Defy El Primero 21 Black Ceramic

• Case: black ceramic
• Size: 44mm
• Movement: automatic manufacture El Primero 9004
• Function: chronograph power reserve, chronograph can measure 1/100th of a second
• Power Reserve: approximately 50 hours
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Dial: openworked
• Caseback: sapphire crystal
• Hands: luminous hands and markers
• Strap/Bracelet: black ceramic
• Factory Warranty: two years

Black is the new gold for the latest iteration of the groundbreaking Zenith Defy El Primero 21, the most accurate chronograph the world has ever seen.

In yet another master sleight of hand, Zenith stunned the world in 2017 with the release of the Zenith Defy El Primero 21. A chronometric reinvention of accuracy and reliability, the Defy El Primero 21 is the ultimate embodiment of the spirit of innovation that has coursed through Zenith’s blood for the past 150 years.

In 1969, Zenith launched El Primero, the first ever fully integrated automatic column-wheel chronograph movement, enabling 1/10th of a second precision. The ultimate fulfilment of a quest for perfection and a proven ability to create watchmaking legends, this groundbreaking model laid a new milestone in watchmaking history that had never been surpassed – until now.

Half a century later, Zenith has once again defied tradition and pushed all existing boundaries, leading us into the world of 1/100th of a second accuracy. A legend reborn, the Zenith Defy El Primero 21 is the shining 21st century symbol of a new future for a brand with a truly unique guiding star.

Zenith Knows No Limits: The Zenith Defy El Primero 21 represents a quantum leap in both performance and mechanical design. This is a competition against no-one but itself. The newly upgraded movement of this outstanding timepiece boasts a frequency of 360,000 A/H (50 Hz), ten times that of its world-famous El Primero predecessor, enabling 1/100th of a second precision. An exquisitely designed display magnifies the effect of this astonishing frequency: the inner bezel bears 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, offering unprecedented visual impact and a surreal time-travelling experience for the lucky wearer.

Echoing the trend in modern engineering development and ensuring optimal performance, this incredible mechanical complication is achieved using a far smaller number of components, minimizing tedious assembly and adjustments. In addition to significantly improved performance and mechanical structure, the design of the TIME LAB-chronometer certified Defy El Primero 21 draws inspiration from the rugged good looks of its 1969 predecessor. Framed by a 44mm ceramic case, the openworked dial of the Defy El Primero 21 offers a resolutely contemporary background for the key identifying characteristics of the legendary original: a star-tipped sweep-seconds hand, large luminescent baton-type hands and facetted hour-markers all paying proud tribute in a stunning demonstration of futuristic brilliance.

Stealth Interpretation: With a lustrous night-black ceramic case providing a perfect complement to its rich inner workings, black is unquestionably the new gold in the Defy El Primero 21 Black Ceramic. Sleek ruthenium-plated hour-markers and hands enliven an elegantly complex openworked dial featuring a chronograph power-reserve indication at 12 o’clock, hours and minutes in the center, small seconds at 9 o’clock, black 60-second counter at 6 o’clock and distinctive blue 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. The Defy El Primero 21 Black Ceramic presents a delightful dilemma with a choice of a supremely comfortable black rubber strap with a matching black DLC-coated titanium double folding clasp, or a magnificently stylish black ceramic bracelet. With a generous 50-hour power reserve, this exceptional timepiece is water-resistant to 100 meters, and is sure to catch the attention of the most discerning watch enthusiasts seeking to wish upon a star.