Zenith pushes new limits and keeps us smiling with the first ever carbon fiber Defy Extreme. Using large cases and using automotive-inspired materials, the brand has given its El Primero 9004 movement a new futuristic bold case: the Zenith Defy Extreme Carbon Ref 10.9100.9004/22.I200.
Over the past few years, Zenith has brought an interesting mix of tradition and ultra-modernity. From various revivals of popular classics to spectacular colors used in an ultra-modern approach. While I love new “old” creations, the spectacle of Bolide makes my heart race with excitement.
The same is the case with the new Zenith Defy Extreme Carbon – a big, impulsive creation that questions the industry with its new materials, colorful elements and bold movement. Please let me explain why I think so…
Defy Extreme is not a new collection, or rather, not new to Zenith… more than a decade ago, Defy Xtreme were some of the most daring products, with a sporty look and powerful character. Like now, a statement from a 5 pointed star brand. While I’m not a fan of those models (a bit too much for me), the new Defy Extreme has a design language I understand and love.
see big, see light
The Zenith Defy Extreme Carbon comes in a “large” 45mm case. Since 45mm is in quotes, and while it’s not as common as it was a few years ago, it’s still a popular size and, thanks to clever composition, offers a comfortable, smaller fit. But what stands out about this watch is not its size but its weight. or lack of it…
Thanks to its carbon fiber sandwich construction with titanium inserts, the watch is extremely light. The angular case is topped with a 12-sided microblasted titanium ring and a round carbon fiber bezel with a slightly raised sapphire crystal. There is another 12 edge element on the back of the case, this time in carbon fiber, secured with 4 screws.
On the back, we can also observe the brand’s latest release system – an excellent and easy-to-use quick release that allows the wearer to change the strap in less than a minute. Note the cavity on the bottom cover for easy reach of the push strap release button.
The bottom cover is engraved with various markings, including a “200 M” waterproof scale. A large sapphire crystal allows unobstructed views of the skeletonized El Primero 9004.
To minimize weight while still looking good, the crown and pushers are also made of carbon fiber. The crown features a sandblasted titanium core and a beautiful polished Zenith star relief. Most likely, this core supports the stem that goes into motion.
The pushers are held and held in place by two large titanium rails. The warm feel of the carbon is well evidenced by the naturally acquired dark gray of the titanium. best replica watch site
Lots of detail and depth
The Zenith Defy Extreme Carbon is a natural and busy dial. It’s a chronograph after all… when you have to display a lot of information and partially display the movement, you’re in trouble. But the groups of information on the dial are perfectly combined with the color and structural elements.
First, the time is displayed using central minute and hour hands (a carefully chosen contemporary design with a skeletonized body and white SuperLuminova coating), a small seconds subdial on the left (also with white hour markers and printed numerals) and a superb semi-floating application time scale.
I just love the way the hands stop “in the air”…the use of the sapphire dial not only allows one to see the inner mechanism, but also creates these floating elements “in the air”. The sapphire dial helps to delineate functions and display information.
The Zenith Defy Extreme Carbon also displays a power reserve indicator at the top of the dial, with an intuitive use of white and red to draw attention when needed. The same place is used for the applied star, the printed brand name and the El Primero title.
The 1/100 chronograph features a central hand with 1-second rotation and an external chronograph. As mentioned, each function is separated by color: chartreuse for the 1/100th of a second, green for the 60-second subdial at 6 o’clock, and blue for the 30-minute totalizer at 3 o’clock. In this way, the mixture of information is well delimited and distributed.
Beneath the crystal dial, the skeletonized black mainplate is easily visible, exposing the escapement (yes, there are two…) and gears. I was blown away by the watch’s good legibility and the amount of detail that could be visualized.
El Primero 9004
The watch doesn’t lose its fun when it’s turned. The wide-open vision style observed on the front can be found on the back. The black Zenith cheap star-shaped oscillating weight catches the eye for a while, but soon other elements start to gain their footing. The first thing that catches the eye is the presence of two escapements.
The escapement on the right with the “bigger” balance wheel and the anchor and wheel of the colored escapement is the 5Hz escapement responsible for the time. The balance wheel on the left is much smaller, with a much shorter hairspring, and is the astonishing 360,000 VpH – 50 Hz escapement, offering an astonishing 1/100th of a second measurement capability.
There is a direct relationship between it and the size of the balance wheel, the length of the hairspring and the frequency at which it runs. A large balance wheel will have greater inertia (and be less affected by external factors). A longer balance spring will have a slower oscillation frequency and enough energy to move the balance’s inertial mass. By the same reasoning, a small balance wheel has less inertia but can be moved faster by a shorter spring running faster. That’s where Zenith comes in, not magic… It’s a respect and a treat to be able to mass-produce such an intricate and sophisticated machine.
When it comes to finishes, this movement is not outstanding in haute horology: mostly machine produced, but with extremely high tolerances, colored elements, a bit of brushing, chamfering, polished screw heads and other small details for extreme mechanical Bring beauty. Also, if you want a special piece, you must ask Zenith and be prepared to pay a hefty fee.
Extreme Mechanics, Extreme Materials, Extreme Clocks
The Zenith Defy Extreme Carbon is a good looking watch: beauty and (two) brains. The constant pursuit and desire for innovation make Zenith a formidable player. Adding an extremely strong tradition and daring to use the latest available materials provides results that are hard to ignore.
The watch is light, beautiful, has surprisingly good legibility, and is great to wear. My 18-18.5cm (7-7.2in) wrist can easily accommodate the 45mm case. The straps are angled for added comfort.
Zenith Defy Extreme Carbon Specifications
Ref: 10.9100.9004/22.I200
Function
1/100 second chronograph function.
Chronograph power reserve indication at 12 o’clock.
Hours and minutes displayed in the center.
Small seconds at 9 o’clock
Central chronograph hand with one revolution per second, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, 60-second counter at 6 o’clock
move
El Primero 9004 Automatic
1 watch escapement (36,000 VpH – 5 Hz); 1 chronograph escapement (360,000 VpH – 50 Hz)
Minimum power reserve 50 hours
Finishes: black movement mainplate + special black satin-finished oscillating weight
case:
45mm diameter
Material: Carbon and Microblasted Titanium
Water resistance: 20 ATM
dial
colored sapphire, three black counters
Hour-markers: rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with “SuperLuminova SLN C1”
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with “SuperLuminova SLN C1”
Bracelets and Buckles
Black rubber.
Black DLC-coated titanium triple-fold clasp.
It also comes with a red rubber strap and a black Velcro strap with carbon fiber buckle.