Zenith - Defy El Primero 21, new 2018 models

In 2018 Zenith presented several new Defy El Primero 21 models featuring its 100ths of a second chronograph movement, the El Primero 21. New models include black ceramic and blue versions. Specs and prices.

Last year, at Baselworld 2017, Zenith created lot of buzz presenting a new hundredths of a second El Primero chronograph movement, the Defy El Primero 21.

After the fundamental contribution to the chronograph history with the high frequency (5 Hz or 36,000 vibrations per hour) El Primero launched in 1969, Zenith made a giant leap with a new calibre beating at the ultra-high frequency of 50 Hz (360,000 vibrations per hour), ten times faster and more accurate than its predecessor.

This in-house made movement is equipped with its own patented balance-springs made of Carbon-Matrix Carbon Nanotube composite. The exceptional physical and mechanical properties of this balance-springs with its graphene matrix render it insensitive to temperature and to the influence of magnetic fields, well beyond the known 15,000 Gauss standard, thereby guaranteeing peerless precision in all conditions of use.

Performed via a crown with two positions (for winding and time-setting), manual winding works in both directions: clockwise for the chronograph, counterclockwise for the watch. 25 turns of the crown are enough to obtain a 100% charge of the chronograph barrel. An oscillating weight with a star-shaped openworked oscillating weight handles one-way automatic winding of the watch function.

Framed by a 44 mm case available in various materials, the closed or openworked dial of the Defy El Primero 21 features an inner bezel bearing a scale graduated from 1 to 100 around which a 1/100th of a second hand sweeps at a lightning speed of one turn per second.

In 2018, Zenith is launching several new interpretations of this cutting-edge chronograph. We list below some of them. All models are water resistant to 100 metres / 330 feet.


Zenith Defy El Primero 21 Blue

Designed to please the many lovers of the blue colour, this Defy El Primero 21 model is characterized by a visually striking blue mainplate. Blue is also the 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock while the 60-second counter at 6 o'clock is black. The openworked dial also displays a chronograph power-reserve indication at 12 o'clock as well small seconds at 9 o'clock. Rhodium-plated hour markers and hands match the colour of the gleaming titanium case.

The Defy El Primero 21 Blue offers three options to secure the watch to the wrist: a supple blue rubber strap, a black rubber strap covered with a blue alligator leather coating or an ultra-light titanium bracelet. All of them with a titanium double folding clasp.


Zenith Defy El Primero 21 Midnight Black Ceramic

The night-black ceramic case of this model provides a great complement to the openworked dial enlivened by sleek ruthenium-plated hour-markers and hands and featuring a chronograph power-reserve indication at 12 o'clock, hours and minutes in the centre, small seconds at 9 o'clock, black 60-second counter at 6 o'clock and a distinctive blue 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock.

The Defy El Primero 21 Midnight Black Ceramic can be matched to a comfortable black rubber strap with a matching black DLC-coated titanium double folding clasp, a sophisticated black rubber strap covered by black alligator leather or a beautifully refined black ceramic bracelet.


Zenith Defy El Primero 21 Rose Gold

The warm glow of rose gold gives a touch of elegance to an eminently sporty model.

Matching gold-plated hour-markers and hands sweep around the black openworked dial featuring a black 60-second counter at 6 o'clock and a distinctive blue 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock.

The Defy El Primero 21 Rose Gold comes with a choice of a black rubber strap coated with brown alligator leather or a rose gold bracelet, both with a gold and titanium double folding clasp.

Prices of the new models with openworked dials start at Euro 11,100 in titanium, Euro 12,100 in black ceramic or Euro 26,900 in rose gold. zenithwatches.com