Zenith Defy El Primero 21 – a model for the 21st century
Swiss watchmaker Zenith has been around for a century and a half since its inception, and even in the third millennium, it firmly maintains its position with a new ‘hundredth’ chronograph. They have remained true to their roots, and the new Defy El Primero watches boast excellent performance: their own certified movement controls the hundredth display via a central hand, which is characterised by a unique dynamic signature of one rotation per second. With its 44 mm titanium case, the Defy El Primero 21 is a master of precision. The most accurate series-produced chronograph from 1969 is entering a whole new era.
Zenith, the recognised champion of high-frequency chronographs thanks to its legendary El Primero movement, defines precision with the Defy El Primero 21 watch. From tenths to hundredths of a second, this represents a huge leap forward in terms of performance and engineering.
From 10 to 100 – increasing speed
1969: Zenith makes a major contribution to the chronograph family with its El Primero watch (El Primero means ‘first’ in Esperanto): the automatic integrated mechanism with a column wheel ticks at a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz) and achieves a tenth of a second, which is a chronometric certificate of accuracy. Today, El Primero watches are the most accurate series-produced chronographs in the world. The new century brings new knowledge and improvements based on the same DNA, on the basis of which Zenith is improving the performance of its watches. The Defy El Primero 21 model displays hundredths of a second with a central hand and ticks at a frequency of 50 Hz, making this watch 10 times faster and more accurate than its famous predecessor. Hard work is paying off in the form of a stellar revival of the watch.
Precision, speed and reliability: the 1969 El Primero and the Defy El Primero 21 share the same winning genes. The brand boasts a record 2,333 awards in the field of chronometry. The main difference is that industrialisation was taken into account from the outset when developing the new generation. Defy El Primero 21: 32 mm in diameter compared to 30 mm for its predecessor; at 7.9 mm thick, it is 1.4 mm thicker than the original; it is composed of 203 components compared to the 1969 model, which consists of 278 components. More complex mechanical functions are performed by fewer components – just like in the automotive and aerospace industries. The Defy El Primero 21 model has its roots in modern engineering, which involves statistical dimensioning corresponding to functional dimensioning using machines. Everything has been designed to ensure simplified assembly and adjustment to achieve the highest level of performance and certification.
The new model introduces a completely new series of El Primero watches, which offer improved performance and new regulating components, as well as a patented chronograph control mechanism. This modern calibre, equipped with a chronometric certificate and measuring hundredths of a second, proudly displays its ambition: to become the most accurate watch on the market. By combining modern technology with traditional expertise, Zenith's rich history is linked to modern discoveries in the watchmaking industry.
Dual architecture
The central chronograph hand completes a full rotation around the dial in one second, representing the aesthetic and visual uniqueness of the new Defy El Primero 21 model. This simple, fast and direct readability of hundredths of a second allows us to capture reality in every second.
The frequency reaches an impressive 360,000 vibrations per hour, ensuring accuracy to one hundredth of a second. Energy consumption is 10 times higher than its predecessor.
Another unique feature stems from the determination to avoid the risks of a chronograph that would disrupt the smooth running of the watch. For this reason, the Defy El Primero 21 model is equipped with two independent ‘gearboxes’ - one ensures the running of the watch and the other the functionality of the chronograph. Each has its own gear train and release system without a connected clutch.
Thanks to its historical roots, the watch's balance wheel oscillates at a high frequency of 5 Hz -
36,000 vibrations per hour, which has been a characteristic feature of El Primero watches since 1969. El Primero watches have been precision instruments from the very beginning. The certified automatic movement has a 50-hour power reserve.
In addition to its integrated design, dual architecture and remarkable chronometric performance, the new El Primero 21 the El Primero 21 watch has a patented chronograph reset function consisting of three heart-shaped parts and an exclusive start mechanism that simultaneously resets the seconds, tenths and hundredths of a second.
A tradition with a future
The new generation of El Primero dual architecture watches powers the central hour and minute functions. The seconds dial is located at 9 o'clock, the hundredths of a second hand moves around the circumference of the watch, the 30-minute counter is located at 3 o'clock, the seconds and tenths of a second at 6 o'clock, and the chronograph reserve indicator is located at 12 o'clock. The watch is manually wound using the crown, which works in both directions (winding and time setting): clockwise to wind the chronograph, counter-clockwise to wind the watch. Only 25 turns of the crown are needed to wind the chronograph. The unusual design allows us to look into the soul of the watch, revealing its individual components. The oscillating weight controls the unidirectional automatic winding function of the watch.
Uniqueness to the hundredth
The Defy El Primero 21 watch incorporates Zenith's new generation of chronographs, based on contemporary technology and equipped with an extraordinary visual, auditory and dynamic identity.
They proudly represent the manufacturer's long tradition and expertise in the field of chronometry, while also incorporating the latest technological advances. This know-how or expertise is also reflected in the impressive design - the 44 mm diameter titanium case is inspired by the original El Primero models. The model is equipped with a fluted crown and pushers. The case with short lugs features a polished and satin finish, while the rubber strap with leather insert is secured with a double blade.
The hundredth display makes an impression at first glance with its inner frame with a scale from 0 to 100 and a very fast hundredth chronograph hand that makes one revolution in an incredible one second.
The open dial reveals an elegant modern style that captures the new Zenith brand range. All these characteristic features of El Primero watches are also present in the Defy El Primero 21 models, along with subdials in two colours (blue and grey), perfectly reflecting the legendary chronographs from 1969.
Defy El Primero 21, the definition of authentic Swiss manufacturing and the certainty of new innovations.
