Movement of the Year". Under Jean-Frederic Dufour tenure as CEO, the company decided to replace the Elite movement in their entry-level wristwatches with a more economical Sellita movement, and further develop a double-barrel version of the Elite for higher-end models. Upon Dufour's departure to Rolex in 2014, incoming CEO Aldo Magada reversed this decision, and the Elite is still being built by the company today. The first wristwatches to include the movement were released in a similarly named Elite collection, which remain a feature of the present-day collection. Additionally, the movement has been a feature of the Defy collection. Chief Executive Officer The current CEO (and President) of Zenith is Julien Tornare, who was named into the role in April 2017. Prior to joining Zenith, he was the Managing-Director for Asia-Pacific at Vacheron Constantin, a company he was a part of for 17 years. Mr. Tornare grew up in Geneva, Switzerland, and while he was surrounded by some of the greatest names in watchmaking, he didn't gain an appreciation for watches until he joined Raymond Weil at the age of 25. Mr. Tornare is currently married and has three children. Previous CEOs Jean-Claude Biver (LVMH) - January 2017 to April 2017 Aldo Magada (LVMH) - July 2014 to January 2017 Jean-Frédéric Dufour (LVMH) - June 2009 to April 2014 Theirry Nataf (LVMH) - October 2001 - April 2009 François Manfredini (LVMH) - November 1999 - October 2001 Paul Castella (Dixi) - 1978-1999 Photo gallery Notable patrons and owners Mahatma Gandhi owned a Zenith pocket watch with alarm function, which was given to him by Indira Gandhi, the 3rd Prime Minister of India. On March 5, 2009, the pocket watch along with some of Gandhi's other personal belongings were auctioned by Antiquorum in New York, altogether fetching US$2,096,000. The leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Abdullah Öcalan had a Zenith watch when he was detained by the Turkish authorities. See also List of watch manufacturers Manufacture d'horlogerie References External links Zenith official website Manufacturing companies established in 1865 LVMH brands Swiss watch brands Watch manufacturing companies of Switzerland Le Locle Luxury brands Companies based in the canton of Neuchâtel Swiss companies established in 1865 1999 mergers and acquisitions