Zenith launches Chronomaster Original three-date watch on LVMH Watch Days

Replica Zenith Watch Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar 03.3400.3610/38.C911

As the new year begins, Zenith launches the Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar at LVMH Watch Days in Miami. The new timepieces are streamlined, more stylish versions of the iconic traditional timepieces, and feature new movements.

With its harmonious dial design and easy-to-read information display, Zenith’s triple-date chronograph has been an important piece in the El Primero collection for decades. In fact, the El Primero automatic high-frequency chronograph movement originally released in 1969 was designed to accommodate triple calendar and moon phase functions. However, a direct chronograph was the preferred version, so the calendar version was initially shelved. But not for long.

The new Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar aims to take the world by storm once again. This best luxury watch is based on the blueprints of the original A386 from 1969 and features a 38mm case in its original proportions. The watch does not have a bezel like the original design and is powered by the El Primero 3610 automatic high-frequency 1/10-second chronograph movement. The watch vibrates 36,000 times per hour and, in addition to its chronograph function, offers a full calendar with day, date and month indications, as well as a moon phase display. The column-wheel chronograph movement has a 60-hour power reserve and is equipped with a stop-seconds mechanism.

Looking around the dial, you can see the 1/10 second readout on the outer edge, the 60-second counter at 3:00, the 60-minute counter at 6:00, and the small seconds at 9:00. There is also a central chronograph hand that rotates once every 10 seconds. The day of the week and the month are displayed symmetrically in the window above the counter.

The movement features a new star-shaped rotor with a satin finish, visible through the transparent sapphire crystal case back. A domed sapphire crystal protects the dial and features an anti-reflective coating for easy reading.

The fashion men watch is available in three versions, all available with a black calfskin strap or a three-row metal bracelet. One version has a silver opaline dial with black counters, the second version has a slate gray opal dial with silver counters, and the third version – perhaps my favorite – has an olive green toned Sunday pattern dial with Silver counters. Silver counter.

The success of the Zenith Chronomaster Sport

Zenith never fails to disappoint us with its updated models in each new release. In 2021, Zenith launched the avant-garde Zenith Chronomaster Sport watch, and it has achieved great success without any surprises. This award-winning Zenith watch reproduces the brand’s iconic blue, gray and anthracite overlapping subdials from the original A386 El Primero chronograph from 1969. It reminds us of the old golden age with state-of-the-art watchmaking technology.

Zenith Chronomaster The Zenith Chronomaster watch has gained fame among watch enthusiasts and professional experts, once again setting a new golden benchmark for luxury automatic chronograph watches.

The Birth of the Zenith El Primero Movement
Whenever we talk about the famous Swiss watchmaker Zenith, we always think of the brand’s iconic chronograph watches. The brand has been constantly breaking through the boundaries of mechanical timing accuracy.

With its famous Zenith El Primero movement, Zenith watches for sale has been at the forefront of precision timekeeping in the watch industry for decades. To this day, the Le Locle-based watchmaker still holds the world record for the Chronometer Prize. The first El Primero movement came out in 1969, a true milestone in the brand’s history.

Zenith El Primero is the world’s first integrated chronograph movement with high frequency and high performance. It operates at an exceptionally high frequency of 36,600 vibrations per hour (5 Hz), and the integrated chronograph inside records elapsed time to 1/10th of a second.

The revolutionary movement, which was born in the difficult period of the traditional watchmaking industry, successfully helped the brand survive the severe quartz crisis and set off a new wave for the watch industry. Since its launch, El Primero has become a key force in the success of the Swiss watch brand.

At present, most of the watches in the Zenith watch family use this powerful movement, and are equipped with the brand’s iconic sub-dial details. Incorporating high-quality components and stylish designs, Zenith watches are one of the best options to catch the eye for any occasion.

The launch of the Zenith Chronomaster sports watch
Zenith already had a number of beautiful timepieces powered by the El Primero and in 1994 released a specific line of chronographs, the Zenith Chronomaster. It was created as a series of high-end mechanical chronographs, including the brand’s strength and mastery of complex functions.

The Chronomaster models are launched as faithful re-editions of the brand’s most iconic models from the 1960s and 1970s. They are available in a number of different styles and configurations, including the most popular skeleton and open heart options.

The Zenith El Primero Chronomaster perfect replica watches showcases Zenith’s rich heritage and expertise in chronograph movements, always powered by its state-of-the-art movements. The latest Zenith Chronomaster Sports watches are no exception.

Released in 2021, the Chronomaster Sport is positioned as the pinnacle of the brand’s proficient sporty automatic chronograph. The Zenith Chronomaster Sport watch is equipped with the latest El Primero movement in increments of 1/10 second and the most advanced innovative technology. It has also won the “Chronograph Award” of the “Chronograph” Award at the 2021 Geneva Watch Awards.

Zenith is popular in the Chronomaster Sport series and has launched several new models in 2022. In addition to the high-end two-color and all-gold models, its stainless steel model with a three-color ceramic bezel has attracted much attention in the global market.

Features of the Zenith Chronomaster Sport
Equipped with the latest generation El Primero movement, this Zenith sports chronograph is crafted in a sporty and contemporary style. It cleverly combines the most iconic design elements of Zenith watches, such as three-color sub-dials, with the latest watchmaking technology. This complexity may be why collectors fall for it.

extraordinary movement
In short, this famous 1/10 El Primero movement is more accurate than other conventional chronographs that tick every 60 seconds. Its long red-tipped center sweep can be recorded in 1/10th of a second increments instead of one second. exact replica watches

To be frank, the Chronomaster Sport is not the first 1/10th chronograph in the industry, while Zenith itself and even other brands such as TAG Heuer and Longines have already had it. It’s also not the first 1/10th El Primero, as there was already a limited edition El Primero Striking released a decade ago, only 1969 of which were released. Also, it’s not the brand’s most accurate chronograph, as there was already a 1/100th chronograph in the Defy 21 collection released in 2018.

