Zenith kicked off celebrations to mark its 150^th anniversary and launched a mammoth anniversary book at Baselworld 2015, the world’s most famous watch and jewellery show.

The celebrations were launched by Jean-Claude Biver, President of the LVMH Watch Division and CEO and President Aldo Magada, with the manufacture describing the upcoming 12 months as a year of “experiences, events and watchmaking innovation”.

Since 1865, the Swiss firm says it has built its story around “ordinary heroes and extraordinary characters”, pointing out that few brands have “had the privilege of meeting Blériot, Gandhi, Mucha or the Rolling Stones; of voyaging through stories whose narratives create history like breaking the sound barrier and crossing the globe from pole to pole, or accounts of thrilling races on the high seas and behind the wheel of collectors’ cars”.

All this and more is recounted in the anniversary book.

Written by Joël Duval, a passionate watch collector, this livre-objet, which comes in a luxury case, tells the story of the manufacture in 400 pages and 650 illustrations, most of which have never been seen before. 

Published by Éditions Albin Michel, it will be available on March 26. 

As Magada presented its history and heroes, he also said that the accent is “firmly on the 150 years to come”.

Zentih, he said, will continue its adventure with Austrian daredevil Félix Baumgartner who in 2012 skydived 39 km from the stratosphere and became the first man to exceed the speed of sound in free-fall, reaching a speed of 1,357.6 kmph.

Baumgartner undertook his daredevil dive while wearing Zenith’s El Primero Stratos Flyback Striking 10th chronograph, and the manufacture hints that Félix’s recent experiences as a driver could be an avenue in which their partnership continues. 

In the field of racing, Erik Comas will continue to fly the flag for Zenith.

Formula 3 champion in 1988 and F1 driver from 1991 to 1994, since 2000 Comas has been earning himself a distinguished place in the historic car championships behind the wheel of his Lancia Stratos. 

As official Zenith partner, he is set to compete in the Italian and European championships from April to September 2015.

French football legend Eric Abidal, along with his Foundation, will be the next personality to join forces with the manufacture. 

This new partnership marks the start of a brand new chapter and Zenith says it will be “investing in areas it has not yet explored”.  

Baselworld runs in Basel, Switzerland, until March 26.