Continuing Zenith’s DEFY releases for LVMH Watch Week 2023 is now the brand’s DEFY Extreme Glacier. Based on Zenith’s DEFY Extreme collection, this Glacier edition is a timepiece made to brave the elements no matter how far off the beaten path venture off to. As the name suggests, Zenith sought to create watches that highlight the harsh environments that the DEFY Extreme was destined for. Previously in 2021, Zenith released the DEFY Extreme Desert. Now a polar opposite, Zenith 2023 is releasing the DEFY Extreme Glacier, a model inspired by frozen barren landscapes.
The 45mm titanium case of the DEFY Extreme features chalcedony on the protective chronograph pushers and bezel. Chalcedony is a crystalline semi-translucent stone with a pale blue hue reminiscent of frozen glaciers. Each stone is cut and polished by hand, with each stone also showing different colours and fibrous structures. Like carbon fibre, this makes each of the 50 DEFY Extreme Glacier timepieces unique.
Like the previous versions of the DEFY Extreme models, the Glacier comes with a skeletonised dial where the four sub-counters have a transparent sapphire crystal with a frosted finish to allow the movement underneath to be partially seen. This frosted sapphire crystal is meant to show the image of a layer of ice that allows light to pass through.
The hour and minute hands, hour indices and sub-counter hands all have superluminova for that added visibility during low-light conditions. To break up the icy/snow look while adding a level of contrast to the dial, the minute track is done in black with white markings. To complete the icy conceptual look of the DEFY Extreme Glacier, Zenith is offering the watch in a white rubber strap. If, however, this is not to your taste, a titanium bracelet or durable black velcro strap is also an option for this timepiece.
The DEFY Extreme Glacier comes equipped with the El Primero 1/100th of a second automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre that is standard for DEFY Extreme models. This movement features two regulating organs which beat at 50Hz for the chronograph and 5Hz for the standard timekeeping. The movement can be seen from the open case back and, of course, from the skeletonised dial.
The Zenith DEFY Extreme Glacier blurres the lines between precision watchmaking and wearable art. Limited to 50 pieces worldwide, the Zenith DEFY Extreme Glacier is available exclusively at Zenith physical and online boutiques.