So what makes the new Chronomaster Sport so impressive and so much discussed? Its brand-new El Primero 3600 movement is the latest 1/10 movement fully developed by Zenith. It is not a limited edition and is now available. With exquisite craftsmanship and the latest watchmaking technology, this watch equipped with El Primero is recognized as the brand’s

The revival of the iconic sub-dial
In addition to the well-received movement, the integration of the retro replica small dial is also a highlight of this watch. The design of this new Zenith sports watch is influenced by the brand’s vintage models, including the Chronomaster Revival Manufacture Version and the Zenith Chronomaster A385 Revival. The 41mm Chronomaster Sport features the iconic El Primero subdial set: blue, anthracite and light grey, very similar to those of the vintage A386 model released in 1969.

Sophisticated case and bezel
The curves and facets of the 41mm case are further polished with attractive satin and mirror finishes, where shiny and matte parts flow seamlessly from lugs to bracelet links.

For the stainless steel standard version, the case is paired with a more scratch-resistant jet-black ceramic bezel. Its signature three-color sub-dial next to the look is more simple and balanced.

With the launch of the Chronomaster Sport collection, the brand showcased its most advanced and optimized El Primero movement and launched its fully equipped models. The Zenith Chronomaster Sport brings together all the best of the brand’s past and present. fake luxury watches

zenith

Defy Extreme Double Tourbillon

The Defy Extreme Double Tourbillon pushes Haute Horlogerie to the extreme

The DEFY Extreme Double Tourbillon represents the pinnacle of innovative Haute Horlogerie envisioned by Zenith. Not complicated for the sake of complication, but a real advance in high-precision chronographs, building on over 50 years of innovation and refinement of high-frequency automatic chronographs beginning with El Primero. It is constructed differently from other chronograph movements, with two separate tourbillons, the chronograph tourbillon completes its rotation in 60 seconds and the chronograph tourbillon completes its rotation in 5 seconds, making it one of the fastest tourbillons ever made , and the only 1/100 second chronograph, beating at an astonishing rate of 360’000 VpH. best swiss watch

Designed with durability and robustness in mind, the DEFY Extreme Double Tourbillon is ideally suited to house such a complex movement, with a solid angular case measuring 45mm wide and available in two styles. The first is made entirely of titanium, including the bracelet, with a mix of satin-brushed, polished and matte surfaces, while the second is made of carbon fiber with a sandblasted matte rose gold dodecagon case Ring and button protectors on black textured rubber strap. Its open dial with applied chronographs and tinted transparent sapphire elements offers an unobstructed view of the groundbreaking movement and its two tourbillon mechanisms with star frames.

It’s not just the movement’s exceptional performance and ultra-modern construction that make it an eye-catching highlight. A signature element of Zenith’s recent haute horlogerie creations, the movement is decorated with a modern and contrasting look, emphasizing its futuristic style. First, the open satin-brushed bridges of the movement are coated with a layer of black PVD. The edges of these bridges are then highlighted in rose gold to reveal the geometry of the bridges, a departure from traditional watchmaking decoration techniques. Replica watches oniline

The only Calibre 135-O Unique Piece watch in collaboration with ZENITH X Kari Voutilainen

ZENITH CALIBRE 135-O Unique Piece watch, reference 13.1350.135/35.C100 / diameter 38mm, niobium metal case / time indicator, small seconds / Calibre 135 manual winding movement, power reserve 40 hours / sapphire crystal , transparent bottom cover / waterproof 30 meters.

At the Phillips Geneva Watch Auction XVI, Zenith and Phillips launched the Zenith Calibre 135-O Unique Piece watch in collaboration with Bacs & Russo and independent watchmaker and restorer Kari Voutilainen. Equipped with a historic, award-winning chronometer movement, this exceptional piece features a niobium case and a salmon-colored guilloché dial, all of which will be donated to the Susan G. Komen® Foundation.

When Zenith and Voutilainen and Phillips launched the limited-edition Calibre 135-O platinum watch in the summer of 2022, it immediately caught the attention of discerning collectors and resonated widely. This is the first time that Zenith has put the award-winning movement of the golden age of chronometer competitions on public sale. Zenith and the brand’s heritage department have entrusted the renowned watchmaker Kari Voutilainen with the task of restoring a batch of Calibre 135-O movements and adding beautiful hand-embellishments to the best of his ability. These movements are invaluable. The Calibre 135-O Unique Piece is the 11th watch to be equipped with a movement in this series, and is distinguished by the only watch with a niobium case, a salmon-coloured guilloché dial, and Equipped with rose gold movement.

The auction of this one-of-a-kind watch by Phillips also marks a successful end to Zenith’s active support for the “International Breast Cancer Awareness Month” campaign this month. Prior to this, Zenith fake released the Chronomaster Original Pink watch, and donated a portion of the sales proceeds to the Susan G. Komen® Foundation and the MEET THE DREAMHERS theme event in Singapore to honor the brand’s support for the fight against breast cancer, the first A solemn commitment from the Frontline Breast Cancer Foundation.

Regarding the auction of this unique piece and Zenith’s full support of the Susan G. Komen® Foundation, Julien Tornare, CEO of Zenith, said: “Being able to collaborate again with Phillips and Kari Voutilainen is a great opportunity for a company we care deeply about. It is an honor for me to create something extraordinary for philanthropy. The Calibre 135-O Unique Piece is not only a highly retouched and priceless piece in Zenith history, it is our continued partnership with the Susan G. Komen® Foundation A symbol of determination and commitment to join hands in the fight against breast cancer. All proceeds from the auction of the Calibre 135-O Unique Piece watch will be donated directly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and we are very honored to continue to support the foundation’s activities in the future. I My sincere thanks to Phillips, Kari Voutilainen, and everyone who bid on this watch for their good deeds.”

Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant at Bacs & Russo, and Alexandre Ghotbi, Head of Watches for Continental Europe and the Middle East, said: “It is possible to continue our journey with Zenith and Kari Voutilainen with the launch of the 11th Calibre 135-O Unique Piece watch. , we are very proud. This timepiece features a unique niobium metal case and an attractive salmon-colored dial, with movement finishes echoing the dial color. This project has been a testament to the friendship between the three parties from the very beginning; Doing good deeds is a really good way to end this journey.”

Kari Voutilainen added: “The Zenith Calibre 135-O Unique Piece, with its stunning salmon-coloured dial, has a unique history behind it, with a unique case and dial that will be unique now and in the future. , incomparable.”

The movement chosen for this unique rarity stems from the “winning streak” era of 1950-1954, when the Calibre 135-O won the Neuchâtel Observatory’s precision timekeeping competition for five consecutive years without any success. Humans can match. The movement was carefully prepared and improved by Zenith’s chronometer laboratory (Laboratoire de Chronométrie) for a whole year, and it was adjusted by chronometer experts. This movement has won the first prize and was adjusted by Zenith chronometer masters Charles Fleck and René Gygax. These two master watchmakers have devoted themselves to the development of award-winning movements for many years, cementing Zenith’s reputation as a pioneer in precision timekeeping.

The Calibre 135-O Unique Piece is a one-of-a-kind watch with historical significance. Inspired by many classic masterpieces of the 1950s, it combines characteristic details with a modern approach. The 38mm diameter round case is made of niobium metal, which is also a special metal used by Zenith for the first time, and is equipped with tapered lugs, which fit seamlessly with the case under the bezel, and are embellished with modern Zenith Zenith. Oversized fluted crown with star logo.

Beneath the sapphire mirror, the slightly raised salmon-coloured sterling silver dial reveals a guilloché, a guilloché made by Kari Voutilainen’s Comblémine atelier. Triangular hour-markers and applied polished-dot hour-markers combine quaint style with modern luxury. The small seconds dial at 6 o’clock is engraved with the movement serial number, paying homage to the chronometers of the past. The word “Neuchâtel” on the bottom of the dial is a subtle reference to the location of the historical observatories where Zenith, Kari Voutilainen and Calibre 135-O movements participated and won prizes in the golden age of chronometric competitions. Neuchatel, Switzerland.

It is also the first time ever that the Calibre 135 Chronometer Competitor Calibre is in striking 5N rose gold, decorated and embellished by Kari Voutilainen, clearly visible through the case back. fake watches for sale

For such a rare piece of historical significance, all the details, including the box packaging, cannot be ignored. The Calibre 135-O Unique Piece is packaged in a walnut case with brass firmware, inspired by the container that housed the chronometer’s winning calibre, and was shipped from the Zenith Manufacture to the Neuchâtel Observatory. These movements are placed in a leather box shaped like a book, which contains the watch and the original antique wooden box used to transport the movement.

Unlike previous commercially sold versions equipped with Calibre 135, this 135-O version was made for competition and has never been carried in any pocket watch or wristwatch before, so it is suitable to be packaged in a wooden box but. Taking inspiration from the original antique wooden box, Zenith has recreated a larger wooden box to house this Calibre 135 Observatoire Unique Piece watch.

Haute Horlogerie in a sapphire crystal case: Zenith DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon and DEFY Zero Gravity

Zenith cheap presents two special models in the DEFY collection, combining a unique mechanism with a sapphire crystal case. Zenith DEFY Zero-G has a mechanism that keeps the balance in a horizontal position at all times. This is to avoid the negative effects of gravity. The DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon has a tourbillon for the main time and a tourbillon for the high-frequency timekeeping. However, both models feature the recurring star pattern as the spatial theme, which is the hallmark of the watchmaker.

Zenith DEFY Zero Gravity Sapphire
The watch has a 46mm case made of sapphire crystal. This allows the mechanism to be viewed from all sides. Only the crown is not made of sapphire crystal. The off-centre dial is handcrafted from meteorite, aventurine and Grand Feu enamel and is based on a gold base. Meanwhile, the small seconds hand represents our neighboring Mars, partially covered by the main time. Last but not least, Zenith provides the watch with a power reserve indicator between two and three o’clock.

beyond gravity
The highlight of the cheap luxury watches is the “gravity control” mechanism of the El Primero 8812 S movement. The balance is suspended so that it is always in a horizontal position. This prevents the negative effects of gravity. For the first time, the Manufacture has embedded this technology in an open movement. In reference to the sky, the blue movement is decorated with white stars of varying sizes. The back of the adjustment mechanism is also reminiscent of the rough texture and craters of the moon.

Zenith DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire
This watch features a 46mm case also made entirely of sapphire crystal. Beyond that, though, there are buttons on the side that control the high-frequency chronograph. Two star-shaped tourbillons dominate the front. In addition, there are many small stars on the skeleton dial. Here, however, the luminous hands also indicate the time. In addition, the periphery of the ring features faceted hour and minute indexes. The dial also has a scale to measure hundredths of a second.

Movement with two tourbillons
The Zenith DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire houses the El Primero 9020 movement, which offers two escapements with different frequencies. This allows the chronograph to measure hundredths of a second. Here, however, the two balance wheels are embedded in two tourbillons. The tourbillon, which regulates the main time, completes one revolution in 60 seconds. On the other hand, the tourbillon of the chronograph completes one revolution in 5 seconds. The central chronograph hand circles the dial in just one second to demonstrate the extremely high frequency of 50 Hz.

Last but not least, the DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire offers self-winding with a power autonomy of 50 hours. The manufacturer continues the space theme of the movement. Blue PVD ​​coated with engraved stars. The watch also comes with an Observatory certificate from COSC. This means that despite technical improvements, it achieves a maximum rate deviation of -4/+6 seconds per day.

