Though human beings are conditioned to the fixed presence of gravity, its results are a big hurdle for mechanical watchmaking. The pull of gravity throughout a motion’s gear prepare because it sits in a static place finally results in slight inaccuracies, and over the centuries watch manufacturers have devised intricate options to counteract gravity’s results. Whereas the extra cellular nature of a wristwatch (versus a pocket watch or clock) mitigates a lot of the static gravity downside, the normal treatment for mechanical actions is the tourbillon escapement. By permitting the escapement to rotate round its axis, gravity’s pull is distributed extra evenly throughout the motion and higher precision may be achieved. For its newest high-end releases, Zenith employs each this time-tested technique of counteracting gravity in addition to a extra novel gyroscopic stabilizer machine. By embracing each the current and way forward for gravity compensation, the restricted version Zenith Defy Zero G Sapphire and the Zenith Defy 21 Double-Tourbillon Sapphire shine a dramatic highlight on the model’s horological functionality.
Each the Zenith Defy Zero G Sapphire and the Defy 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire share a full sapphire case design measuring in at 46mm-wide. The sharply faceted, planar type is shared with the remainder of the Defy 21 sequence, however its sapphire materials helps to emphasise the futuristic and sporty character of the design in photos. Whereas many case designs fall into disarray when rendered in sapphire, the slim bezel, tapering case facet chamfer, and flat semi-hooded lugs all stay sharply outlined in these iterations. Whereas these clear circumstances do give an uninterrupted view of the complicated actions inside, they do undergo on the sturdiness entrance compared to their common manufacturing cousins. Each the Defy Zero G Sapphire and the Defy 21 Double- Tourbillon Sapphire handle solely a disappointing 30 meters of water resistance.
Though the dials of each the Zenith Defy Zero G Sapphire and the Defy 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire are ornate skeleton showcases of the model’s movement-making prowess, every mannequin takes a markedly completely different strategy. The Defy Zero G Sapphire is the cleaner design of the pair, with an open and ethereal structure that makes the a lot of the case’s huge diameter to create dramatic detrimental area. Though the structure could also be easy in comparison with its counterpart, the execution is something however, with supplies and finishes starting from uncovered meteorite to aventurine glass, miniature portray, engraved midnight blue PVD, and brushed stainless-steel for the skeleton bridges. Timekeeping is relegated to the 12 o’clock subdial, which mixes a space-inspired deep blue aventurine central part with a vivid uncovered meteorite outer ring. The striped baton handset and utilized rectangular indices give this cosmic mixture an injection of Zenith’s model DNA, however the design is coupled to a curiously conventional chemin-de-fer minutes monitor. The ten o’clock working seconds subdial is break up between the meteorite ring and a mottled orange part, hand-finished by an skilled miniature painter to evoke the look of the planet Mars. Zenith’s use of engraved navy blue PVD continues the starfield impact throughout nearly all of the dial in photos, however stops quick to attract the attention in the direction of the Defy Zero G Sapphire’s signature aspect — its 6 o’clock gyroscopic module. Quite than rotate the escapement throughout its axis like a tourbillon does, this distinctive design as an alternative makes use of a miniaturized gyroscope to maintain the escapement meeting degree whatever the place of the watch. This can doubtless produce an attention grabbing spectacle on the wrist, and even in photos, the complicated cage surrounding the stability wheel is visually spectacular.
Zenith fans ought to really feel a bit extra conversant in the dial structure of the Defy 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire, because it follows the structure of the Zenith x Felipe Defy Double Tourbillon created for Solely Watch 2021. The complicated skeleton design separates itself into three distinct visible layers, every of which is color-coded for simpler legibility in photos. The highest layer of skeleton bridges and the three o’clock chronograph minutes subdial are rendered in engraved blue PVD, with a random star sample that performs off the design’s zero-gravity inspiration. For lower-level bridges, the minutes monitor, the 12 o’clock energy reserve indicator, and the 6 o’clock chronograph seconds subdial, the model opts for a contrasting grainy silver tone, whereas the strong bridges that type the underside layer are completed in pure midnight blue PVD, permitting them to fade easily into the background. The outer decimal scale is a right away visible clue to the Defy 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire’s signature function, a blindingly quick 1/100-second central chronograph hand that completes a circuit of the dial as soon as per second. When this distinctive chronograph aspect shouldn’t be in movement the pair of skeletonized tourbillons at 8 o’clock and 10 o’clock dominate the scene. One in all these tourbillons works because the escapement for the bottom motion, finishing a full rotation as soon as each 60 seconds at a 36,000 bph beat fee and functioning as a working seconds indicator. When the chronograph is engaged, the second tourbillon springs into motion, vibrating at an immensely quick 360,000 bph frequency and rotating as soon as each 5 seconds. This sense of velocity, coupled with the sheer presence of a pair of tourbillons, ought to make for a spectacular show on the wrist.
Zenith powers the Defy Zero G Sapphire with its in-house El Primero 8812 S hand-wound skeleton motion. When considered from the caseback facet, the El Primero 8812 S contrasts the dial facet’s open simplicity with a raised geometric internet of engraved blue PVD skeleton bridges and rhodium-plated gear prepare components. As with the dial facet, nevertheless, the gyroscopic module takes heart stage in photos. For the reverse facet of this intricate machine, Zenith makes use of a hemispherical counterweight in hand-engraved platinum, completed with ornate craters to evoke the floor of the moon and topped with the model’s star emblem. By way of efficiency, the El Primero 8812 S affords a strong 50-hour energy reserve at a clean 36,000 bph beat fee. For the Defy 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire, the model as an alternative turns to its in-house El Primero 9020 computerized tourbillon chronograph motion. Whereas the dial facet makes use of a layered bridge construction and its show-stopping double tourbillons, the caseback facet of the El Primero 9020 affords a relatively easier view. Broad engraved blue PVD bridges minimize away to disclose components of the gear prepare, however the matching outsized star-shaped rotor covers a lot of the visible actual property in photos. When the torque-hungry ultra-high-frequency chronograph and its connected tourbillon should not in use, the El Primero 9020 supplies a 50 hour energy reserve on the El Primero’s signature 36,000 bph beat fee, together with COSC licensed chronometer grade accuracy. Each the Zenith Defy Zero G Sapphire and the Defy 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire are paired with navy blue Cordura-effect textured rubber straps, with black lining for a pop of distinction. As an added bonus, patrons of both design are invited to an unique zero-gravity parabolic flight with Novespace, a subsidiary of the French Nationwide Area Heart. The flight is at present scheduled to happen in Bordeaux, France in February 2022, though the model makes no point out of journey lodging.
With two solely completely different however equally spectacular strategies of counteracting gravity, the restricted version Zenith Defy Zero G Sapphire and the Zenith Defy 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire each supply attention-grabbing demonstrations of the marque’s appreciable haute horlogerie experience. Each the Defy Zero G Sapphire and the Defy 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire are restricted to 10 examples every. The Zenith Defy Zero G Sapphire and the Zenith Defy 21 Double Tourbillon Sapphire can be found now by way of approved sellers, with MSRPs of $159,700 and $180,300, respectively. For extra particulars, please go to the model’s web site.
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