Zenith Academy Review: The Tourbillon That Broke the Rules

In a world where hypebeasts chase Nautiluses and Royal Oaks, the quiet intellectual rebels have found their grail: the Zenith Academy. Reference 18.2210.4810/01.C713 isn’t just a watch—it’s a statement that you understand the difference between a movement and a machine. This is the tourbillon that doesn’t scream for attention; it earns it through engineering audacity and a dial that looks like a blueprint for the future.

Manufacture History

Founded in 1865 in Le Locle, Switzerland, Zenith has been a pillar of Swiss watchmaking. The brand is best known for the El Primero movement, the first automatic chronograph caliber, introduced in 1969. The Academy line, launched in the 2010s, showcases Zenith’s highest complications, including tourbillons and perpetual calendars, often in avant-garde materials like titanium and ceramic.

Movement: Caliber 4810

The heart of this watch is the in-house Caliber 4810, an automatic tourbillon movement with a silicon escape wheel and lever. It beats at 28,800 vph, offers 50 hours of power reserve, and features 31 jewels. The movement is beautifully finished with Côtes de Genève and hand-chamfered bridges, visible through the sapphire caseback. While not COSC certified, real-world accuracy is exceptional at +2 to +4 seconds per day.

Specs & Wrist Feel

The 45mm titanium case is lightweight and comfortable, especially on the black rubber strap with titanium deployant clasp. The skeletonized dial reveals the tourbillon at 6 o’clock and a power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock. Water resistance is 30m—enough for splashes but not for swimming. The watch wears larger due to the 52mm lug-to-lug, but the low weight makes it manageable for most wrists.

Investment Value

With an MSRP of $25,000, the Academy tourbillon holds its value well on the pre-owned market, typically trading between $18,000 and $22,000. It’s not a quick flip, but a solid long-term hold for those who appreciate horological craftsmanship. Auction history is minimal, as most sales happen privately.

Final Verdict

The Zenith Academy ref. 18.2210.4810/01.C713 is a tourbillon for the modern collector who values engineering over ostentation. It’s a watch that rewards close inspection and wears like a stealth fighter. If you want a piece that sparks conversation among connoisseurs without screaming ‘look at me,’ this is your grail.