Built For The Elements: Zenith Introduces The DEFY EXTREME Collection

Zenith continues to push the limits of performance and design to the extreme for the trailblazers who forge their own path and leave a mark on time with the DEFY EXTREME, an all-terrain 1/100th of a second chronograph.

Zenith is pushing form and function to new heights with the latest addition to the DEFY line of resolutely futuristic watchmaking with the DEFY Extreme, a new expression of superlative precision and ruggedness. Zenith is going far beyond the conventional to uncharted territories, where those who forge their own path on the road less travelled can leave their mark.

“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.”
 – Sébastien Gobert, Designer at Zenith.

From an aesthetic perspective, the DEFY Extreme represents a supercharged DEFY, where the outlines and details are accentuated and further holistic details are masterfully integrated: A larger 45mm case, sharper lines, more pronounced edges, and an overall silhouette that exudes robustness, resilience and a penchant for exploring new horizons. The design is reinforced by the addition of components protecting the pushers, and screw-down crown. Ergonomics as well as durability are enhanced, with a water-resistance of 200 metres – an impressive feat for a cutting-edge chronograph with a display back. One of the DEFY Extreme’s most striking elements is the twelve-sided ring placed under the bezel, which extends down to the twelve-sided case back.

Unequivocally modern in its choice of proportions, architecture, materials and finish, the DEFY Extreme does carry on some of the distinctive traits from the earliest retro-futuristic DEFY models of the 1960s such as the A3642, included the angular case and its faceted bezel. To further highlight its uniquely daring design, the interplay between materials and their finishes serves to add another dimension of modernity. The matte titanium and matte titanium with rose gold versions feature an entirely matte-finished microblasted surface, recalling a monolith subtly and uniformly weathered by the elements over time. Moreover, the titanium version with blue accents is finished to bring out the different facets of the metal with polished, satin-brushed and matte surfaces.

The dial of the DEFY Extreme has been conceived in a way to enhance legibility while allowing a clear view of the groundbreaking 1/100th of a second chronograph calibre, with two escapements beating at 36’000 VpH for the timekeeping part and 360’000 VpH for the chronograph. Consisting of a transparent sapphire crystal, the dial features applied oversized and slightly overlapping chronograph counters that emphasize volume and legibility. The hands as well as the applied hour markers are also extra-large and filled with copious amounts of Super-LumiNova guarantee readability in the darkest situations. And to further enhance the tonality of the watch and the depth of the movement, the movements are coloured galvanically to match and complement their sturdy exterior: Black for the matte titanium, blue for the polished and gold for the titanium and rose gold.

Because uncompromising performance in extreme conditions also means adapting to the environment around us, each DEFY Extreme comes with three different straps with quick strap-change mechanisms: A mircroblasted or polished and satin-brushed titanium bracelet, a rubber strap with a folding buckle matching the case and, a first for Zenith and the DEFY line, a Velcro® strap that can be easily and precisely adjusted on the go, with the textile material perfectly suited for any situation – and certainly not afraid of getting wet. Going beyond a simple cosmetic switch-up, each option offers different properties for a different wearing experience, perfectly adapted to its surroundings and the activities it takes on, no matter how extreme.

Zenith has found a most suitable setting for the DEFY Extreme collection, by becoming Official Timekeeper and Founding Partner of Extreme E, a new off-road electric racing championship. On this exciting new partnership, Zenith CEO Julien Tornare shared “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 of environment 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.”

More than just an exceptional chronograph that forges ahead on the path to the future of watchmaking, the DEFY Extreme is a call to aim higher and reach further; an enduring instrument to accompany the wearer on his wildest endeavours. The Defy EXTREME is available in all Zenith points of sale and Zenith e-commerce platforms worldwide.

ZENITH: TIME TO REACH YOUR STAR.

Zenith exists to inspire individuals to pursue their dreams and make them come true – against all odds. Since its establishment in 1865, Zenith became the first watch manufacture in the modern sense of the term, and its watches have accompanied extraordinary figures that dreamt big and strived to achieve the impossible – from Louis Blériot’s history-making flight across the English Channel to Felix Baumgartner’s record-setting stratospheric free-fall jump. Zenith is also highlighting visionary and trailblazing women – past and present – by celebrating their accomplishments and creating in 2020 its first-ever collection dedicated entirely to them, Defy Midnight.