The watch comes with a blue “Cordura effect” rubber strap and a titanium double folding clasp.

Brand Zenith
MODEL DEFY Zero Gravity Sapphire

DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire

Reference DEFY Zero Gravity Sapphire
04.9000.8812/00.R920
DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire
04.9000.9020/00.R920
Case material Sapphire crystal
Size defies zero gravity sapphire
Diameter: 46mm
DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire
Diameter: 46mm
Waterproof 3 bar (~30 m)
DIAL DEFY Zero Gravity Sapphire
Skeletons, Meteorites and Aventurine
DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire
Skeletonization
Strap/Bracelet Blue ‘Cordura Effect’ rubber and grey stitching. Titanium Double Folding Clasp
Movement DEFY Zero Gravity Sapphire
El Primero 8812S
DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire
El Primero 9020
Movement type DEFY Zero Gravity Sapphire
manual

DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire
automatic
Power reserve 50 hours
FREQUENCY DEFY Zero Gravity Sapphire
36,000 cycles/hour (5 Hz)
DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire
1x 36,000 vph (5 Hz)
1x 360,000 vph (50 Hz)
Features of Zero Gravity Sapphire
Hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve display
DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire
Hours, minutes, chronograph, chronograph power reserve indicator

Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special Bronze 45mm

Bronze…not a typical watch material – especially a pilot’s watch. Bronze has been used many times in watchmaking, but it makes more sense in diving watches (even though, to be honest, bronze is still an odd choice for a timepiece. We’ll discuss why later in this article). When you think of bronze, you immediately think of Panerai, but other brands use it (eg IWC and Aquatimer). Now it’s Zenith’s turn to launch a watch in this green metal. It’s a pilot watch, it’s big, but it looks really cool. This is the Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special Bronze 45mm.

The Zenith Pilot Type 20 became an iconic and easily recognizable timepiece among all pilot-oriented watches. Even though it has many classic aviator-style attributes, the Type 20 (not related to the Breguet Type XX, but rather to a specific serial number of a French navy-specific instrument) has its own design, its own style, its own feel and what makes it Something special. Of course, the collection consists of large to very large pieces. You might think of the already huge Montre D’Aéronef Type 20 GMT Pilot and its 48mm case. You might also think of the huge 60mm (yes, 6cm) Zenith Pilot Type 20 with its Grand Feu enamel dial. However, keep in mind that the collection also includes a small (compared to the rest) 40mm version, Made for women or men with discreet intentions, and a medium Extra-Special model measuring 45mm, now available in a bronze case. swiss cheap watches

45mm may sound huge, but remember that a significant part of the fun a pilot’s watch provides comes from its sheer size. In the golden age of aviator instruments, a design attribute now is the need for legibility. Major cases are both respect for historical works and respect for normalcy. As such, the Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special’s 45mm case has a standard feel – second only to the 46mm IWC Big Pilot or the 47mm Oris Big Crown ProPilot altimeter. The shape is the same as its larger sister, with these Specific lugs and strap accessories. Crowns are also typical of the range, with round and large onion shapes (this shape is a good point as the classic and sharp onion crowns tend to hurt). The main novelty: the material used for the case. The Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special Bronze 45mm is made of… Bronze. What an odd choice for a pilot’s watch! Whatever the reason for this choice, the results are excellent. It’s warm, rough, and brings a suitably vintage vibe to an already retro-oriented watch. The case has a rough satin finish, again emphasizing the antique look.

Now you should be asking why we find bronze to be an odd choice for a watch – whatever it is, diver or not. In fact, bronze is unstable and ages quickly when exposed to water, acid, heat, or just sweating. This means that your beautiful gold Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special will see its case covered in green oxide after wearing it for weeks/months. Nothing bad as it will give it a special and unique sheen, but it’s something you have to pay attention to (you can easily clean it and remove this oxide). www.moonphase-watch.com

This bronze case complements the look of the dial and hands and is very successful. Everything in the Type 20 (regardless of version) is reminiscent of (very) early pilot watches – not the 1940s/1950s ones we usually see in retro reissues, but the 1910s/1920s Those of the era (such as this one created by Zenith for Louis Bleriot in the 1910s) are evident from the large Arabic numerals (here painted with luminous material) and the shape of the typical cathedral hands. Gold hands and slightly creamy numerals contrast on the matte black dial, which complements the bronze case. The overall result is very pleasing.

Inside the Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special Bronze is the in-house movement Elite 679, a nice three-hand self-winding movement (no longer a Sellita movement. It’s a good sign that Zenith cheap has launched its own movement) Known for reliability, precision and aesthetics). The movement consists of 126 components and has a power reserve of at least 50 hours. Measuring just 3.85mm in height and 25.6mm in diameter, the movement promises to be hidden behind a sturdy caseback – it would be odd to see the movement through the sapphire caseback in the 45mm case. The same applies to dates, but fortunately, that complication is not present here. Case back made of titanium (bronze can cause irritation if in direct contact with the skin),

Introducing a bold Zenith HF chronograph

A Defy that will blow your mind.

Are you ready for the extreme limit table?

It’s always been there, lurking in the hidden valleys of Switzerland. But Zenith has gone ahead and revealed it in the latest intro to the Defy series. There’s a lot to absorb here. Clearly. Zenith seems to have moved from the hot Chronomaster Sport and retro-inspired Chronomaster Revival models we saw at LVMH Watch Week in January to—well—more extreme territory. So what exactly are we looking at the new Defy Extreme?

Well, it’s huge. It’s bold. And, it’s worth noting that it’s not a limited production release. The new Defy Extreme is a sub-series production of the 45mm chronograph series powered by the high-frequency El Primero 9004 movement. While movements and exposed dials aren’t new features in the Defy collection, we’ve seen the introduction of specific case profiles that, honestly, are somewhat similar to the minimalist, unforgettable Defy watches created and released under the former CEO of Officer Thierry Nataf was head of Zenith in the late 2000s.

