Zenith Introduces The DEFY Extreme Collection, The Colorful DEFY 21 Spectrum Series, And Icons Program

Judging by the excitement generated around recent launches from brands as diverse as Oris and DOXA, it’s safe to say that brightly colored dials are experiencing a comeback.

Zenith is no stranger to pairing high-frequency movements and hues. After all, who can forget 2020’s DEFY 21 Ultraviolet, which took its inspiration from a super intense purple that claims to be the color with the highest frequency. These limited editions were a hit with collectors, and the brand quickly followed up with a DEFY 21 Pink Edition.
 

Now the manufacture continues to explore these themes of shade and light with the DEFY 21 Spectrum collection. These chronographs incorporate natural colors everywhere but on the dial.

Forty-four baguette-cut gemstones — green tsavorite for the green edition, orange sapphire for the orange edition, blue sapphire for the blue edition, amethyst for the purple edition, and black spinel for the black edition — have been added to the bezel for extra brilliance. The movements are also tinted to match the gemstone through an innovative pigmentation process. Plus, the color of each model's rubber strap is the same as the gemstone to complete the look.
 

There is one common design element that all five models share: a 44mm stainless steel case set with 288 brilliant-cut white diamonds. And the reflecting sparkle of the diamonds amplifies the vibrancy of the model color for a dazzling effect.

This DEFY 21 series has been named Spectrum after the range of colors produced by the different wavelengths of visible light. Most humans can perceive only seven distinct colors in the spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
 

So far, the Spectrum collection consists of only five models that take on different frequencies of visible light (the brand is counting black as a color, though technically, it is a shade, not a color). But hopefully, red, yellow, and indigo models will be released in the not-so-distant future.

Like the Felipe Pantone, the DEFY 21 Spectrum uses its color palette to create a kind of kinetic art, powered by the El Primero 21 movement, Zenith’s revolutionary chronograph that beats at the astonishing rate of 50Hz (360,000 VpH). This high-frequency mechanism is the fastest chronograph in production, and it is the only one that can accurately measure and legibly display time in 1/100th-of-a-second increments. 
 

The DEFY 21 Spectrum series will be available in June and limited to 10 pieces in each color. It is priced at $35,900 and will be available exclusively at Zenith boutiques around the world.

The brand’s other big Watches & Wonders announcement is the Zenith Icons program: A bid to preserve the company’s most important historical references by allowing watch collectors an opportunity to own a piece of watchmaking history.

Here’s how it works: Zenith is currently tracking down the finest, most well-preserved examples of its most important historical references. Once found, the Zenith team works with the Heritage Department to research its history and ensure all the components are genuine. Fortunately, Zenith has an archive that spans the history of production, making it possible to identify and authenticate even the smallest component of any watch it has ever built. 
 

Once the Heritage Department approves a timepiece, the Zenith purchases it then turns it over it to the Heritage team in Le Locle, who conduct further inspections and any necessary restorations. Once the work is completed and certified, these historic timepieces will be sold exclusively at Zenith’s boutiques.