Introducing Zenith DEFY Zero-G Sapphire and DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire

The Low-Down

Zenith DEFY Zero-G was first introduced in 2018, following hot on the haute horology heels of DEFY El Primero 21 and DEFY Lab. Then a year later came the DEFY El Primero Double Tourbillon.

Now there are twinkly, shiny new limited edition versions of both the seemingly gravity defying DEFY Zero-G and the chronometrically complex DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon. Their genius is designed to be admired through luminous and transparent sapphire cases to give maximum impact to their stunning appearance.

Both watches come in a limited edition of just 10 pieces.

DEFY Zero-G Sapphire

Zenith DEFY Zero-G Sapphire

DEFY Zero-G is all about overcoming gravity and suspending belief. Overcoming the effects of gravity is often hailed as the holy grail of watchmakers and this is what Zenith sets out to do.

The Gravity Control mechanism in the 46mm DEFY Zero-G Sapphire is fixed to a gimbal that always remains in a flat position, regardless of how the watch is rotated.

Zenith DEFY Zero-G Sapphire

In this transparent new version Zenith has redesigned the entire movement – complete with a double tourbillon – to allow for a more open and exploratory display.

Captured in a case of crystal clear sapphire, there’s no place to hide, the movement is open to inspection from every angle. It’s the first time Zenith has allowed such intrusive inquiry of the magic behind the mechanism.

Against a backdrop of blue aventurine glass speckled with white stars, the hour and minute dial in the forefront partially eclipses the small seconds dial fashioned as the red planet, Mars. Hold the watch overhead and you can view the back of the gyroscopic module with its cratered texture emulating the moon.

Zenith DEFY Zero-G Sapphire

Fittingly for the watch with the guiding star, metallic-grey chamfers form a large contrasting star as a main visual feature on the dial. Beneath this at 6 o’ clock is the movement’s cylindrical container, which can also be viewed through the sides of the case.

The Zero-G runs on the 8812 S manual wind, a 36,000vph high-beat movement with 50 hours of power reserve.

Zenith DEFY Zero-G Sapphire

DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire

Zenith DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire

The 46mm DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire is the second of two technically advanced DEFY models designed to display new materials and new watchmaking technology through crystal clear sapphire.

Just to prove this is not your average trusty El Primero, two independent tourbillons complete rotations in 60 seconds for the time-keeping tourbillon and an incredible 5 seconds for the chronograph’s tourbillon. Zenith opt for the El Primero 9020 automatic with double barrels for this behemoth. The tourbillons going at full tilt chew up a lot of power reserve so the chronograph tourbillon is restricted to 50 minutes while the timekeeping tourbillon can run for 50 hours.

There’s a whole universe of time telling pitched against the blue starry dial. In addition to the two tourbillons, there are central hours and minutes, a central chronograph hand that makes one turn each second, a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a 60-second counter at 6 o’clock, and a chronograph power-reserve indication at 12 o’clock.

Zenith DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire
Zenith DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire

IMHO

If you feel you deserve to defy a little gravity of your own, this is your chance.

The 10 DEFY Zero-G Sapphire and 10 DEFY 21 Tourbillon Sapphire limited edition owners are being offered the opportunity to experience a parabolic zero-gravity flight.

Scheduled for February 2022, Zenith has partnered with Novespace, a subsidiary of the French National Space Center, to offer the experience of weightlessness.

To be held at the Novespace facility in Bordeaux, France, guests will meet with their instructors while French astronaut Jean-François Clervoy will also be present at the pre-flight conference.

The flight itself will consist of 15 parabolas, where the plane ascends then plunges in a freefall to reproduce the effect of floating in weightlessness in a perceived absence of gravity. Think I’ll stick to solid ground.

Tech Specs

Zenith DEFY Zero-G Sapphire
Zenith DEFY Zero-G Sapphire

Material: Sapphire
Case: 46mm
Movement: El Primero 8812 S manual
Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve: approx. 50 hours
Features: Centralised Hours and Minutes, 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, Double tourbillon
Bracelet & Buckle: Black rubber with blue “cordura effect” rubber & grey stitchings. Titanium double folding clasp.
Price and availability: USD 159,700; limited edition of 10 pieces

Zenith DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire
Zenith DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire

Material: Sapphire
Case: 46mm
Movement: El Primero 9020 automatic
Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve: approx. 50 hours
Features: Centralised Hours and Minutes, 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, Double tourbillon
Bracelet & Buckle: Black rubber with blue “cordura effect” rubber & grey stitchings. Titanium double folding clasp.
Price and availability: USD 180,300; limited edition of 10 pieces

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