The Defy Extreme collection is available in three different styles at launch, including a microblasted titanium case with black dial trim; a brushed, polished and microblasted titanium case with blue dial trim; a microblasted titanium case with a blue dial trim; Sandblasted titanium and polished rose gold case with gold-plated accents. Zenith also uses the Defy Extreme to launch its new quick-change strap system. As such, every Defy Extreme comes with a matching titanium large link bracelet, with an additional rubber and Velcro strap.

While completely unexpected (at least to me), the iteration of Zenith’s Defy platform starts to make more sense when you think about it. Most people today don’t realize that Defy isn’t actually a modern invention of Zenith, even though it appears to be. The real history of the name Defy can be traced back to the pocket watches produced by Zenith founder Georges Favre-Jacot in the late 1800s. Engraved on the dials of those pocket watches? Défi or “challenge” in English.

Decades later, around the same time Zenith first brought its historic automatic chronograph movement, the El Primero, to the market, the Defy name reappeared as a line of bold sports watches. They feature sharp, angular case designs—check out this 1970s example—and other technical improvements, including enhanced resistance to physical shock and improved anti-magnetic effects on everyday timekeeping. They are rugged steel watches for everyday wear, and their unique designs predate the mass development of the luxury sports watch genre by a few years.

Fast forward to 2017 (skipping Defy’s brief revival in the Nataf era), and Defy was born again, this time home to Zenith’s ongoing experiments in high-frequency watchmaking. We have the Defy Inventor, the Defy Fusée Tourbillon, the Defy Double Tourbillon, the Defy Zero G, and of course the Defy 21 collection as the new flagship. So how does the latest version of the Defy 21 build on a design that most watch collectors might consider already “extreme”?

First of all, we once again have Zenith’s exciting El Primero 9004 chronograph movement, equipped with a double escapement for timekeeping accuracy of up to a hundredth of a second. This means that the central chronograph seconds hand is able to make a lightning-quick revolution around the dial every second. (Seriously – if you have the time to spend some time looking at examples of the Defy 21, you won’t regret it. Interacting with these watches is a mind-numbingly fun experience.) Aesthetically, the lack of a traditional dial is a Not just expected for the Defy 21 model, but expected too – you want to see the secondary escapement zoomed out.

I don’t think Zenith gets enough credit for continuing to develop its iconic El Primero movement. That’s what El Primero 9004 is all about – evolution. It features a fully integrated architecture based on the original El Primero design (great for a 1969 creation, right?), but also incorporates a secondary gear train with a high-frequency escapement that runs at 360,000 vph or 50 Hz, and as a second mainspring barrel. To recap – the normal timekeeping part of the watch is almost the same as the standard El Primero, at 5 Hz, and then the 9004’s second stopwatch-specific part, which is isolated so it doesn’t draw energy from the traditional timekeeping mechanism.

The same goes for all previous entries in line 21 of Defy. But what’s new here is the larger case profile, which transitions from the tonneau shape found on previous Defy 21 watches to a more sculpted, angular form factor with 12 facets. This look complements the original Defy models of the 1960s and 70s, which were released before or alongside other popular multi-faceted sports watches of the time.

The bracelet also seems to be a new product and its lines and overall look immediately caught my eye. Unlike most other integrated bracelets, the Defy Extreme allows you to easily switch between it, the included textured rubber strap, and an extra Velcro strap, thanks to its proprietary tool-free system.

Defy Extreme is basically unapologetic in every way. I think you’ll know at a glance if this watch is right for you. Those who fall in love with it will fall miserably. While it may not catch your eye at first, you should still respect what the Defy Extreme stands for at Zenith. That’s more than 50 years of high-frequency watchmaking, high-mechanical horological engineering and unrestrained – good, refined, extreme – design.

Zenith Defy Extreme Double Tourbillon Yoshida 87.9100.9020 /22.l200

The double tourbillon “YOSHIDA SPECIAL EDITION” is now available from Defy Extreme, a chronograph that can measure 1/100 of a second.

Movement
MOVEMENT El Primero
FREQUENCY 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
POWER RESERVE approx. 50 hours
Functions
Hours, Minutes, Small Seconds, Date, Chronograph, Column wheel, Tourbillon Escapement
Case
MATERIAL White Gold, Rose Gold
DIAMETER 45 mm
WATER RESISTANCE 3 ATM
DIAL Skeleton
Strap
STRAP Rubber
CLASP Titanium double folding clasp

Covers all angles: Zenith Chronomaster A384 and A385 Revival El Primero

In the world of watches, we tend to focus on specific models that become iconic to a brand. However, sometimes we encounter a movement that has such an effect that it creates its own gravitational pull. There is no doubt that the Zenith El Primero movement is one such movement. For collectors interested in the history of chronographs, and movements that have changed the landscape of chronograph production in many ways, a perfect way to add a movement to their collection is to reissue the watch paired with that movement – ​​Zenith Chronomaster A384 and A385.

history
1969 was the year that the Zenith El Primero movement debuted. At the time, it brought an astonishing number of innovations, bringing to the world an automatic 1/10-second chronograph that also had a calendar function. To showcase this new marvel, Zenith introduced three watches – the A386 (which looks like the classic round chronograph we’re more used to seeing today), then the A384 and A385 with angular tonneau cases . While these watches do have a clear and unmistakably retro aesthetic by today’s standards, they are forward-thinking to the brand, allowing Zenith to be ready for ’70s styling. They were ill-prepared for the Quartz Crisis that was about to engulf them, which caused the El Primero movement to all but be lost in the mid-70s, were it not for the efforts of Charles Vermot.

plan the details
While the original A385 and A385 predate me by a few years, the Zenith Chronomaster A384 and A385 Revival El Primero look like faithful replicas of these original watches. The starting point is of course that iconic case, which seems to be closer to the Defy line than we expected. No, it doesn’t have an octagonal case, but it has straight edges on all its edges, that’s what I think. This lumpiness of the 37mm case also places it firmly in the early 70s, creating a unique look.

