Early last year, Zenith unveiled the Chronomaster Sport with an El Primero calibre measuring 1/10th of a second. The El Primero 3600 calibre offered superior performance and a far better readable 1/10th of a second display on its ceramic bezel. Moving forward to 2022, Zenith has turned the spotlight on the Defy collection, with three references - 21 Chroma (Ref 49.9010.9004/01.R947), Midnight (Ref No 16.9200.670/33.MI001 and Ref No 16.9200.670/34.MI001), and Skyline (Ref No 03.9300.3620/01.I001, Ref No 03.9300.3620/51.I001 and Ref No 03.9300.3620/21.I001.); honouring the world's first chronograph movement it had launched in 1969.

Also Read | Master Of Precision: Zenith Chronomaster Sport

DEFY 21 CHROMA

Limited to 200 pieces, the Defy 21 Chroma model uses a combination of different colours in the visible light range. With a case in white ceramic, the dial features an entire spectrum of hues spread across the skeletal movement, starting with red at 12 o'clock then moving towards orange, yellow, green, blue, violet ,and pink in clockwise form.

With the chrono power reserve window at 12 o' clock in orange, the carefully applied colours go beyond the dial and case towards the crown's rubber grip, and the white strap with multi-colour stitching. The use of colours move even on the three chronograph hands in violet, yellow, and blue.

Powering this watch is an in house El Primero 9004 automatic movement with a 5Hz frequency with a 50-hour power reserve. The hour and hand markers are rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with ‘rainbow’ varnish. The watch comes in a white rubber strap with white ‘Cordura effect’ rubber and multicolored, titanium triple folding clasp buckle with a water resistance of 100 metres. The white open worked dial is further finished in ‘rainbow’ PVD-coated bridges and special blue coloured oscillating weight with satined finishings.

DEFY MIDNIGHT

Launched in 2020, the first Defy Midnight collection was Zenith's way of breaking the stereotype and launching an exclusive line-up solely for women. Come 2022, Zenith is upping the ante with two watches that are a perfect blend of both sporty as well as feminine - DEFY Midnight Sunset and DEFY Midnight Borealis.

Both the watches come in a 36mm case with diamonds on the bezel, and a striking, radiant wave pattern dial. In the DEFY Midnight Sunset (Ref 16.9200.670/33.MI001), this means that the dial effortlessly changes from bright red to deep yellow, giving a dual-tone effect, and in the DEFY Midnight Borealis (Ref 16.9200.670/34.MI001) the dial replicates the famous Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights; the watch features a midnight blue dial that transcends into an emerald green. The hands are rhodium-plated and faceted, coated with Super-LumiNova.

Zenith's traditional star sits on top of the logo, and both models get white diamonds at every hour marker, except at 3 o’clock where the date window is placed. Both models feature the quick strap-change system allowing the wearer to customise integrated stainless steel bracelet with any of the three supplied leather, textile, and rubber straps, effortlessly. Zenith has collaborated with Nona Source, a start-up under the LVMH group, to introduce a new line of sustainable straps using deadstock fabrics directly from the group’s most prestigious fashion and leather goods brands. The watch comes in a special box that is also a storage case for precious items and includes the three additional coloured straps and an interchangeable folding buckle.

The watches are powered by Elite 670 SK automatic movement with a 4Hz frequency, and gets a 50-hour power reserve. The watch comes with a 100metre water resistance.

DEFY SKYLINE

For Zenith, the Defy Skyline series is dedicated to those who follow their light and forge their own path. The new Defy Skyline draws inspiration from the unique octagonal geometry of the early Defy models, and so the new 41mm stainless steel models comes with defined edges, reimagined with 12 sides The dial is star-studded with a sunburst finish , the motif of the 4-point star engraved throughout the dial. Besides the central hour and minute hands, and the date window at 3 o’clock finished in the same colour as the dial, for the first time there is a 1/10th of a second hand window at 9 o' clock. This is driven directly from the escapement and helped tremendously by the 5Hz movement). It is also has a stop-second mechanism for precise time-setting.

The hour markers and hands are black ruthenium-plated, faceted, and coated with Super-LumiNova. The watch comes in an integrated stainless steel bracelet but the wearer can customise it with additional straps - khaki green or a black rubber strap with starry sky pattern and folding clasp. The watch also comes with an option of three dials - a silver-toned, an all-black, or a blue dial with a colour-coordinated rubber strap with a starry sky design.

Powering the Defy Skyline is the El Primero 3620, automatic movement with a 5Hz frequency and a 60-hour power reserve. The automatic winding mechanism with bi- directional rotor with a star motif delivers a power reserve of approximately 60 hours. The watch has a water resistance of 100 metres.