SpotlightA ‘Reflective’ State Of Mind: Presenting The Zenith Defy Extreme Mirror

Zenith have launched a new version of their iconic Defy model, which looks stunning in its new crystal-clear avatar. The watch resembles a monolithic object, which reflects all light and colours, thanks to its reflective, mirror-like surface. It’s ultra-modern, edgy, yet manages to look quite sophisticated despite being a sports watch with generous proportions. The new Defy Extreme Mirror has a highly geometrical form that boasts a structured symmetry in terms of design and execution. The highlight here is that it has no colour, hence it takes on the hues from whatever surrounding it’s kept in—a trademark philosophy on which this line is built, which means that its ‘not only inspired by the elements, but also built to adapt and blend into them’. With the Defy Extreme Mirror timepiece, the brand has unleashed a new expression of its rugged chronograph, which blends reality and our perception of various surroundings.

The 45mm watch comes in a fully mirror-polished metal exterior and features flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. With this it doesn’t attempt to hide in its surrounding but blends in completely by reflecting light from its prim-like surface. The highly angular case as well as its integrated bracelet are crafted in stainless-steel, which are then mirror-polished to a fault to achieve the overall gleaming effect. And this has been executed on the multi-layered dial as well, where the open watch face features a central element in sapphire crystal with a metallic mirror-finish, rendering it translucent yet reflective.

The 45mm watch comes in a fully mirror-polished metal exterior and features flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides

The small seconds are at nine o’clock, the 30-minute counter at three o’clock, and the 60-second counter at six o’clock. The power-reserve indicator is positioned right below the 12 o’clock marker

The 1/100^th-of-a-second chronograph scale features satin-brushed metallic elements, in sync with the all-metal design theme. Here, the small seconds are at nine o’clock, the 30-minute counter at three o’clock, and the 60-second counter at six o’clock. The central chronograph hand sweeps and makes one turn each second and the power-reserve indicator is positioned right below the 12 o’clock marker.

It is driven by the high-frequency chronograph calibre El Primero 9004, which is partially visible through the open dial as well as the sapphire crystal caseback. Operating on an extremely high speed, this automatic movement offers 1/100th-of-a-second time measurements by means of two independent escapements beating at the rates of 36,000vph or 5Hz for the timekeeping part and 360,000vph or 50Hz for the chronograph function

It is driven by the high-frequency chronograph calibre El Primero 9004, which is partially visible through the open dial as well as the sapphire crystal caseback. Operating on an extremely high speed, this automatic movement offers 1/100^th-of-a-second time measurements by means of two independent escapements beating at the rates of 36,000vph or 5Hz for the timekeeping part and 360,000vph or 50Hz for the chronograph function. On turning the watch over, one can see the star-shaped winding rotor, which is finished in a silvery-grey metallic tone to match the case and dial elements, seamlessly blending into the overall design theme.

The Defy Extreme Mirror offers a decent water-resistance of up to 200m and is presented on a fully-polished stainless-steel bracelet, which keeps up with the geometry of the angular case. There is also a Velcro strap and a rubber strap supplied with this timekeeper, which can be easily changed, using the quick strap-change mechanism on the back of the case.