With the DEFY Extreme Lapis Lazuli II, the ZENITH manufacture continues its exploration of the interplay between technical materials and natural stone, lending the concept a darker, edgier, and more modern interpretation.
Following the initial DEFY Extreme Lapis Lazuli edition—released in stainless steel and yellow gold—ZENITH now reimagines the concept using a completely different material approach. Produced in a limited run of 50 pieces, the DEFY Extreme Lapis Lazuli II replaces metallic reflections with the matte texture of forged carbon, giving the watch a sharper, more technical appearance.
Incorporating elements of carbon and titanium, the 45mm case successfully combines the distinctive architecture of the DEFY Extreme with an exceptional blend of lightness and structural strength. The matte, textured surfaces absorb light rather than reflecting it, accentuating the case’s graphic geometry while giving the watch an understated presence on the wrist.
Inside the case beats the El Primero 9004 caliber, featuring two independent escapements. One operates at a frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour) for standard timekeeping, while the other runs at an astonishing 50 Hz (360,000 vibrations per hour) exclusively for the chronograph. Thanks to this dual-escapement construction, the movement can measure time intervals to within one-hundredth of a second, while simultaneously providing a 50-hour power reserve for standard timekeeping and a 50-minute power reserve for the chronograph function. Visible through the sapphire crystal case back, the star-shaped oscillating weight features a satin finish. The DEFY Extreme Lapis Lazuli II comes with a black rubber strap featuring a folding clasp and a black high-performance Velcro strap. Thanks to the DEFY Extreme’s strap-change system, which is integrated directly into the case back, the two options can be easily interchanged.
The DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet takes its name from one of the most intense regions of the electromagnetic spectrum—fitting for a mechanical watch that far surpasses conventional limits of precision, boasting a 5 Hz frequency for timekeeping and a remarkable 50 Hz frequency for the chronograph function.
In this spirit, the watch’s violet color scheme is not merely an aesthetic choice; it symbolizes extreme performance, energy, and intensity, reflecting ZENITH’s pursuit of high-frequency precision.
The DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet reimagines a unique language of color and material first introduced by the Manufacture in 2020 with the DEFY 21 Ultraviolet. That captivating timepiece debuted a violet-toned movement housed within a matte, micro-blasted titanium case. Today, the DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet adopts this visual identity, reinterpreting it through the sharper, more architectural silhouette of the DEFY Extreme.
Its angular 45 mm case is crafted entirely from matte, micro-blasted titanium. Titanium proved to be the ideal material for a watch of this caliber, offering an excellent strength-to-weight ratio that ensures a remarkably lightweight and comfortable wearing experience.
The DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet combines elements of violet-tinted sapphire crystal with matching violet sub-dials. Transparency is a key feature of the design language, offering a comprehensive view of the movement’s architecture. The display comprises central hour and minute hands, a small seconds indicator at 9 o’clock, a 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock, and a 60-second counter at 6 o’clock. The composition is complemented by a central chronograph hand that completes one full rotation every second, enabling exceptionally legible measurement with hundredth-of-a-second precision. The power reserve indicator for the chronograph is positioned at 12 o’clock.
This technical achievement is made possible by the dual escapement of the El Primero 9004 caliber. The movement’s architecture features two independent escapements, each operating at its own frequency. The first beats at 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour) for standard timekeeping, while the second operates at an astonishing 50 Hz (360,000 vibrations per hour) to drive the chronograph. This second escapement powers the chronograph hand, which completes a full rotation every second, enabling the measurement of hundredths of a second to be read at a glance. Visible on the back of the watch is ZENITH’s signature star-shaped oscillating weight, which—in keeping with the movement’s color scheme—also features a violet tint.
The DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet comes on a violet rubber strap and includes two additional options: a micro-blasted titanium bracelet and a black high-performance Velcro strap. Thanks to the DEFY Extreme’s intuitive strap-change system, the three straps can be swapped effortlessly.