The triple register layout of the chronograph and running seconds hand is recognizable today. Set in the middle of these registers is something we don’t see very often these days – the date display at the 4:30 position (imagine where the hour hand points). Of course, this is an odd positioning. We’re used to it coming at 3, 6 or 4 o’clock. But 4:30? Why are you there? I say the simplest answer is the most reasonable – it puts the date window between the hour indices applied. This means that the date window does not remove – or otherwise shorten – the index, as we see with the date window at the 3 or 4 o’clock position.

The main design difference between the Zenith Chronomaster A384 and A385 Revival El Primero models is the dial color. While the original A384 featured a conservative panda dial (black sub-dial on a white dial), the A385 was super 70s, and the brown smoky hue embraced earth tones in the years following the watch’s original launch. It is worth noting that the A384 is the rarer of the pair, a limited edition for the North American market. Aptly called the A384 Revival Liberty, only 150 of this blue dial variant with red and white chronograph seconds were produced.

The Zenith Chronomaster A384 and A385 Revival El Primero not only draw inspiration from the original models, but are faithful reproductions. We’ve seen some other solid dial colors for the A384 (such as the blue reverse panda dial), but these watches are largely identical to their ancestors, save for the sapphire crystal and non-radioactive luminous paint on the front and back of the watch.

inner work
Both the Zenith Chronomaster A384 and A385 Revival El Primero are powered by the El Primero 400 self-winding movement. Yes, it features newer technology than the original, but it traces very clearly back to the original El Primero 3019 PHC, all the way down to the 36,000 vph frequency at which the movement operates.

Through the sapphire crystal on the exhibition caseback, you can see the Cotes de Geneve motif applied to the movement and signature rotor, as well as several of the 31 jewels used in the movement. Given how similar the movement is to the original, it’s worth taking some time to study it and see how the pushers interact with the movement through the caseback to get a better understanding of it.

With the El Primero movement, the obvious suggestion for a replacement for these limited edition revival watches would be just about every other Zenith El Primero watch. If you like the idea of ​​watches from the past, but want yours to look more modern, Zenith has you covered. With this particular combination of needs, I would point you to the Zenith A386 Revival. Casual watch fans will recognize the three-color layout, and enthusiasts will understand what you’re wearing on your wrist.

On the other hand, maybe you’re looking for that high-paced El Primero kick, but want a slightly unexpected form? There are some options out there as well. Perhaps the most famous of these curiosities is the Rolex Daytona. We know it today because of its style and inner movement, but that’s not how it started. When the Daytona switched from a manual to an automatic movement, it came with a (massively) improved El Primero 400. To be fair, one of the things Rolex has done with the movement is to change its beat rate from 5Hz to 4Hz in hopes of extending the life of the movement. The “Zenith Daytona” reference was produced between 1988 and 2000.

character
Aside from actually finding the original reference in your uncle’s watch box, the Zenith Chronomaster A384 and A385 Revival El Primero are the best way to get you back in the spirit of what Zenith produced in 1969. They flew high with their technical prowess and looked forward to what they could create in the 1970s. These reissues date back to that quiet period before Quartz stopped their imaginations and threatened the entire industry. The case silhouette firmly laid the foundations of these watches in that era, while details such as the chronograph seconds hand without the star weight and the date window in its unique position further emphasise that these watches point to a very special beginning.

We tend to go for vintage watches because they scratch the itch from our past. Maybe it’s the watch we’ve always wanted but could never afford, or the watch someone at home owned but somehow disappeared before it landed on our wrist. In other words, we are trying to recapture a piece of our history. Vintage is one way of doing it, although you’ll worry about maintaining a watch that’s over 50 years old. Truly faithful reissues like the Zenith Chronomaster A384 and A385 Revival El Primero give you the best of both worlds.

You can recapture that lost history while taking advantage of modern manufacturing (such as water resistance, etc.), materials (sapphire crystal), and the overall reliability that comes from a refined and updated movement. While the A384/A385 cases are undeniably polarizing for the modern collector, these Revival models perfectly encapsulate what Zenith was all about in 1969. swiss luxury watches

Experience firsthand the new Zenith CHRONOMASTER SPORT and 1/10th SECOND EL PRIMERO

Zenith returns to its Chronomaster Sport series, launching two new chronographs equipped with El Primero, setting a new tone for the brand. It’s been 5 years since we saw the new Chronomaster Sport, the new implementation uses a traditional conceptual approach, obviously aimed at some of the main products in the category. As Zenith El Primero, it has the benefits of a built-in strong tradition. It also has an easy-to-understand design language, and Zenith is doing well while bringing El Primero into new areas.

The Chronomaster Sport has always been one of El Primero‘s more advanced designs, able to quickly adapt to new trends (for better or worse) and to attract new customers who value the modernity of their timepieces. The product released in 2015 has a diameter of 45 mm and a thickness of 14 mm or more. It uses oversized hour markers and hands, and is equipped with crouched, slightly rough numbers in the sub-dial. The three-color color scheme was cancelled and replaced by a uniform appearance color that matched the dial. Although handsome in some respects, it fell into a disturbing situation in the context of the El Primero name.

The new Chronomaster Sport series is clear at a glance and more meaningful. The new watch is launched in 2 styles, which can be recognized at a glance as the Zenith El Primero chronograph, which is very similar to the current Rolex Daytona (Ref. 116500), thanks to the prominent black ceramic bezel with your choice A white or black dial. Of course, a version of the El Primero movement appeared in Daytona for 12 years (reference number 16520), so you can say that this is an appropriate similarity. Fortunately, Daytona is a very beautiful watch.

