Zenith Vintage Gentleman's Night: Global debut of the 'Legend of COHIBA' cigar-themed watch

　　As an advocate of vintage gentleman's culture, Swiss watchmaking master Zenith held its first annual Vintage Gentleman's Night in Shanghai as scheduled. Gentlemen and ladies in vintage attire moved through the venue, as if stepping into a modern world where the old and new blend. That evening, Zenith, in collaboration with the legendary Cuban cigar brand COHIBA, launched the new Zenith El Primero 'Legend of COHIBA' watch globally, paying tribute to this legendary Cuban cigar brand. The new watch is a culmination of excellence, precision, and professionalism, tightly linking Zenith and COHIBA; the former is a Swiss watchmaker with over 150 years of innovation and professional heritage, while the latter is the world's most prestigious cigar brand. At the Vintage Gentleman's Night, guests not only appreciated the classic charm of legends from different fields but also fully enjoyed the rich sentiment of the vintage gentleman.

　　In this modern night,Zenith watchand COHIBA shone brightly. When the vintage gentleman met Cuban flair, all guests felt as if they were at an endless party in Havana in the 60s—a country that is sincere, passionate, and naturally suited for parties, filled with stars, music, dancing, and the Prado Avenue, taking us through a modern world where the old and new blend.

　　As loyal fans of Zenith's vintage gentleman style, the tough-guy actor Hu Jun and the elegant gentleman Wang Yaoqing also arrived at the party. Boxer Zou Shiming, a champion who usually dominates the ring, brought his beloved wife, revealing the tender nature of a family-oriented gentleman. Whether it was the vintage bow tie, exquisite cufflinks, or the stylish patterns on their suits, everything interpreted their understanding of the vintage gentleman's spirit. To recreate Zenith's legendary watchmaking style across eras, the venue was decorated with great care: gentleman's hats as if from a 50s film, vintage grooming by Truefitt & Hill, and classic black-eight billiards. These elements, combined with COHIBA cigars and heavy motorcycles, placed people in that golden age of style and taste. Guests could not only see professional master craftsmen from Zenith and COHIBA demonstrating the exquisite skills of movement assembly and hand-rolling cigars on-site, but also taste various fine wines from Hennessy and admire a 1920 Jaguar vintage car that drove in from that era—it was a tropical time belonging to the mambo swing rhythm. Hemingway once praised the Mojito on the streets of Havana, and Kennedy once lingered for authentic Cuban cigars... Countless legends of the era connected with Havana during that time, leaving a heavy mark. The reappearance of numerous classics also highlighted a strong sense of vintage gentleman sentiment.

　　Undoubtedly, the newly released Zenith El Primero Legend of Cohiba cigar-themed watch is the star of the party. It is powered by the brand's iconic, world-renowned high-frequency chronograph movement, the El Primero (frequency 36,000 vibrations per hour, with an accuracy of 1/10 seconds). Moving away from its classic light grey, charcoal and blue tri-colour palette, it adopts the colours of Cohiba cigars. The 42 mm rose gold case is engraved with the year 1966. The small seconds sub-dial at the 9 o'clock position is adorned with the portrait of the Taino chief, the emblem of the Cohiba cigar factory.

　　The dial not only showcases the delicate golden veins of a tobacco leaf but also incorporates the iconic ring design of Cohiba cigars. This striking ring, originally used on cigars to indicate their diameter, has become a signature of Cohiba. When the legendary ring lines run straight across the dial, it is not only eye-catching but also emphasises the watch's broad and imposing presence. The watch is paired with a brown alligator strap featuring orange and yellow lining and is presented in an exclusive wooden box, finished in the same colour as the legendary Habanos cigars.

　　Zenith Global CEO Aldo Magada stated at the event: "Zenith is honoured to partner with Cohiba. Cohiba is not only the most outstanding cigar brand under Habanos but also represents a relentless pursuit of product excellence—a spirit highly consistent with Zenith's own dedication over the past 150 years."

　　Just as Zenith is a pioneer in the field of high-end watchmaking, the Cohiba brand is an avant-garde representative among the many brands under Habanos. Cohiba cigars are handmade with long-filler tobacco and are highly sought after by discerning connoisseurs, representing the absolute pinnacle of quality. "These are two legendary brands with similar histories, both built on uniqueness and innovation, sharing a common vision: to provide excellence to our customers," said Javier Terrés, Vice President of Development at Habanos.

　　Zenith has always believed that legends are born from their times, and times shape legends. As a leader in the traditional luxury watch sector, Zenith insists on manufacturing its own movements entirely. This not only serves as proof of extraordinary quality but also marks its place in history, providing Zenith with the foundation and capability to interpret the vintage gentleman's spirit through its timepieces.

Related reading:

What kind of replica watch is suitable for a 40-year-old man?

Ding Junhui becomes Zenith global brand ambassador