he Defy Extreme Double Tourbillon represents the pinnacle of innovative haute horlogerie as Zenith envisions it. Not complicated for complication’s sake, but a true advancement of high-precision chronographs that builds on over 50 years of innovation and improvement of the high-frequency automatic chronograph that began with the El Primero.

Constructed like no other chronograph movement, it is equipped with two independent tourbillons completing rotations in 60 seconds for the time-keeping tourbillon and 5 seconds for the chronograph’s tourbillon, making it among the fastest tourbillons ever made, as well as the only 1/100th of a second chronograph, beating at the phenomenal rate of 360’000 VpH.

Conceived with endurance and ruggedness in mind and perfectly suited to house such an intricate and complex movement, the Defy Extreme Double Tourbillon’s angular and robust case measures 45mm wide and is available in two executions. The first is crafted entirely in titanium with a mix of satin-brushed, polished and matte surfaces including the bracelet, while the second is done in carbon fiber with sandblasted matte rose gold twelve-sided bezel and pusher protectors on a black textured rubber strap. Its open dial, with applied chronograph counters and tinted transparent sapphire elements, allows for an unobstructed view of the groundbreaking movement and its two tourbillon mechanisms with star-shaped cages.

And it’s not just the movement’s exceptional performance and ultra-modern architecture that make it a showstopper. Something of a signature among Zenith’s recent haute horlogerie creations, the movement’s decoration takes on a modern and heavily contrasting look that emphasizes its futuristic nature. First, the movement’s open and satin-brushed bridges are coated in a layer of black PVD. Then, the edges of those bridges are highlighted in rose gold color, revealing the geometric forms of the bridges in a true departure from traditional watchmaking decoration techniques.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Key points: 1/100th of a second Double Tourbillon. Chronograph movement .1 Tourbillon escapement for the Watch (36,000 VpH - 5 Hz) ; 1 Tourbillon escapement for the Chronograph (360,000 VpH - 50 Hz). Exclusive dynamic signature of one rotation per second for the Chrono hand. Certified Chronometer. 2 straps included : 2 Velcro (carbon effect & cordura effect)

Movement: El Primero 9020

Power reserve: Min. 50 hours for the watch / 50 min for the chronograph

Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. Double Tourbillon. 1 escapement for the Watch (36,000 VpH / 5 Hz - cage makes a turn in 60 second). 1 escapement for the Chronograph (360,000 VpH / 50 Hz - cage makes a turn in 5 second).

1/100th of a second Chronograph: Central chronograph hand that makes one turn each second / 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock / 60-second counter at 6 o’clock / Chronograph power reserve indication at 12 o’clock

Finishes: Special oscillating weight with satined finishings

Material: Black Carbon & 18-ct rose gold

Water resistance: 20 ATM

Dial: Openworked

Case: 45 mm

Hour-markers: Gold-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1 [Hour markers]

Hands: Gold-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1 [Hands]

Strap & Buckle: Black Rubber with microblasted titanium triple folding clasp

Price: CHF 79,000