Zenith Defy 21

Zenith luxury uses a violet-coated movement to explore new colors.

In addition to the classic black and silver, colors are more fashionable than ever in the watchmaking industry. Watch brands have widely used blue, salmon or green as the driving force for their watches. However, the remaining color is rarely used in watches: violet. Violet is the most frequent visible color (according to the concept of perceivable light), which has proven to be a perfect match for the ultra-fast high frequency 1/100 of the second-speed El Primero movement. Meet the new Zenith Defy 21 Ultraviolet

Violet has a frequency range of 700 THz to 750 THz (in addition to invisible light, also known as ultraviolet light-more than 750 THz). Among all the colors that make up the visible spectrum, violet has the highest frequency. Zenith Defy 21 has a dual escapement system, one beating at 5Hz and the other at an ultra-fast frequency of 50Hz. It is the highest frequency chronograph in conventional production. Dynamic combination of fast frequencies! In the watchmaking industry, this is the first time that an automatic chronograph movement has been treated with purple, vivid and vibrant tones-this is a bold statement that certainly does not suit everyone’s preferences.

The basis of this new Ultraviolet version is the modern and innovative Zenith Defy21. With its tonneau-shaped case and modularity (the watch has been manufactured in multiple versions, most of the materials are called watchmaking), the brand’s vision for sports watches. The case looks large, with a diameter of 44 mm and a height of 14.50 mm, but due to the integrated lugs and ergonomic strap attachments, it looks good and comfortable. In sharp contrast to the vivid violet color, the case is refined with matte, micro-sandblasting and monochromatic titanium, presenting a dark gray with almost no reflections.

The dial of the Zenith Defy 21 Ultraviolet is a triple-compound chronograph (which still has its particularity), which combines low-key elements, matte gray and closed sub-dials. There is no material around these counters, revealing part of the movement and its bright colors. For example, one of the two regulators is visible at 7.30. The hands and minute hands are both faceted and rhodium-plated, and the hollow watch is very readable. The display consists of the central hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock and a linear power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock. The chronograph transmits information through the 60-second register at 6 o’clock, the 30-minute register at 3 o’clock and the central seconds hand. The second hand performs a dial rotation every second – super fast, super smooth and capable of measuring 1/100 second .

This unique precision of the recorded elapsed time is the result of extensive work on the iconic El Primero movement, which has been highly modified to meet 21st century standards. The timing part of this automatic chronograph movement is still regulated by the iconic 5Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour) escapement. However, the brand has added a second escapement here, which is only responsible for the adjustment of the chronograph-when the chronograph button is pressed, the cam lever mechanism meshes with the auxiliary gear train. The escapement beats at an amazing 50Hz frequency (360,000 vibrations/hour). This movement has a power reserve of 50 hours (when the chronograph is not in use) and has passed the Time Lab certified chronograph. Violet coated star-shaped rotor is exposed on the back.

To match the bold appearance of the watch, the Zenith Defy 21 Ultraviolet is worn on a black rubber strap with violet inserts, imitating the appearance of woven textiles. It is secured by a micro-sprayed titanium double folding clasp.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – ZENITH DEFY 21 ULTRAVIOLET

Case: 44mm diameter x 14.50mm height – microblasted titanium case – sapphire crystals front and caseback – 100m water-resistant

Dial: special openworked dial with matte grey closed chronograph registers – markers and hands rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova

Movement: calibre El Primero 9004, in-house – chronometer-certified by TIME LAB – automatic – 32.80mm – 53 jewels – 50h power reserve – dual regulating organ, one for timekeeping (36,000vph or 5Hz), one for the chronograph (360,000vph or 50Hz) – hours, minutes, small seconds, linear power reserve, chronograph with 1-second central hand (measuring the 1/100th of a second), 60-second and 30-minute counters

Strap: violet fabric effect and rubber strap – microblasted titanium double-folding clasp

Reference: 97.9001.9004/80.R922