Zenith is a watch company that likes to wear its heart on its sleeve as well as its stunning El Primero watches. On September 7th and 8th, Zenith participated in the ninth edition of the Hearst Castle event as part of the Best Buddies International Challenge, the second time the manufacture has participated in the event.
Zenith, noted as the inventor of the legendary El Primero movement, has shown a consistent interest in noble causes dedicated to the advancement of humankind, including through supporting research, exploration as well as sporting accomplishments and scientific progress. This ongoing commitment has led to Zenith being the official timekeeper for the philanthropic organisation Best Buddies International.
Best Buddies International is a non-profit organisation dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment and leadership training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The 9th Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, took place on September 7 and 8, 2012.
More than 1,500 people participated in the Challenge – a charity walk, run and ride to benefit Best Buddies International. Maria Shriver, Anthony Shriver’s sister, who serves as honorary chair of the event, is a journalist and published author who is also the former first lady of California - a state where she launched the WE Include Initiative dedicated to promoting employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The Challenge kicked off with the “Entertainment Tonight” Best Buddies Golf Challenge, presented by Zenith Watches, at the legendary Tehama Golf Club in Carmel on Friday, September where legendary actor and director Clint Eastwood is a regular player. During the Golf Challenge, Best Buddies participants teed off alongside celebrities, professional athletes and special guests.
The day concluded with an evening VIP reception hosted by Maria Shriver. After a full day on the course, participants, VIPs, sponsors and supporters were invited to the Tehama Clubhouse to enjoy the finest California culinary creations and wines.
Zenith earned its place in watch making history by developing the first integrated automatic chronograph movement in 969. The world’s most accurate mechanical series-made calibre, beating at a frequency of 10 vibrations per second and thus capable of measuring 1/10ths of a second, gave rise to El Primero chronograph.
Like all El Primero movements, it beats at the exceptionally high frequency of 10 vibrations per second (or 36,000 vibrations per hour) and can thereby measure 1/10ths of a second. This new chronograph movement with an approximately 50-hour power reserve comprises 248 parts and features meticulous finishes, visible in particular through the famous dial opening – revealing the beating heart of an exceptional movement and representing another characteristic Zenith innovation.
On Saturday, September 8th, hundreds of cyclists took to the starting line at Quail Lodge Golf Club for the 100-mile ride down the Pacific Coast Highway from Carmel to San Simeon. The Challenge, which was open to people of all ages and abilities, is designed to showcase the Best Buddies mission in action. There was also a choice of 62, 30 and 15-mile cycling routes, as well as the Carl Lewis Challenge, a 5K run/walk led by the Olympic gold-medalist himself.