In this world, not everyone wants to own 38-millimeter retro-style watches with restrained elegance. If that’s what you're looking for, Zenith also offers you the Revival collection. Choosing a watch is a personal and subjective matter, and some watch enthusiasts want larger, bolder watches with technical features and modernity. Following in the footsteps of the Defy collection, Zenith recently unveiled a true statement watch, a bold, oversized, and ultra-technical sports watch with an integrated bracelet. A watch clearly not for the faint-hearted, one that is as technologically advanced visually as it is mechanically. This is the Zenith Defy Extreme collection!
In recent years, Zenith has done significant work restructuring its collections, focusing on four main directions: pilot watches, elegant Elite models, the classic Chronomaster (which pays homage to the El Primero movement), and Defy. While other models represent the brand's past or present, Defy is the future. And it’s not just about design but also mechanics, with impressive cutting-edge movements. This collection is about innovation, research, modern materials, and shapes. It also shows creativity in colors and textures, with models like Defy 21 Felipe Pantone, Urban Jungle, and Ultraviolet. The Zenith Defy Extreme takes the boundaries of sportiness and masculinity to a new level.
Zenith Defy Extreme builds on design elements introduced in the classic Defy watches, with their sharp case and integrated design, and adds a large dose of testosterone and technicality. It also brings back some elements from the past, such as the 12-sided bezel, once used by the brand in the 1970s. Defy Extreme is a large watch with undeniable presence and solid protection from all sides. The case edges are sharp, leading to a matching bracelet. The pushers are an integral part of the design and are now covered with contrasting details matching the material of the 12-sided ring. The watch is water-resistant up to 200 meters.
Three versions are available, two of which are fully revealed in our review; a relatively classic titanium model with matte and polished surfaces, and blue contrasting elements on the dial; a dark variant with matte surfaces and black dial elements; and a bolder and more luxurious edition that adds contrasting gold elements (pushers and bezel, as well as the movement) to a dark grey matte case. All of them come with corresponding integrated bracelets.
Beneath the slightly tinted sapphire dial, which is also visible through the case back, lies the movement representing the brand's future. Familiar with using high frequencies, Zenith introduces an impressive enhancement here with a movement capable of displaying 1/100th of a second, with a special regulating organ designed for the chronograph, beating at a frequency of 50 Hz or 360,000 vibrations/hour. A feature of this caliber, broadly based on the El Primero architecture, is the presence of two independent regulating organs and barrels. One operates at 36,000 semi-oscillations per hour, and the other, faster one, for the chronograph. This means the central chronograph hand can rotate around the dial once per second while being extremely precise in its readings.
In addition to the metal bracelet, watches from the Zenith Defy Extreme collection are also equipped with a practical interchangeable strap system, allowing the bracelet to be replaced with an additional rubber strap or a Velcro strap without using tools.
The Zenith Defy Extreme collection starts at 17,600 euros or 17,900 Swiss francs and can now be pre-ordered on the Zenith website.