As Zenith, this is not exactly your standard chronograph, it differs from watches such as Daytona in some important ways. The most striking thing is the chronograph itself. In the Chronomaster Sport, it can walk around the dial in just 10 seconds, tracking every tenth of a second along the way. You will notice the unusual layout of the bezel to allow this measurement, and it replaces the more traditional speedometers that you would normally find occupying this area. It is not as strong as the Land Rover 21 we are showing you here, but it can be said that it is more useful in measuring the types of things that normal humans need to measure.

The dial itself is dominated by three super-large ranges, which have received the three-tone processing of Zenith that we know and love. Here, they appear as blue, anthracite, and light gray. The rest of the dial is an exercise of restraint, with only a hash of minutes and seconds appearing between the applied hour batons, which themselves are beveled and polished. The date window appears at 4:30 and the color matches the dial. The simple dial with eye-catching, clear hands and hour markers reminds people of Deluca, which was rarely seen in the late 80s and early 90s, which is a very good thing. That watch is a story from another day, but it is refreshing to refer to these areas of its history to this effect when seeing luxury Zenith.

The steel case has a diameter of 41 mm. Thanks to the protruding bezel, every point on the wrist can be worn. The lugs have a radical but uniform curve towards the wrist, with sharp polished chamfers on the edges. From top to bottom, this greatly reduces the lugs and forms a watch around the wrist, effectively hiding the thickness of about 14 mm. Overall it wears well, if you think Daytona is too small, this should be your perfect choice. Plus, you might actually get one of them.

Inside the Chronomaster Sport, El Primero 3600 beats at a frequency of 5 Hz and provides a 60-hour reserve. This is the same as what we saw in the 2019 Chronomaster 2 limited edition release. This watch is very similar to what we saw here, but is more conceptual in execution. Chronomaster Sport is a regular production model, this is the first such appearance of the 3600. You can see the movement through the bottom cover of the exhibition. Although it is not beautiful, it is really interesting. As mentioned earlier, the chronograph is read every tenth of a second and is read through a pinion connected to the escapement itself (rather than borrowing from the gear train). There are 3,600 seconds in an hour, and this action jumps at 36,000 VpH, and it is easy to calculate from there.

The new Chronomaster Sport will be equipped with a steel Oyster bracelet with a polished center link. The edges of the brushed links have a polished bevel, which provides some visual depth to the entire bracelet. The fit and finish of the bracelet is not as perfect as you see on Daytona, but it can be used daily. Depending on the color of the dial, a blue or black fabric strap is also available, which looks more suitable for the overall beauty. Yes, it also looks great on a nylon strap. cheap replica watches

In-depth Zenith embraces the future with Defy Extreme

Double the gear train and double the fun.

I really like the stylish and thick sports watches that were born from the 1970s to the mid-1980s. I have asked Saori, Rich and Sean in our retro team to keep looking for the super mint Heuer Kentucky. Or Mark II Speedmaster. But what I really have been bothering them is the old Zenith Defy from the 1970s with a trapezoid bracelet.

I have tried them when they landed in the store before, and when I visited Zenith Manufacture in Le Locle recently, when I was in Geneva Auction Week in Switzerland, I was able to deal with almost the same example, Zenith Product Development Director and Heritage Director Romain Marietta .

Zenith Defy was born in 1969. It is a series of sturdy and durable watches with unique design, a few years before the development of luxury sports watch types. The octagonal tonneau-shaped case, the 14-sided bezel, the Gay Fréres trapezoid bracelet-enough to drive a person crazy. At Le Locle, the experience has been improved by comparing the latest high-tech Defy version with its older predecessor.

Zenith kindly lent me a sample of the new Defy Extreme for 2021, which is a bold extension of the company’s contemporary flagship product, Defy 21. When looking at Defy Extreme for the first time, it is easy to overlook this line as an ambitious attempt to capture advanced 21st century watch design in a bottle. Its frosted case is full of hard corners and corners, which is true; in addition, the case design is closely related to the Zenith Defy series in the early 1970s. The new Defy is not only Zenith’s response to the high-tech world of watchmaking in the 21st century, but also a way for the Swiss company to finally express a forgotten part of its history.

I chatted with Zenith CEO Julien Tornare when I was in Switzerland and asked him how Defy fits the brand’s goals today, especially since works like Chronomaster Sport and Chronomaster Original have won all awards and headlines this year.

“Defy is about bringing our timekeeping expertise and our mastery of chronographs into the 21st century. Defy is about today and tomorrow. Chronomaster is about yesterday and today. For me, Defy is the locomotive that drives the brand forward.” luxury swiss watches

What makes it ticking
The special feature of Defy is intricately connected with the internal movement. The El Primero 9004 calibre is one of the few chronograph movements in the history of horology, which can record up to one hundredth of a second. Zenith managed to achieve this goal with the central chronograph second hand, which can make a lightning-fast rotation around the dial every second. In the past, some other watch brands have reached similar speeds, including TAG Heuer, FP Journe and Montblanc, but Zenith was one of the first companies to apply this technology to the production of watches.

The 9004 movement is based on the original El Primero architecture, but contains a secondary gear train and a high-frequency escapement running at 360,000 vph or 50 Hz, and a second main barrel. The normal timing part of the watch is similar to the traditional El Primero, with a frequency of 5 Hz, or 36,000 vph, and then a specific part of the movement’s auxiliary stopwatch, which is isolated, so it does not consume energy for the basic timing mechanism. There is no clutch to connect the two separate parts of the whole-although both are integrated on the same main board-so running the chronograph will cause the timing fluctuation or amplitude loss of the main time display to be zero.

