Defy Extreme Ultraviolet by Zenith: High Frequency in a Different Spectrum
The “Defy Extreme Ultraviolet” owes its name to one of the highest-energy regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
With this name, however, Zenith is alluding not only to the new timepiece’s appearance but also to its high-frequency technology. The “Defy Extreme Ultraviolet” operates at a frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour) for timekeeping and a remarkable 50 Hz for the chronograph. This allows time intervals to be measured with an accuracy of 1/100 of a second.
The “Defy Extreme Ultraviolet” builds on the color and material aesthetic of the “Defy 21 Ultraviolet” from 2020. That model already combined a violet-tinted movement with a matte, microblasted titanium case. The new version applies this concept to the more striking, architectural silhouette of the “Defy Extreme” line.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all electromagnetic waves—that is, all forms of radiation that travel at the speed of light. They differ only in their wavelength or frequency. Visible light constitutes only a tiny portion of the entire spectrum and ranges from red to violet.
Defy Extreme Ultraviolet – Transparency in Violet
The angular 45 × 15.4-millimeter case, made of matte, microblasted titanium, is water-resistant to 20 bar. Zenith combines its virtually non-reflective appearance with violet-tinted sapphire crystal and color-coordinated sub-dials.
Transparency, as a central design element, also allows a view of the movement’s architecture from the dial side. The dial features central hour and minute hands, a small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock, a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a 60-second counter at 6 o’clock, and the central chronograph hand. The chronograph’s power reserve indicator is located at 12 o’clock.
El Primero 9004 – High-frequency movement with 5 and 50 hertz
The El Primero 9004 caliber features two independent escapements, each with its own frequency. The first operates at 5 Hz (36,000 half-vibrations per hour) and is responsible for timekeeping. The second oscillates at 50 Hz (360,000 half-vibrations per hour) and drives the chronograph exclusively.
It controls the chronograph hand, which rotates around the dial once per second, thereby enabling an easy-to-read measurement accurate to 1/100 of a second.
The sapphire crystal case back reveals Zenith’s distinctive star-shaped oscillating weight, which is also tinted violet to match the color scheme.
The “Defy Extreme Ultraviolet” comes with a purple rubber strap and two additional strap options: a microblasted titanium strap and a black Velcro strap. Thanks to the quick-change system, all straps can be swapped out without tools. (MSRP: €20,200)
