| Quick specs Price: at least € 11,000 – 17,000 | $ 13,000 – 19,000 | £ 9,800 – 15,000 Size: 44 mm Reference: 96.9000.9004/27.R583 |
In 1969 Zenith introduced an iconic movement. One of the first automatic chronographs and beating at a then unprecedented and extremely precise 5 Hertz. The El Primero was born and the movement is still regarded as watch royalty. This Zenith Defy El Primero 21 Only Watch Edition has it.
Zenith chose the El Primero for the yearly Only Watch charity auction. Several watch brands create a special and unique edition and auction them to support the research of the Duchenne form of muscular dystrophy and to fund treatment, particularly for children.
The Zenith Defy El Primero 21 Only Watch Edition has a special Only Watch engraving on the back
The exact model that Zenith will auction is the Zenith Defy El Primero 21, launched at the 2017 Baselworld. The highlight being the double chain structure of the watch. The time display has an escapement of 5 Hertz while the chronograph escapement oscillates at an astonishing 50 Hertz. This means that the El Primero 21 has no need for a clutch mechanism traditionally found in chronographs.
In addition, the springs in both regulators are fully carbon. More specifically: they are created from the ultra-light and incredibly stable carbon nanotube metal matrix composite. This world first ensures that the Defy El Primero is unaffected by magnetic fields and temperature changes as well as the influence of gravity.
All this is housed in a 44-millimeter black DLC titanium case on a black alligator leather strap, lined with rubber. The case back of the unique piece is engraved and the sapphire crystal bears the logos of Only Watch and the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophy. Place your bets please!
Technical data Zenith Defy El Primero 21 Only Watch Edition |
| Reference: 96.9000.9004/27.R583 (unique piece) |
| Movement: Zenith caliber El Primero 9004 | Automatic | Diameter: 32.8 mm (14¼ lignes) | Thickness: 7.9 mm | Frequency: 36,000 vph (5 Hz) / 360,000 vph (50 Hz) for the chronograph | Two escapements | Jewels: 53 | Parts: 203 | COSC certified | Hours, minutes, small seconds, 1/100th of a second chronograph, chronograph power-reserve indicator | Power-reserve: 50 hours |
| Case & dial: 44 mm | Black DLC titanium | Thickness: 14.5 mm | Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides | Sapphire crystal engraved case back | Fluted bezel | Skeleton dial with yellow details | Hands and indexes rhodium-plated and coated with yellow super-luminova | Water-resistance: 10 ATM / 10 bar / 100 meters / 330 feet |
| Strap: Black alligator leather lined with rubber | Double folding clasp |
| Price Zenith Defy El Primero 21 Only Watch Edition: At least € 11,000 – 17,000 | $ 13,000 – 19,000 | £ 9,800 – 15,000 |
| Website: www.zenith-watches.com |