Fusing the technical prowess acquired over decades of pioneering within their respective industries, Swiss watchmaker Zenith and French luxury skiwear brand Fusalp have collaborated on a collection designed to take to the slopes in style.
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Brought together by a shared passion for technical innovation and contemporary design, Zenith and Fusalp have created a collection that comprises two bespoke watches and a chic winter wardrobe. Embodying the spirit of innovation and penchant for distinct style that is core to both the Le Locle watchmaker and the Annecy tailor, the Zenith x Fusalp collection coincides with the 70th anniversary of the latter — founded in 1952.
Both brands have been at the forefront of innovation within their fields. In 1968, Zenith introduced the El Primero, the world’s first automatic chronograph movement. Two years prior to that, in 1966, Fusalp created the first competition ski suit, with the French national ski team going on to win seven gold medals at the Portillo Alpine World Championships that year.
“This is an exciting new kind of partnership for Zenith, and one that is very close to our hearts,” said Julien Tornare, CEO of Zenith. “More than just a fashion House, Fusalp are innovators. Their never-ending quest to produce highly technical yet fashionable clothing is something that Zenith totally relates to.”
The collaboration uses the Zenith Defy Skeleton Classic as its foundation, selected for its unisex nature, sporty chic aesthetic, and striking open dial. The updated dial design unites the universes of both brands, retaining Zenith’s signature five-pointed star while adding a snowflake that nods to Fusalp’s alpine heritage. Available in black or white, each watch features a rose gold lower open layer surrounded by a ring in the French tricolour hues of blue, red, and white.
The rubber strap also takes on a sartorial tone, imprinted with a fabric-like structure with a raised motif consisting of concentric rectangles. Available in two limited-edition variants, 300 pieces of the black ceramic case and 100 pieces of the white ceramic cases have been produced.
Accompanying the watches is a capsule collection of skiwear for men and women, designed by Fusalp based on the Zenith Defy Classic Sekelton Fusalp watches. The black and white palette is maintained, with an array of soft, stretchy fabrics that use technical fabrics to ensure warmth while eschewing the bulkiness typically associated with ski clothing. The quilting design uses the same graphic linear motif found on the rubber watch straps and each piece in the collection is emblazoned with a co-branded logo that consists of a superimposed star and snowflake.
Specially engineered to allow you to view your watch without rolling up your sleeve, the Fusalp x Zenith ski jackets feature a first-of-its-kind ‘storm cuff’. The storm cuff sleeves have a zippered opening that allows your watch to be worn between the outer shell layer and the fine knit fabric underneath, so you can check the time while staying warm.
The Zenith Defy Classic Fusalp watch is available in select Zenith physical stores and via the Zenith webstore. The Zenith x Fusalp skiwear collection is available via the Fusalp webstore.
Words by T. Angel
