The Future is Now: Zenith Defy 21 Ultraviolet

Zenith once again lives up to its reputation as a path-breaking innovator. The newly launched Zenith Defy 21 Ultraviolet not only represents a color novelty within the brand’s ranks, but it is also a watch with two escapements that oscillate at different frequencies: 36,000 vph (or 5 Hz) for the watch and 360,000 vph (or 50 Hz) for the chronograph.

Precise to the hundredth of a second

The term “high-frequency watch” is actually a bit of an understatement when talking about this watch. As the watch’s second hand moves across the dial at 10 small steps per second – as we know it from Zenith – the chronograph steps it up a notch: With a frequency ten times as fast, time intervals can be stopped on the wrist to within 1/100th of a second. Doing so, the central second hand makes a complete and incredibly fast rotation for each elapsed second.

What looks spectacular, however, comes at a cost. Although the high frequency has a positive effect on the precision of the watch, timekeeping becomes an act of sheer muscle power: After 50 minutes of ultra-precise timekeeping, the joy is over. Nonetheless, the rapid loss of energy can be counteracted with a few courageous turns of the crown, while the chronograph’s power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock indicates how much energy is left.

The in-house calibre 9004 ticks inside a 44mm titanium case, which appears particularly toolish thanks to its sandblasted finish. The black rubber strap moreover boasts a purple top that gives the impression of a woven textile.

The new Zenith Defy 21 Ultraviolet is now available for 13,100 €.

The Zenith Defy 21 Ultraviolet at a glance:

• Reference: 97.9001.9004/80.R922
• Case material: Sandblasted titanium
• Case diameter: 44 mm
• Movement: Automatic
• Caliber: El Primero 9004
• Power reserve: 50 h
• Case height: 14.5 mm
• Glass: Sapphire
• RRP: 13,100 €

For more, click here to head over to Zenith.