In yet another master sleight of hand, Zenith stunned the world in 2017 with the grand release of the new Zenith DEFY EL PRIMERO 21. A chronometric reinvention of accuracy and reliability, the DEFY EL PRIMERO 21 is the ultimate embodiment of the spirit of innovation that has coursed through Zenith’s blood for the past 150 years.

In 1969, Zenith launched El Primero, the first ever fully integrated automatic column-wheel chronograph movement, enabling 1/10^th of a second precision. The ultimate fulfilment of a quest for perfection and a proven ability to create watchmaking legends, this groundbreaking model laid a new milestone in watchmaking history that had never been surpassed – until now. Half a century later, Zenith has once again defied tradition and pushed all existing boundaries, leading us into the world of 1/100^th of a second accuracy. A legend reborn, the Zenith DEFY EL PRIMERO 21 is the shining 21^st century symbol of a new future for a brand with a truly unique guiding star.

When it comes to pursuing the extreme, Zenith knows no limits

The Zenith DEFY EL PRIMERO 21 represents a quantum leap in both performance and mechanical design. This is a competition against no-one but itself. The newly upgraded movement of this outstanding timepiece boasts a frequency of 360,000 A/H (50 Hz), ten times that of its world-famous El Primero predecessor, enabling 1/100^th of a second precision. An exquisitely designed display magnifies the effect of this astonishing frequency: the inner bezel bears a scale graduated from 1 to 100 around which a 1/100^th of a second hand sweeps at a lightning speed of one turn per second, offering unprecedented visual impact and a surreal time-travelling experience for the lucky wearer.  Echoing the trend in modern engineering development and ensuring optimal performance, this incredible mechanical complication is achieved using a far smaller number of components, minimising tedious assembly and adjustments. In addition to significantly improved performance and mechanical structure, the design of the TIME LAB-chronometer certified DEFY EL PRIMERO 21 draws inspiration from the rugged good looks of its 1969 predecessor.

Supremely sophisticated silver-tone closed dial

In a stylish departure from its characteristic open-work dial, the DEFY EL PRIMERO 21 now features a timeless, elegant, supremely sophisticated silver closed dial, offering a strikingly contemporary background for the key identifying characteristics of the legendary original: a star-tipped sweep-seconds hand, large luminescent baton-type hands and facetted hour-markers all paying proud tribute in a stunning demonstration of futuristic brilliance. With its sleek rhodium-plated hour-markers and hands, the dial is also home to a chronograph power-reserve indication at 12 o'clock, hours and minutes in the centre, and contrasting black small seconds at 9 o'clock, black 60-second counter at 6 o'clock and black 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock. Taking the hallmark style of this closed dial model of the DEFY EL PRIMERO 21 to even greater levels of sophistication, the 44 mm grade 5 brushed titanium case is perfectly complemented by an opulent brushed titanium bracelet. An artfully transparent sapphire crystal case-back provides a fascinating secret view of the rich inner workings of this exceptional timepiece. With a generous 50-hour power reserve, the DEFY EL PRIMERO 21 Brushed Titanium with closed dial is water-resistant to 100 metres, making it the perfect accessory for men for whom tough, lightweight, high-performance elegance is a must.