Zenith shines with a duo of timepieces showcasing some of its most technically advanced watchmaking in transparent sapphire
Zenith’s Defy collection is a home for some of its most avant-garde creations, not only in terms of highly technical timekeeping, but the pioneering use of materials. Two new additions to come out of this horological testing ground take this innovative approach to a new level, reimagining some of the most prized and demanding complications in cases made from transparent sapphire, allowing for full admiration of the watchmaking housed within.
With its Defy Zero-G, Zenith paired its famous high-frequency El Primero calibre with its Gravity Control mechanism. Designed to overcome the effects of gravity on the precision of the watch, the regulator is fixed to a gyroscopic mechanism that guarantees it is always horizontal. For this sapphire version the movement has been redesigned to allow for a new architecture that has a more open display, ensuring it looks its best from all angles.
The aesthetic enhancements don’t stop there, with the dial a tour de force of both balanced design and intricate craftsmanship. The latter is showcased with a mosaic of meteorite, shimmering aventurine glass and grand feu enamel. An eye-catching depiction of the planet Mars is featured on the small seconds, while when viewed from the back the gyroscopic module is decorated with a cratered texture recalling the moon.
This interpretation of a starry night sky is given an even more contemporary twist in the Defy 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire. Equipped with one of the fastest tourbillon chronograph movements, this futuristic watchmaking is showcased with a modern open-worked dial. As well as the main plate finished in bold blue PVD, the dial-side bridges are engraved with stars, evoking a distant galaxy.
Both models come in a limited edition of just 10 pieces each, and come with a very special added bonus for the lucky owners. Zenith is offering the opportunity to experience the unforgettable feeling of weightlessness with a zero-gravity flight, partnering with Novespace, a subsidiary of the French National Space Centre.
