Nominated as a finalist in the Chronometry category in the 2018 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve awards, the Zenith DEFY Zero G has undoubtedly caught the eye with its revolutionary self-regulating gravity control device, as its centerpiece situated at 6 o’clock position.

Employing a gyroscopic module, this patented “gravity control” approach is Zenith’s novel approach to negate the effects of gravity on the running rate of the watch, by maintaining the regulating organ and the balance wheel in a horizontal position.

A nod to marine chronometers of an age gone by, the updated spherical system now fits neatly between two flat sapphire crystals in the 44 mm case (a previous iteration required convex crystals to house it), and comprises of 139 tiny components itself, contributing to a total of 324 in the manual-winding El Primero 8812S calibre.

Oscillating at 5 Hz and self-regulated by the modernised “gravity control” module, this in-house movement is a successor to the 1969 El Primero, and offers over 50-hour power reserve.

The display is a visual treat to say the least. The entirely-skeletonised and black rhodium-treated movement sits in the middle of five branches reminiscent of the Zenith star symbol. Hours and minutes appear on a blue-tinted ring featuring luminescent faceted-hour-markers and baton-type hands. Symmetrically arranged, the openworked small seconds subdial appears between 9 and 10 o’clock, whilst the power-reserve counter is between 2 and 3 o’clock.

Together, the elements accentuate the timepiece’s unique three-dimensional architecture.

Available in pink gold or titanium, the DEFY Zero G comes with a new integrated bracelet in the same metal with brushed and polished H-shaped links, or a rubber strap coated with alligator leather.

Credits

Creative Direction: Kien Lee

Photography: GreenPlasticSoldier