lever. Measuring 25.60mm in diameter, it runs at 4 Hz, and it has a 40-hour power reserve. The Elite calibre is also visible via the exhibition caseback (emblazoned with the Fusalp logo and the caption “one of 100” or “one of 300”, depending on the version). It comes with a star-shaped oscillating weight with satin finishes which contrasts beautifully with the dark grey movement.
The Zenith Defy Classic fusalp comes on a matching coloured rubber strap perfectly integrated into the case. For the collaboration, it has a fabric-like texture made of concentric rectangles. It is secured by a folding buckle.
The Zenith Defy Classic Fusalp watches are released in two limited editions of 100 pieces in white ceramic and 300 pieces in black ceramic that will be available at Zenith’s physical and online boutiques as well as in a selection of Fusalp boutiques. The price is set at CHF 10,900 for the white version and CHF 9,900 for the black version. For this winter-ready collaboration, Fusalp also tailored a capsule collection of ski wear for men and women, specifically designed around the watch. The sporty-chic Fusalp x Zenith ski jackets have a cool trick up their sleeves – literally. Designed for the occasion, their “storm cuff” sleeves feature a zippered opening to be able to wear and view your watch between the outer shell layer and the soft, fine knit fabric underneath.