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FeatureThe Highlights Of The Zenith Defy Collection That Break Barriers

Featuring timepieces such as the ultra-precise Defy El Primero 21, the contemporary Defy Classic and the path-breaking Defy Inventor, Zenith’s Defy collection has always tried to and succeeded at reinventing the art of watchmaking

Priyam Bagga October 24, 2019

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Founded by Georges Favre-Jacot all the way back in 1899, Zenith has come a long, long way since then. And it sure has been eventful, with the brand releasing numerous horological offerings over the years that present sheer watchmaking innovation, while also catering to a wide variety of tastes.

Zenith-Defy-El-Primero-21-Classic-Skeleton-Inventor — In its 120-year history, Zenith has managed to capture imaginations time and again with its innovative horological offerings. Seen here is Zenith’s Defy El Primero 21, an homage to the pioneering El Primero movement of the 1960s

However, if one were to identify one collection that best exemplifies the brand’s spirit of innovation and watchmaking excellence, it would certainly be the Defy line. This assortment of extraordinary timepieces has not only been able to uphold Zenith’s traditions that are steeped in superlative timekeeping, but defy them as well—through a bold look towards the future in terms of materials, design and technology.

Zenith Defy

This well-maintained balance between the past and the present has evolved into some stunning timepieces that are positively enviable on the wrist, even by today’s high watchmaking standards. Every single timepiece that is a part of the Defy collection is a true vision of craftsmanship, precision and durability. Let’s take a closer look at the three most impressive branches of this marvellous collection, which have redefined craftsmanship and precision: the Defy El Primero 21, the Defy Classic and the Defy Inventor.

The Zenith Defy El Primero 21

It’s only right that we start with the range that owes its design to Zenith’s enterprising and inventive history—the El Primero 21. Zenith’s El Primero movement was first introduced in 1969. Translating to ‘the first’ in Spanish, this was the very first integrated automatic chronograph movement to hit the market.

Zenith Defy

The El Primero movement was able to measure timing with an unprecedented precision of 1/10th of a second because it beat at a whopping 36,600vph (vibrations per hour), or 5Hz. The history of this watch is fascinating and definitely worth a read, for it is a momentous era in the world of watchmaking that should be celebrated as a time of stiff competition, which resulted in unparalleled innovation.

Zenith Defy

The brand introduced the world to the Defy El Primero 21 in 2017, which was a reimagining of the El Primero movement for the 21st century—a time when even 1/10th of a second didn’t seem precise enough. This mind-boggling chronograph is capable of measuring 1/100th of a second, all thanks to the COSC-certified El Primero 9004 automatic calibre. The movement has a separate mainspring and balance wheel for the 1/100th-of-a-second timer. The timekeeping escapement beats at 36,000vph, while the second escapement, which powers the chronograph, vibrates at a staggering 50Hz or 3,60,000vph! When the chronograph is activated, the central hand completes a rotation every second, making 100 stops along the way, which cannot be seen by the human eye!

This magnificent movement provides the wearer with a minimum power reserve of 50 hours. With a 44mm case size, this chunky chronograph has a bold, masculine look that is hard to match.

Read more about this remarkable timepiece here

The Zenith Defy Classic

What is known as a simpler member of the Defy collection—though one look at it would make you wonder if perhaps the definition of ‘simple’ has changed—the 41mm Zenith Defy Classic is an unconventional sports watch that grabbed eyeballs when it was launched in 2018. And its modern aesthetic and superior inner workings still have the attention of watch collectors the world over.

The open-worked dial has a modern, avant-garde appearance, with its star motif, which looks to be inspired by the brand’s emblem. In general, skeleton dials tend to look a bit busy, but that is definitely not the case here, as the watches sport bold hands and lume-covered hour markers that stand out well. There is also a date window at six o’clock.

Powered by the Elite 670 SK automatic movement beating at 28,800vph, which is visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, these timepieces offer one a significant 50-hour power reserve. True to their name, the timepieces have the quintessential ‘classic’ touch, which makes them perfect for those just starting to build their horological collections.

The Zenith Defy Inventor

The Zenith Defy Inventor was introduced at Baselworld 2019, and marked Zenith’s bold move to, once again, do what they do best—defy tradition. With so many innovations and inventions making up Zenith’s repertoire, it was only the next logical step for Zenith to outdo itself.

The in-house calibre powering this horological behemoth is the ZO 9100 calibre that vibrates at a jaw-dropping 18Hz (1,29,600vph)! This is as precise as it gets. It features the Zenith oscillator, which was first introduced in the Defy Lab—a 2018 prototype and predecessor of the Inventor. This Zenith oscillator—a single regulating component that performs the functions of the balance wheel, balance spring, and lever—is an ultra-thin silicon mechanism, which decreases friction and magnificently improves precision.

The highlight of the 44mm case, which is crafted in brushed titanium, is, of course, the movement that is displayed in all its intricate glory. The Zenith star can be seen here too, defiant in blue. The bezel is created in the LVMH-patented Aeronith—the lightest aluminium composite in the world—which makes the watch look futuristic and captivating. This timepiece is definitely meant for those collectors looking to own a piece of the future of horology.

Read more about this timepiece that breaks the mould here

Final Thoughts

The Zenith Defy collection has proven that for watchmakers to forge ahead, they do not need to discard their past. Horological offerings can take cues from a brand’s legacy, and use them to propel them forward into the future. Being defiant, irreverent, but paying tribute to the glorious heritage of the brand has always been the Defy collection’s distinctive approach. Only time will tell what traditional watchmaking norm the manufacture is going to challenge next!

Explore the entire range from the Zenith Defy collection