Defy El Primero Double Tourbillon – Power, Speed And Precision

Two years ago, Zenith introduced the revolutionary Defy El Primero 21, the only high-frequency automatic chronograph designed to measure hundredths of a second, ushering watchmaking firmly into the 21st century.

In 2019, the Swiss Manufacture is taking another big leap with the Defy El Primero Double Tourbillon: an innovative model powered by the El Primero 9020 calibre and its two separate escapements. One of the latter serves to keep the chronograph beating at an exceptional frequency and power the 1/100th of a second display, while the other ensures the lasting precision of the watch. This model is available in two limited editions: a 10-piece platinum version and a 50-unit carbon interpretation.

One sweep of the dial per second

With its DEFY collection, Zenith is constantly innovating and setting the standard for tomorrow's watchmaking: after the unequalled Defy El Primero 21, the first serially produced mechanical chronograph to provide hundredth of a second measurement; followed by the Defy Lab, the world’s most accurate mechanical watch with an unprecedented oscillator, the Haute Horlogerie manufacturer is unveiling the Defy El Primero Double Tourbillon. This unprecedented combination of horological complications – two tourbillons and a 1/100th of a second chronograph – features truly exceptional qualities.

A distillation of technology, innovation, performance and design, the latest addition to the Defy collection asserts itself in terms of both its construction and its aesthetics. For this model, Zenith has developed two tourbillons, a first for the Maison. In an additional feat, one of the tourbillons (at 10 o'clock) is coupled with and regulates the chronograph measuring and displaying hundredths of a second in a perfectly legible manner. Beating a frequency of 50 Hz (360,000 vibrations per hour) with its carriage performing a complete rotation every five seconds, this tourbillon is the fastest in the world. It drives the chronograph hand at the amazing speed of one full turn of the dial per second. The second tourbillon (at 8 o'clock), operating at 5 Hz with a carriage performing one rotation per minute, regulates the rate of the watch, meaning the hours, minutes and seconds.

A vivid expression of futuristic horology

Echoing this dual architecture, two dedicated barrels – one for the watch and the other for the chronograph – store and deliver energy. They respectively provide 60 hours of power reserve for the watch and 50 minutes for the 1/100th of a second chronograph. Heir to the legendary 1969 El Primero, this new high-frequency in-house movement drives the hours, minutes, 1/100th of a second chronograph, 60-second and 30-minute counters (at 6 and 9 o'clock respectively), along with a chronograph power-reserve indicator at 12 o'clock. As a further guarantee of precision, the El Primero 9020 calibre is chronometer-certified by an independent body (TimeLab).

While vividly expressing futuristic, technical and assertive watchmaking, the Defy El Primero Double Tourbillon also stands out for its powerful aesthetics. With its generously openworked dial accentuated by a two-tone treatment – a new signature of Zenith Haute Horlogerie movements – El Primero 9020 and its 311 components are shown to full advantage. The blue-treated tourbillon carriages with the Zenith star, along with the bridges and baseplate, feature polished angles that further enhance the 3D view of this stunning mechanism in motion.

Whether crafted in platinum with the collection’s characteristic satin-brushed and polished finishes and a sapphire case-back, or entirely made of carbon, the case is water-resistant to 100 metres. It is secured to the wrist with a luxurious high-tech black rubber strap, coated with alligator leather or Cordura-patterned. Effectively combining aesthetics, functionality and polymorphism, its composition is resistant, durable and hypoallergenic, while offering infinite possibilities for variations in textures, colours and topstitching. The platinum Defy El Primero Double Tourbillon is available in a 10-piece limited edition, while the carbon model is limited to 50 units.