The fact that each regulation system has an independent power reserve illustrates this most clearly. Traditional hours and minutes have the standard El Primero 50-hour power reserve, while the chronograph can only run in 50-minute increments. Have you noticed that the Defy Extreme has no sub-dial for elapsed hours? This is why.

Although the two main barrels are independent of each other, they are wound individually. Traditional chronographs are wound by a rotor or by turning the crown counterclockwise, while the chronograph can only be wound by manually turning the crown clockwise-it takes about 50 laps to provide enough power for the chronograph. In order to track the running time of the chronograph, the power reserve is located at 12 o’clock.

Due to the great emphasis on the internal movement of the Defy Extreme, fake Zenith uses a partially open dial with colored sapphire crystals. You can see the main chronograph balance wheel at 8 o’clock, and its main barrel is located at 12 o’clock; the independent chronograph balance wheel can be seen through the sapphire crystal glass back. When the chronograph started, it was running at an incredible 360,000 bph (50 Hz!), moving so fast, it was almost impossible to tell if it was moving. (One of my favorite details of hollow Zenith watches is the star-shaped silicon escape wheel.)

Since Defy Extreme can measure up to one hundredth of a second, Zenith ensures that it can be done clearly. There is a scale ring on the rehaut, measuring 1 to 100, and then three sub-dials-chronograph minutes at three o’clock, chronograph seconds at six o’clock, and running seconds at nine o’clock. Unlike the traditional El Primero 400 and El Primero 3600, the date window is placed on the bench.

I have always considered Zenith to be one of the most intellectually satisfactory watch companies in the past or present. My opinion is correct when wearing Defy Extreme, even if its naming convention sounds like it was born out of the syrupy haze of Mountain Dew’s marketing department.

Zenith is one of the few large watch companies that only uses its own mechanical movements. The company uses zero-source movements in any currently produced watches. This is a very rare thing. For luxury brands, Zenith’s operations also focus on accessibility. I mentioned that Zenith was one of the first watchmakers to put the ability to measure elapsed time to one hundredth of a second, and its price was less than $50,000. But I didn’t mention-dare I say-how extreme the difference is. If you appreciate the technical advantages inside, Defy Extreme offers an impressive value proposition.

Finally, Defy Extreme runs as a larger platform-45mm × 15.4mm-demonstrating Zenith’s overall technical capabilities. Similar to how we look at Lange and salivate for their high-tech achievements in Double and Triple Split, we should look at the high-tech achievements of Zenith’s El Primero 3600 and El Primero 21 in the same way.

Some of you may have read these dimensions and moaned. However, if you happen to find yourself in a room with Defy Extreme, please keep trying. You will realize that the combination of size and weight causes its wear to be different from anything else. The presence of the wrist is definitely there, but it will not make you feel frustrated or attract undue attention. I wore it and a suit jacket to participate in the GPHG, while running around in Geneva to participate in different auctions and wearing different formal shirts. I naturally forgot to wear it on my wrist many times.

I also showed it to the gathered collectors and pressed as much as possible. guess what? People think it’s cool-because it’s really cool. Among them was John Goldberger wearing a vintage Longines watch, who nodded to me in agreement.

I have a few people commented that Defy Extreme represents the trend of Zenith jumping on integrated bracelets. Or perhaps showing a certain degree of undue influence flowing from Hublot’s recklessness, Zenith is the young partner of LVMH’s watchmaking department-although more successful-stable. I don’t think so. I showed those people the old-fashioned Defy photos I showed you to prove my point.

Zenith was always there and did it.

Compared with the previous version of Defy 21, the biggest surprise for me with Defy Extreme is that I like it. Yes, it is bigger and has fewer colors (I think the Defy 21 model does a very good job-I love some UV light), but the micro-blasted titanium on my sample watch is very smooth and has an attractive matte finish Bronze beauty. Compared with the first time I saw news pictures, this watch reads much quieter in human eyes.

On the wrist, the appearance is very coherent, full of sharp corners, clean facets, and a sculptural form, which smiles knowingly under the slim architectural silhouette of Bulgari Octo Finissimo. The matching titanium three-chain bracelet is also a new existence. Its strong lines and one-piece appearance immediately caught my attention. Unlike most other integrated bracelets, Defy Extreme uses a proprietary tool-free system that allows you to easily switch between it, the provided textured rubber strap, and an additional Velcro strap. Although I recently stated that I don’t like rubber straps, I mainly wear fashion watches on rubber straps. Life is full of contradictions-oh well.

Defy Extreme is the rare watch I can imagine, which can attract retro minds as well as technical fanatics. It has the same appeal as a fully equipped G-Shock, I mean the absolute best way. (First remind my roommates, let them find the similarities first.) It is this kind of watch that makes you feel adventurous.

Defy Extreme is a large, eye-catching and powerful watch. Despite its large size, it is very convenient to wear. This is the kind of watch I can imagine that can be paired with a collection full of vintage watches-how cool it is to be invited just to watch the central pointer zoom around the dial once a second. Surprise, surprise, people like fast-moving things.

Zenith did not receive enough praise for continuing to develop its iconic El Primero movement. But I don’t even want to propose the traditional El Primero in the context of the Defy series. It seems that the ability of hundredths of a second will continue to be exclusive to the bigger and bolder Defy, and Chronomaster has received a new tenth of a second movement-El Primero 3600-as seen in the original Chronomaster Sport and Chronomaster .

“Our world is timekeeping and precise,” Tonar said. “We must continue to break through the limitations in this area. This is not easy, because technically speaking, how far can you go? There are some limitations in physics that you cannot go beyond.”

The Defy series will not go anywhere. It was 50 years old two years ago, just like El Primero did, although not so much fanfare.

Although El Primero has brought Zenith copy for the past half a century, if we listen to Tornare’s vision, it is clear that watches like Def​​y Extreme will push the company to new heights and move forward.