2021 Zenith Defy Extreme Revealed

The latest unveiling for Zenith this week is the newest addition to the brand’s prestigious DEFY line. The Swiss brand is all about innovation and pushing the boundaries of form and function, and they have done just that with the latest release of the DEFY Extreme collection. This new design, coming in three different colour variations brings together the iconic skeletonized dial of the DEFY 21 models with a more rugged look. 

Sébastien Gobert, Designer at Zenith states that “The character of the Defy Extreme comes from its sharp titanium case, faceted and carved like a boulder in a storm. We wanted to make the DEFY design even more futuristic and assertive.”

Design:

The new DEFY Extreme has been beefed up from standard DEFY models, with the latest collection now featuring a slightly larger 45mm case size, sharper lines, and more pronounced edges on the casing. There are also additional components now that protect the pushers and the screw-down crown. The durability such as the water resistance has also been enhanced. The DEFY Extreme models coming with a water resistance of 200m, which as Zenith states “is an impressive feat for a cutting-edge chronograph with a display case back”.

Another striking new feature is what’s placed under the bezel. A twelve-sided ring is fixated under the bezel which then extends down to the twelve-sided case back. Three case types with different materials are offered as varying options to suit different tastes. These include matte micro-blasted titanium, a brushed, polished, and micro-blasted titanium, and lastly matte micro-blasted titanium with polished rose gold. 

The dial features Zenith’s groundbreaking 1/100th of a second chronograph calibre, and the manufacture has designed the dial in a way to enhance the legibility while also allowing a good view of the movement. The dial features two escapements beating at 36, 000 VpH for the normal timekeeping and another escapement for the chronograph, beating at a frequency of 360, 000 VpH.

The hour markers are extra-large and filled with Super-LumiNova for readability in dark situations. The dial for each watch is colour matched to the case and rubber strap. The mainplate and the oscillating on the caseback comes coloured in black for the micro-blasted titanium model, blue for the polished and micro-blasted model and gold for the polished rose gold model. 

Movement:

The movement used inside the new DEFY Extreme collection is Zenith’s own El Primero 9004 automatic. The movement offers small seconds at 9 o’clock position, 30 minute counter at 3 o’clock, the 60-second counter at 6 o’clock, chronograph power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock, and of course the 1/100th of a second chronograph feature. The El Primero 9004 automatic calibre offers a power reserve of approximately 50 hours. 

The DEFY Extreme models are equipped with the quick strap-change system and come with three different straps options; a micro-blasted or polished and satin-brushed titanium bracelet, a rubber strap with a folding buckle matching the case, and a very first for Zenith, a Velcro® strap that can be easily and precisely adjusted on the go, with the textile material perfectly suited for any situation.

Along with releasing this new DEFY collection, Zenith has also a suitable setting for it, by becoming the Official Timekeeper and Founding Partner of Extreme E. Extreme E is a new off-road electric racing championship.

In regards to this new partnership, Zenith CEO Julien Tornare states that “Building a green and sustainable future is something very much at the core of what Zenith is doing today and the reason why we began the ZENITH IS GREEN initiative two years ago. We are absolutely thrilled to join Extreme E as its Official Timing Keeper and Founding Partner. It’s exciting to be at the start of what will undoubtedly become the future of off-road extreme racing, while also bringing environmental issues to the forefront. When we conceived the DEFY Extreme, this is exactly the kind ofenvironment we envisioned for it: Innovative, off the beaten path and pushing the limits of performance to the extreme, where every millisecond counts and every racer can leave his mark.”

The new DEFY Extreme collection by Zenith is not only an excellent way of expanding the DEFY series but also helping the brand aim higher. 

Zenith Defy Extreme Specification:

• Case: 45mm (15.4mm Thickness)
• Case Material: Micro-Blasted Titanium, Polished Rose Gold
• Dial: Tinted sapphire with Blue/Black/Gold coloured Mainplate on movement
• Crystal: Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
• Water resistance: 200 meters
• Movement: El Primero 9004 Automatic, (2 escapements – one for the timekeeping and 1/100th second chronograph)
• Power reserve: minimum of 50 hours for the timekeeping and approx 55minutes for the chronograph
• Strap options: Microblasted Titanium Bracelet, optional rubber and velcro straps

Australian Retail Pricing: $25,900.00 in Titanium, $31,700.00 for Titanium and Rose Gold

Availability: May 2021

Enquire at local Authorised dealers:

• Brisbane – The Hour Glass, Monards (Gold Coast)
• Melbourne – Monards (Collins Street and Crown Casino), Gregory Jewellers and The Hour Glass
• Sydney – Hardy Brothers and Swiss Concept
• Perth – Barbagallo Watch