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Romance is in the air, the new release Zenith Elite Moonphase Romeo y Julieta edition

A bit of Shakespeare anyone? For all you lovebirds out there, this is something special. Today we are introducing a special release, the Zenith Elite Moonphase Romeo y Julieta edition models for men and women that have been inspired by Habanos´ Company’s Romeo y Julieta cigars.

Romance is in the air, the new release Zenith Elite Moonphase Romeo y Julieta edition

A bit of Shakespeare anyone? For all you lovebirds out there, this is something special. Today we are introducing a special release, the Zenith Elite Moonphase Romeo y Julieta edition models for men and women that have been inspired by Habanos´ Company’s Romeo y Julieta cigars. 

Zenith continues its collaboration with the Habanos´Company into 2020 to create a whimsical, romantic reinterpretation of the timeless Elite Moonphase watch. This follows the release of the newly revamped, unisex Elite collection that we have covered here

Zenith Elite Moonphase Romeo y Julieta edition
Image courtesy ©Zenith

Like we said in our earlier article about the Elite collection, one of the best things about this new collection is the radiant sunburst pattern against minimalistic design of the cases. This new this beautiful layout of the dial even further, producing watches that are an absolute delight to just look at. 

“Zenith has the immense pleasure of returning to Havana with our dear friends at Habanos for a new chapter in our partnership, which is all about celebrating the finer pleasures in life. With Romeo y Julieta, we have conceived a special his and hers set of watches that highlight the timeless beauty of our Elite collection and the enduring appeal of Romeo y Julieta’s exquisite cigars, as well as Zenith’s commitment to creating inimitable ladies’ watches unique in their kind.”

Julien Tornare, Zenith CEO. 
Zenith Elite Moonphase Romeo y Julieta edition
Image courtesy ©Zenith

Habanos´Company 

The brand was established back in 1875 and these watches celebrate its 145th anniversary. Romeo y Julieta is actually an existing line of extremely popular cigars. In-fact, it is one of the most revered names in the world of Cuban cigars. 

Fun-fact: Between 1885 and 1900, the Habanos´ Company won numerous awards at different tasting exhibitions, which the brand honours as medals on its logo. 

“We have always said that our relationship with Zenith is marked by the emotion that unites our brands, and we are proud to witness the series of unique watches that are the result of the alliance of these two icons of luxury. In 2016, it was the time of Cohiba, the most prestigious Premium tobacco brand in the world, with which we started this partnership, reaffirmed with new special editions of Zenith watches for Cohiba in 2017 and 2018. Then it was the time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our Trinidad brand in 2019, and Zenith surprised Habano collectors and lovers with 3 unique watches. Today, at the dawn of the new decade, it is the time of passion, of living every second with intensity. That’s why Romeo y Julieta and Zenith have come together, so that we appreciate every moment that we carry this exclusive watch in our hands while enjoying this magnificent Habano”.

José María Lopez, Habanos Vice-president of Development

The Inspiration

Besides deriving their name form the cigars, the Elite Moonphase Romeo y Julieta edition watches have in-fact also been inspired by the actual tale written by Shakespeare. And it is this inspiration that truly sets this watch release apart.

  1. The double hemispherical moonphase complication is set against a deep yet radiant blue sun-ray-patterned dial with a gradient effect on the men’s “Romeo” version and a gradient red dial on the women’s “Julieta” version, embellished with the Romeo y Julieta logo. 
  2. The uniquely executed moonphase display depicts the two lovers in an eternal chase across the night sky, with their faces as drawn in Romeo y Julieta cigar boxes meticulously laser-engraved onto each of the two silvery moons. 
  3. Instead of a traditional arch-shaped opening on the dial to display the moonphase, Zenith has opted for two round apertures to keep the sun-ray-pattern of the dial intact.

The additional design features 

Crafted in a 40.5mm “Romeo” stainless steel case and a 36mm “Julieta” stainless steel case with 75 diamonds set into the bezel, these special Elite models are offered with alligator leather straps in colours matching the dial, while the colours of the lining are inverse. 

The Elite Moonphase Romeo y Julieta models will be limited to 145 units in commemoration of Romeo y Julieta´s cigar brand 145th anniversary. 

The Versions

Elite Moonphase Romeo comes on a 40.5mm diameter stainless steel case watch that features a stunning night blue gradient with solar pattern dial, and the Romeo and Juliet moonphase complication. 

The reference number for this version is 03.3101.692/02.C861. 

It features a night blue alligator leather strap with protective red alligator lining on a stainless Steel pin buckle.

Elite Moonphase Julieta comes on a 36mm diameter stainless steel case featuring a mesmerising red gradient with solar pattern dial, and the Romeo and Juliet moonphase complication along with a diamond studded bezel. 

The reference number for this version is 16.3201.692/04.C860.

It features a red alligator leather strap with protective blue alligator lining on a stainless steel pin buckle.

Zenith Elite Moonphase Romeo y Julieta edition
Image courtesy ©Zenith

The Specifications 

The heart used in the Moonphase range — Elite 692 — is a self-winding automatic ultra-thin movement powering a moonphase indication and featuring crown-adjusted moonphase indication & stop second mechanism. It beats at the frequency of 4Hz (28’800 A/h) allowing for a decent 48 hour power reserve.

The watch face shows the functions of hours and minutes in the centre, small second at 9’o clock, and the moonphase indication  featuring Romeo and Juliet at 6’o clock. The hour markers and the sharp and slim hands are rhodium plated and faceted. The bezel on the Juliet version has 75 VS brilliant-cut diamonds (~0.60 cts).

The water resistance is an okay 50m (5 ATM) on all versions.

Zenith Elite Moonphase Romeo y Julieta edition
Image courtesy ©Zenith

Watch Ya Gonna Do About It? 

Zenith has again reached for the stars with this limited edition release. In terms of use, we would say these are definitely daily wearers. These ones will appeal to both men and women. All of these new watches can be either dressed up or down, and to include such versatility in a watch design, is impressive. 

If we were to pick a watch collection and say this is the perfect watch for couples to share without looking tacky, we would highly recommend the new Zenith Elite Moonphase Romeo y Julieta edition collection.

Zenith seems to be taking advantage of the often untouched market of unisex watches and by introducing these new Elite watches with a focus on an unisex collection, Zenith is looking at potentially cornering this niche market of unisex watches.

The romance is in the air, with the new release Zenith Elite Moonphase Romeo y Julieta editions.

For more information of these watches and other Zenith watches, head to their website here

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