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SIHH＆BASEL
July 18, 2018
Introducing the Defy El Primero 21 Blue, featuring a vivid blue as its theme color | ZENITH
ZENITH
Cobalt Blue Adds Depth to a Complex Face
The Defy El Primero 21
Though the Defy El Primero 21 debuted only in 2017, it has already earned high praise and grown into a new icon for ZENITH. In 2018, the collection was expanded with striking models adopting a vivid blue color.
Text by KOIZUMI Yoko
The Ultimate Double-Temp Model Evolves Further with Color
The masterpiece chronograph movement "El Primero," announced in 1969, found its successor in "El Primero 21" in 2017, enabling measurement to the 1/100th of a second. The "21" in the model name represents the 21st century.
The first collection made waves among fans worldwide upon its release. The highlight, of course, is the caliber (Cal. 9004) powering this series. With a frequency of 360,000 vibrations per hour, it operates at ten times the speed of the original El Primero. The central chronograph hand completes a full dial rotation in one second, a distinctive feature of the El Primero 21, along with the scale on the outer edge of the dial.
Another characteristic of the caliber is its dual-structure design. To prevent the chronograph's operation from interfering with timekeeping, it is equipped with independent mechanisms for time display and for the chronograph.
The dial is skeletonized to showcase this structure without concealment. The operation of the 100-vibration balance wheel for the chronograph at 10 o'clock and the 10-vibration balance wheel for timekeeping at 8 o'clock can be viewed from the dial side.
The 12 o'clock position houses the chronograph power reserve indicator, the 9 o'clock position the small seconds, the 3 o'clock position the 30-minute counter, and the 6 o'clock position the 60-second counter. In the "Defy El Primero 21 Blue," the main plate of this new movement is finished in blue, making its distinctive details stand out sharply.
The strap options include blue alligator leather paired with rubber, matching the main plate, and an all-rubber strap. A titanium bracelet is also available, exuding a sharp, robust aesthetic.
Defy El Primero 21 Blue
Ref. | 95.9002.9004/78.R584 (Alligator x Rubber Strap)
95.9002.9004/78.R590 (Rubber Strap)
95.9002.9004/78.M9000 (Titanium Bracelet)
Movement | Automatic (El Primero 9004)
Functions | 1/100th second chronograph, timekeeping escapement 36,000 vph, chronograph escapement 360,000 vph, TIME LAB chronometer certified
Power Reserve | Over 50 hours
Case Material | Titanium
Case Diameter, Thickness | 44mm, 14.50mm
Water Resistance | 10 bar
Price | ¥1,280,000 (Alligator x Rubber Strap, Rubber Strap), ¥1,380,000 (Titanium Bracelet) *Excluding tax for both