Introducing the Zenith Defy 21 Ultraviolet Chronograph With Violet Movement

If you love purple, Zenith has the watch for you. The Swiss watch brand is calling it violet — the ultimate end of the color spectrum (think Roy G. Biv). After violet, the next highest frequency of light is the invisible ultraviolet light. By taking this extreme color and pairing it with Zenith’s highest frequency chronograph in production, the Defy 21, the brand brings energy and intensity to the forefront.

The color purple

This, of course, is not unusual for Zenith. The brand has long been a pioneer and a leader when it comes to the development of advanced calibers and chronographs. It makes sense that it would combine its innovative Defy 21 watch with the color of royalty, and do so in a unique way. Instead of adding a violet dial, the band has treated its revolutionary El Primero 21 automatic movement — that beats at a high frequency of 50Hz and times to 1/100th of a second —  so that many of its parts are violet. The movement colors are not all the same, some are lighter and others darker and more vibrant. The angular bridges are the most impressive, especially when seen with the three gray chronograph registers and the gray flange ring.

The bold look of the Defy 21 Ultraviolet

The constantly moving  white-tipped central 1/100th of a second chronograph hand, which makes a complete revolution above the dial in one second, adds drama to the watch. It is all visible via the dial (less) side — making this the first  Defy 21 with an open dial and closed chronograph counters (other than the Defy 21 El Primero 50^th Anniversary edition boxed set). The Defy 21 Ultraviolet Chronograph is finished with a black rubber strap with violet inserts to emulate the look of woven fabric.

Impressions of the Zenith Defy 21 Ultraviolet

While I have not yet had the chance to go hands on with this watch, I did get to see it in a zoom meeting with Zenith CEO Julien Tornare, who was excited about the pairing of the colors and the movement. I expect that at $13,100, this watch will excite Zenith followers, as well. By the way, the name of this watch is pretty ultra, too.

Technical Specs of the Zenith Defy 21 Ultraviolet Watch

REF: 97.9001.9004/80.R922

Key points:Unique Violet 1/100th of a second chronograph movement. Exclusive dynamic signature of one rotation per second. 1 escapement for the Watch (36,000 VpH – 5 Hz); 1 escapement for the Chronograph (360,000 VpH – 50 Hz).Special linear power reserve indicator. TIME LAB Chronometer certified.

Movement: El Primero 9004 automatic – Ultraviolet finishings

Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)

Power reserve: approx. 50 hours

Functions: 1/100th of a second chronograph functions. Chronograph power-reserve indication at 12 o’clock. Hours and minutes in the centre. Small seconds at 9 o’clock, Central chronograph hand, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, 60-second counter at 6 o’clock

Material: Microblasted Titanium

Water resistance: 10 ATM

Dial: Special open dial with grey closed chronograph registers

Hour markers: rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C1

Hands: rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C1

Bracelet & Buckle:Violet fabric effect strap. Microblasted titanium double folding clasp

Price: $13,100.