Zenith - Defy Extreme Double Tourbillon

1 0 Tuesday, 13 December 2022 Edit this post

Zenith brought its most advanced chronograph movement, the El Primero 9020 featuring two independent tourbillon mechanisms, to the Defy Extreme line with two serially produced references.

This advanced high-frequency chronograph movement is equipped with two independent tourbillons completing rotations in 60 seconds for the time-keeping tourbillon and 5 seconds for the chronograph’s tourbillon, making it among the fastest tourbillons ever made, as well as the only 1/100th of a second chronograph, beating at the phenomenal rate of 360,000 vibrations per hour.

The two new Defy Extreme Double Tourbillon models come in the angular and robust case typical of the line measuring 45 mm in diameter.

The first execution is crafted entirely in titanium with a mix of satin-brushed, polished and matte surfaces including the bracelet, while the second is done in carbon fiber with sandblasted matte rose gold twelve-sided bezel and pusher protectors on a black textured rubber strap.

Its openworked dial, with applied chronograph counters and tinted transparent sapphire elements, offers an unobstructed view of the groundbreaking movement and its two tourbillon mechanisms with star-shaped cages. Readability is enhanced by large hands and hour markers filled Super-LumiNova SLN C1.

The tourbillon at 10 o'clock is coupled with and regulates the chronograph measuring and displaying hundredths of a second in a perfectly legible manner. Beating a frequency of 50 Hz (360,000 vibrations per hour) with its carriage performing a complete rotation every five seconds, this tourbillon is the fastest in the world. It drives the chronograph hand at the amazing speed of one full turn of the dial per second.

The second tourbillon at 8 o'clock regulates the rate of the watch (i.e. hours, minutes and seconds) operating at a frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour) with a carriage performing one rotation per minute.

Two dedicated barrels – one for the watch and the other for the chronograph – store and deliver energy. They respectively provide 60 hours of power reserve for the watch and 50 minutes for the 1/100th of a second chronograph.

Water-resistant to 200 metres / 660 feet, the Zenith Defy Extreme Double Tourbillon has a price of Euro 68,000 in brushed titanium (ref. 95.9100.9020/78.I001) and Euro 77,900 in black carbon and rose gold (ref. 12.9100.9020/78.I200). zenith-watches.com