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The Zenith Defy Zero G – Fighting Gravity in a Modern Way

Zenith Defy Zero G battles the forces of gravity in a defiantly spectacular, accurate, resilient and contemporary spirit.

| By Rebecca Doulton | 3 min read |
Zenith Defy Zero G titanium - Baselworld 2018

Hot on the heels of last year’s Defy El Primero 21, a high-frequency chronograph capable of measuring hundredths of a second,  and the Defy Lab, the most accurate watch on our planet with a pioneering oscillator, 2018 sees the launch of Zenith’s Defy Zero G. Equipped with its proprietary ‘Gravity Control’ module, the Defy Zero G fleshes out Zenith’s nascent Defy collection and stages a hypnotic, gravity-busting show on deck.

Designed to neutralise the negative effects of gravity with its gyroscopic ‘Gravity Control’ module, the Defy Zero G maintains the escapement in a horizontal position regardless of the position the watch. Coupled with a new, manual-winding, high-frequency El Primero calibre measuring tenths of a second, the new Defy watch is housed in 44mm titanium or pink gold cases with a defiantly contemporary look.

A ship’s gimbal inspires the ‘Gravity Control’ module

Many of you will recognise Zenith’s ‘Gravity Control’ module, which made its maiden voyage on the Defy Xtreme Zero-G Tourbillon a decade or so ago and then on board the various vessels of the high-brow Academy Christophe Colomb collection. The fruit of five years of R&D, Zenith’s patented gyroscopic module housed in the Academy Christophe Colomb Equation of Time model won the 2011 GPHG ‘Complicated Watch Prize’.

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Zenith Defy Zero G titanium - Baselworld 2018

As a producer of marine chronometers in the past, Zenith borrowed the principle of gimbal suspension – designed to correct the variations in rate resulting from the pitch and roll of a ship by keeping the instrument in an upright position – and applied it in the miniature realm of a wristwatch. By maintaining the regulating organ in a horizontal position, Zenith reasoned, the best possible balance amplitude would be obtained and precision would be enhanced.

Zenith Defy Zero G titanium - Baselworld 2018

Composed of 139 microscopic components, including a platinum counterweight, the new ‘Gravity Control’ module has been redesigned and shrunk to 30% of its original volume. Unlike the previous watches fitted with the gyroscopic module and their protruding bubbles that made them hard to wear, the Defy Zero G has fitted the gravity-busting device within the two flat sapphire crystals of the case.

A sturdy modern vessel with an open heart

Housed in 44mm pink gold or titanium cases with beautiful brushed finishes, the watch has a thickness of 14.85mm. To counter the robust dimensions of the case, the dial is openworked and reveals every last detail of the skeletonised movement and gyroscopic module placed at 6 o’clock.

Zenith Defy Zero G titanium - Baselworld 2018

A star-shaped bridge, evoking Zenith’s star logo, sustains the scenery on the dial side composed of a blue offset hours and minutes counter in the northern hemisphere intersected by a small seconds counter on the left and a power reserve indicator tucked under the bezel between 2 and 3 o’clock. Shipshape for all life’s adventures, the Defy Zero G is water-resistant to 100 metres and features luminescent hour markers and hands.

Zenith Defy Zero G titanium - Baselworld 2018

The machine below deck

Zenith’s new in-house manual-winding movement, El Primero 8812 S beats at a high frequency of 5Hz and can measure elapsed times of 1/10th of a second. Self-regulated by the updated ‘Gravity Control’ module, the movement is skeletonised and treated with black rhodium to contrast with the lighter tone of the brushed star-shaped bridge. Offering a generous 50-hour power reserve, the movement is composed of 324 separate parts.

Zenith Defy Zero G titanium - Baselworld 2018

Available in either pink gold or titanium, the Defy Zero G is presented on a matching metal bracelet with brushed and polished H-shaped links or on a sportier rubber strap coated with alligator leather. Prices range from CHF 98,900 to CHF 129,900. More details on zenith-watches.com.

https://monochrome.website-lab.nl/zenith-defy-zero-g-baselworld-2018-price/

5 responses

  1. It’s truly sad to see how the elegant and beautiful Zenith Christophe Columb has been bastardized into this monstrosity.

  2. I can appreciate the engineering but these watchmakers could have spent their time making something people would actually want to wear .

  3. I would rather have a timepiece with greater power reserve function.
    Great engineering achievement though.

  4. So now 44mm is “defiantly modern”— sigh. The defy oscillator will hopefully change the industry and its iteration here is a good thing…….but…….if the narrative is about how revolutionary the tech is, then publish and promote this new level of accuracy. I suspect the zero g module adds very little to overall accuracy. Kind of like a 3d tourbillon, interesting to look at and marvel at the miniaturization, but not really bringing much chronometric value to the party. I do love the skeletal presentation and wait anxiously for further extensions to the amazing oscillator.

  5. How can anyone call this a monstcity?? It is stunning. It is a monstrocity for those who can NOT afford it , or who have puny little wrists. Simply beautiful!!

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