Zenith DEFY Extreme debuts two new models that pair the brand’s high-frequency 1/100-second chronograph with contrasting material stories: the DEFY Extreme Lapis Lazuli II and the DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet, Zenith said.
The two releases keep the series’ technical core intact while using different materials and colors to present distinct personalities, Zenith said. Both are built on the DEFY Extreme technical platform, with 45 millimeter cases, 200 meters of water resistance, and the brand’s El Primero 9004 automatic movement.
Zenith DEFY Extreme explores natural stone and translucent color
Zenith said the DEFY Extreme platform remains the only regular-production mechanical chronograph on the market that provides a true 1/100-second mechanical readout through a central chronograph hand. The El Primero 9004 uses a dual-escapement architecture, separating timekeeping from timing: the timekeeping train runs at 5 hertz (36,000 vibrations per hour), while the chronograph operates at 50 hertz (360,000 vibrations per hour), so the central chronograph hand completes one revolution per second to show 1/100-second increments directly.
Lapis Lazuli II emphasizes natural stone
The DEFY Extreme Lapis Lazuli II replaces the previous stainless steel and gold options with a case made from forged carbon fiber combined with titanium, giving the watch a darker, matte, tool-watch aesthetic, Zenith said. The dial is a natural lapis lazuli slice, whose gold flecks come from pyrite inclusions and catch light differently across each piece, making every one of the 25 limited editions visually unique.
Zenith pairs the Lapis Lazuli II with a black rubber strap and a black Velcro strap, and the watch supports the DEFY Extreme quick-change strap system for easy swapping. The model is limited to 25 pieces, the company said.
Ultraviolet pursues a translucent, futuristic look
The DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet adopts a different approach, using a micro-sandblasted titanium case with a purple-tinted sapphire dial, purple chronograph subdials, and an openworked movement to create layered depth and allow views of the mechanism. Zenith even colors the brand’s star-shaped rotor purple to carry the concept through to the movement details.
The Ultraviolet ships with a purple rubber strap, a micro-sandblasted titanium bracelet, and a black Velcro strap, giving owners options for sport or dress use. Zenith said the translucent elements and skeletonized construction emphasize the series’ mechanical character while adding a clear color identity.
Shared features: chronograph layout and power reserve
Both models keep the same dial layout: a 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock, a 60-second chronograph counter at 6 o’clock, a small seconds at 9 o’clock, and a 12 o’clock chronograph power-reserve indicator, Zenith said. Because the chronograph has its own power source, the timing train can sustain operation at 50 hertz while the watch provides about 50 hours of running power for everyday use.
Price and availability
Zenith set the suggested retail price for the DEFY Extreme Lapis Lazuli II at approximately $31,000 (originally HK$242,800). The DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet is priced at approximately $19,880 (originally HK$155,800), the brand said.
Neither model adds new mechanical complications to the DEFY Extreme platform; instead, Zenith used the same high-frequency technical foundation to express two different design directions, one centered on natural stone textures, the other on color and transparency.
Zenith described the releases as part of its ongoing effort to expand the DEFY Extreme series’ visual vocabulary, while keeping the El Primero 9004 movement and its 1/100-second mechanical timing as the collection’s defining technical signature.