With innovation as its guiding star, Zenith features exceptional in-house developed and manufactured movements in all its watches. Since the creation of the El Primero in 1969, the world’s first automatic chronograph calibre, Zenith has gone on to master fractions of the second with the Chronomaster Sport and its 1/10th of a second precision and the DEFY 21 with a precision of 1/100th of a second. Zenith has been shaping the future of Swiss watchmaking since 1865, accompanying those who dare to challenge themselves and break barriers. The time to reach your star is now.

• DEFY EXTREME

Reference: 97.9100.9004/02.I001

Key points: Stronger, bolder and more powerful design, 1/100th of a second Chronograph movement, Exclusive dynamic signature of one rotation per second for the Chrono hand, 1 escapement for the Watch (36,000 VpH - 5 Hz) ; 1 escapement for the Chronograph (360,000 VpH - 50Hz), Certified Chronometer, New Interchangeable strap system, 2 straps included : 1 Rubber with folding buckle & 1 Velcro. Sapphire dial, Screwed-in crown.
Movement: El Primero 9004 automatic
Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)    
Power reserve min. 50 hours
Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. Small seconds at 9 o'clock. 1/100th of a secon d Chronograph: Central chronograph hand that makes one turn each second, 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, 60-second counter at 6 o'clock, Chronograph power-reserve indication at 12 o'clock.
Finishes:  Black colored main plate on movement + Special black colored
oscillating weight with satined finishings
Price 17900 CHF
Material: Microblasted titanium
Water resistance: 20 ATM
Diameter: 45 mm
Thickness: 15.40 mm
Dial: Tinted sapphire with three black-coloured counters
Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Superluminova SLN C1
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Superluminova SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Microblasted titanium bracelet. Also comes with a rubber strap and a Velcro® strap. 

• DEFY EXTREME

Reference: 95.9100.9004/01.I001

Key points: Stronger, bolder and more powerful design, 1/100th of a second Chronograph movement, Exclusive dynamic signature of one rotation per second for the Chrono hand, 1 escapement for the Watch (36,000 VpH - 5 Hz) ; 1 escapement for the Chronograph (360,000 VpH - 50Hz), Certified Chronometer, New Interchangeable strap system, 2 straps included : 1 Rubber with folding buckle & 1 Velcro. Sapphire dial, Screwed-in crown.
Movement: El Primero 9004 automatic
Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve min. 50 hours
Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. Small seconds at 9 o'clock. 1/100th of a second Chronograph: Central chronograph hand that makes one turn each second, 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, 60-second counter at 6 o'clock, Chronograph power-reserve indication at 12 o'clock.
Finishes:  Blue colored main plate on movement + Special blue colored oscillating weight with satined finishings
Price 17900 CHF
Material: Brushed, polished and microblasted titanium
Water resistance: 20 ATM
Diameter: 45 mm
Thickness: 15.40 mm
Dial: Tinted sapphire with three different-coloured counters
Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Superluminova SLN C1
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Superluminova SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Microblasted titanium bracelet. Also comes with a rubber strap and a Velcro® strap. 

• DEFY EXTREME

Reference: 87.9100.9004/03.I001

Key points: Stronger, bolder and more powerful design, 1/100th of a second Chronograph movement, Exclusive dynamic signature of one rotation per second for the Chrono hand, 1 escapement for the Watch (36,000 VpH - 5 Hz) ; 1 escapement for the Chronograph (360,000 VpH - 50Hz), Certified Chronometer, New Interchangeable strap system, 2 straps included : 1 Rubber with folding buckle & 1 Velcro. Sapphire  dial, Screwed-in crown.
Movement: El Primero 9004 automatic
Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve min. 50 hours
Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. Small seconds at 9 o'clock. 1/100th of a second Chronograph: Central chronograph hand that makes one turn each second, 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, 60-second counter at 6 o'clock, Chronograph power-reserve indication at 12 o'clock.
Finishes:  Gold colored main plate on movement + Special gold colored oscillating weight with satined finishings
Price 21900 CHF
Material: Microblasted titanium and polished rose gold
Water resistance: 20 ATM
Diameter: 45 mm
Thickness: 15.40 mm
Dial: Tinted sapphire with three black-coloured counters
Hour markers: Gold-plated, faceted and coated with Superluminova SLN C1
Hands: Gold-plated, faceted and coated with Superluminova SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Microblasted titanium bracelet. Also comes with a rubber strap and a Velcro® strap.