Zenith Defy 21 Urban Jungle Watch Review
The Zenith Defy 21 Urban Jungle is housed in a green ceramic case and features the ‘fastest chronograph with a 1/100th of a second precision.’ But most of all, this model provides further evidence that Julien Tornare, the CEO of Zenith, along with his management team, is conceiving technically brilliant, highly desirable watches.
Zenith Watches depuis 1865
The Swiss watch brand, Zenith was founded in 1865. Its history is punctuated with several significant events. For example, when Louis Blériot traversed the English Channel in 1909, the first man to do so, he wore a Zenith watch. Moreover, in 1969, the firm from Le Locle released the first self-winding chronograph with a 5Hz frequency, a feat that still eludes most Maisons, some 50 years later.
The danger with fixating on the past, however impressive that may be, is that a company can overlook the future. Thankfully, Zenith has adopted a 360° perspective, discovering treasures in its archives and releasing revival models while also unveiling new, high-tech avant-garde creations.
Zenith Defy Lab (2017)
And who can forget the ingenious Defy Lab, released in 2017? This model set aside the ubiquitous Swiss lever escapement, used in most mechanical watches, in favour of an ‘ultra-high accuracy’ oscillator. This means of controlling the flow of time featured within the ZO 342 calibre, a 15 Hz movement. Furthermore, the watch was housed in an ultra-light aluminium composite case.
In 2017, Julien Tornare was appointed CEO of the Swiss marque. Since his arrival, he has made Zenith even more desirable, capitalising on the firm’s past while embracing new technology. In recent times, the El Primero 21 has reaffirmed the brand’s reputation for ingenuity, especially in the field of chronographs.
Zenith El Primero 21 – the fastest chronograph
The El Primero 21 is reputedly the ‘fastest chronograph with a 1/100th of a second precision.’ Unusually, the movement features two escapements. One escapement serves the timekeeping indications and features a balance operating at 5Hz. The second escapement is dedicated to the chronograph functions and runs at a dizzying 50Hz. Despite the high-frequencies at play and the energy-quaffing characteristics this implies, the movement still has a decent power reserve of 50 hours.
Zenith Defy 21 Urban Jungle – green ceramic case
Last year, Zenith unveiled the Defy 21 Ultraviolet and the Defy 21 Black & White, both of which I reported on at the time. Now, there is a new model, Zenith Defy 21 Urban Jungle, housed in a verdant green ceramic case. The strap is formed of black rubber and khaki green ‘Cordura effect’ rubber.
Once again, Zenith has produced a highly desirable watch. Moreover, under Mr Tornare’s stewardship, I suspect the brand will continue to respect its patrimony while wholeheartedly embracing new technology and ingenious ideas.
- Price: CHF 14,400 (RRP as of 1.3.2021)
Zenith Defy 21 Urban Jungle – the brand’s press release
The fastest chronograph in production gets a new, bold colourway in shades of green: Meet the DEFY 21 Urban Jungle.
Through the DEFY collection, Zenith continues to set new standards in both precision and avant-garde design, using innovative and high-performance materials paired with ground-breaking manufacture movements. An exceptional 1/100th of a second chronograph that pushes the limits of high-frequency precision with a futuristic design language, the DEFY 21 Urban Jungle stands out with its khaki green tones. This special rendition of the DEFY 21 is made for those who see the sprawling metropolis as their playground; where a horizon of towering concrete, steel and glass opens up a world where every day is an adventure full of dreams and infinite possibilities. Audacious yet subtle, the DEFY 21 Urban Jungle deftly blends into its surroundings.
In a first for Zenith, the manufacture has cladded its 1/100th of a second chronograph in a green ceramic armour for the DEFY 21 Urban Jungle. Highly scratch-resistant and intensely coloured, the Urban Jungle’s khaki green ceramic case is finished entirely with matte surface, flying under the radar while still standing out to its wearer. Visible through the open dial with matte silver and black counters, the unrivalled high-frequency chronograph with two regulating organs is decorated with a khaki green coloured main plate and star-shaped oscillating rotor. Completing the look is a grey rubber strap with a green cordura-effect rubber insert.