Zenith aims the top in its league with the El Primero Defy 21 Carbon, which brings the Defy Collection that was re-introduced in 2017 together with today’s contemporary watchmaking standards.
The brand’s cult model family Defy Collection, which has been added to the product group with a successful rebirth operation in 2017, continues to attract the attention of watch enthusiasts with its renewed face. The model from the collection that hosted the most important Baselworld 2019 novelties of the brand El Primero Defy 21 Carbon is the guest of our pages, which was highly acclaimed with its carbon case and all black look.
The new model comes in a modern Defy El Primero 21 style case with a diameter of 44mm and a height of 14.5mm. Made of forged carbon material, the case is equipped with anti-glare coated sapphire crystals on both sides and is water resistant to 100 meters / 10 bars, which is more than enough for a mechanical sports chronograph. The case is accompanied with a carbon case back as well as a carbon winding crown and a pair of chronograph pushers.
Zenith El Primero Defy 21 Carbon is equipped with a partially skeletonized dial. Featuring the thematic details of the Defy 21 model family, the dial hosts a black hour/minute scale and sub-counters with contrasting white fonts that match nicely with the anthracite finished movement components to provide a sporty and industrial image. The red accents in the power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock and central second hands adds some spice to this monochrome color palette.
Zenith El Primero Defy 21 Carbon is powered by the manufacture Caliber El Primero 9004 movement, which we know from the different versions of the model family. The most important feature of the automatic chronograph movement is its twin escapement system. One escapement is just for the time and the other just for the chronograph, with the first running at 5Hz/36,000vph and the latter running at 50Hz/360,000vph. 53 jewels movement is COSC certified and capable of offering up to 55 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
The model is offered with two different strap alternatives: Black rubber strap or black rubber strap with alligator top layer; titanium and carbon double folding clasp with black DLC coating.
Zenith El Primero Defy 21 Carbon is available with a list price of 20.790 CHF. If you do not prefer the black theme or don’t want to pay the premium for carbon material, let me remind you that there are also stainless steel models in the -10,000 CHF range in the collection.
