SpotlightA Technicolour Techno Treat: Unveiling The Zenith Defy 21 Chroma II Limited Edition

Imagine stepping into the world of Zenith’s Defy collection, where watchmaking isn’t simply about ticking hands, but a canvas for technical magic and daring design. These watches aren’t shy; they’re like modern art on your wrist. With gems that shine and partnerships with artists, Zenith bring the idea of super-precise timekeeping to life in a burst of colour and contrast. Like explorers and magicians, Zenith are always looking for new and unexpected ways to make things exciting. And now, with the Defy 21 Chroma II limited editions, Zenith are showing us that there are no limits to colours—even on a high-tech chronograph that’s out of this world.

Zenith DEFY 21 Chroma: A Colourful Evolution

The idea for a colourful rainbow watch in the Zenith Defy collection came from the popular trend of added colour in the watch world. The first Zenith Defy 21 Chroma watch came out last year at the 2022 LVMH Watch Week. An instant hit, the limited edition featured a combination of a white ceramic case, a wide palette of colourful details and the world’s only serially produced high-frequency 1/100th-of-a-second automatic chronograph calibre. The huge success of the first watch has inspired the Swiss brand to try it again. They’ve made two Defy 21 Chroma II watches now—in black and white ceramic respectively. And they’ve given each version its own set of colours to make each stand out.

The New Zenith Defy 21 Chroma II Versions Play With Colour

There are two new watches for 2023, both with a 44mm ceramic case. The black micro-blasted ceramic Defy 21 Chroma II features colour accents that are a medley of primary colours present throughout the hour markers, similar to the 2022 edition. On the other hand, the white version opts for a vibrant and bold-tone palette comprising bright blues and pinks.

The colours present on the watch are not sporadically placed but carefully positioned so they transition naturally across the entire spectrum

On taking a closer look, one can notice the array of colours present across the open-worked dial along with the tips of the hands and on the movement. Bear in mind, the colours present on the watch are not sporadically placed but carefully positioned so they transition naturally across the entire spectrum.

The careful application of colours on the markers and the 1/100-second scale goes beyond the confines of the dial. It extends to the rubber grip ring of the crown and even the stitching on the cordura-effect rubber straps. This attention to detail ensures a cohesive and harmonious design throughout the watch’s elements.

The special El Primero 21 automatic high-frequency 1/100th-of-a-second chronograph movement can be viewed through the dial and the sapphire crystal back of the case. The movement offers precision and works at very high speeds. It has two escapements for the timekeeping and the chronograph. They work at different speeds: 5Hz (36,000vph) for time, and 50Hz (3,60,000vph) for the chronograph.

Both black and white versions of the Zenith Defy Chroma II are limited to 500 pieces each.