The watch business is at the moment within the midst of an unique supplies revolution. Over the previous a number of years, we’ve seen a wider proliferation of high-tech supplies like solid carbon, ceramics, and titanium than ever earlier than, however manufacturers are additionally experimenting with wilder case materials choices starting from pure sapphire to rarely-seen unique metals. Zenith is not any stranger to this avant-garde territory, with latest choices showcasing supplies from carbon fiber to copper-niobium alloy. As a part of its LVMH Watch Week 2023 novelties, nevertheless, the model steps additional into uncharted materials territory with a case partially crafted in a scarcely seen semi-precious stone – chalcedony. The brand new restricted version Zenith Defy Excessive Glacier evokes a few of nature’s most frigid and hostile environments with a singular translucent ice blue colorway, coupled to one in all Zenith’s most dynamic and technically succesful designs.

At 45mm-wide, the built-in bracelet titanium and chalcedony case of the Zenith Defy Excessive Glacier ought to carry an unapologetically daring stance on the wrist. The layered, sharply faceted kind is carried over from earlier iterations of the Defy Excessive, however whereas components such because the two-layer bezel design and angular polished lug chamfers could also be acquainted Zenith offers this present design a markedly completely different really feel in pictures due to its new chalcedony components. Each the dodecagonal decrease layer of the bezel and the broad, wedgelike crown/pusher guards are rendered on this pale blue, semi-transparent stone, which introduces a suitably icy ethos to the general package deal in pictures. As well as, Zenith claims that since chalcedony incorporates random pure inclusions and striations, every unit on this restricted version manufacturing run will current a barely completely different look. This frigid, advanced materials could show divisive amongst lovers, but it surely undoubtedly units this design aside from its stablemates at a look. This new chalcedony development doesn’t appear to have an effect on the Defy Excessive’s rugged sturdiness, as this mannequin maintains the usual manufacturing design’s hefty 200 meters of water resistance.

Surprisingly, the Zenith Defy Excessive Glacier presents a extra reserved dial presentation than the remainder of the Defy Excessive lineup. A lot of the explanation for this cleaner, extra refined look in pictures comes courtesy of the sapphire dial floor. Whereas the complete Defy Excessive collection presents clear sapphire dials, the Defy Excessive Glacier tops every of its 4 subdials with a frosted end. Not solely does this reinforce the icy visible theme in pictures, however this additionally aids legibility considerably by making nearly all of the general dial floor extra distinct towards the backdrop of the Defy Excessive Glacier’s intricate skeleton motion. The dial nonetheless presents a number of layers of skeletonized element in photographs, however this strikes an admirable steadiness between spectacle and practicality. Ice blue lume fills for the semi-skeletonized paddle handset and chunky, faceted utilized indices assist to additional tie the chalcedony case materials into the general design. As well as, the chronograph registers, 9 o’clock working seconds subdial, and 12 o’clock energy reserve subdial are all sharply laid out, ethereal, and simply legible at a look. For these uninitiated within the Defy Excessive line, nevertheless, the outer decimal scale in white could show complicated. Because of the Defy Excessive Glacier’s extraordinarily high-frequency chronograph escapement, the central chronograph hand completes its circuit across the dial as soon as per second moderately than as soon as per minute. It’s a particularly efficient piece of visible drama when activated, and permits the Defy Excessive Glacier to trace 1/100-second intervals with a purely mechanical chronograph motion.

Contained in the Zenith Defy Excessive Glacier beats the in-house El Primero 9004 computerized chronograph motion (sadly the model was unable to offer pictures of this motion previous to publishing time). The El Primero 9004 has made its method into many upper-echelon Zenith chronograph choices in recent times and stays a showpiece within the model’s steady for one chief cause – its dealing with of the chronograph complication. Slightly than routing all capabilities of the motion by means of a single escapement, the El Primero 9004 makes use of an modern dual-escapement system to permit the bottom motion and the chronograph complication to run at completely different frequencies. The primary timekeeping handset makes use of an escapement working on the El Primero’s conventional (and already very quick) 36,000 bph beat fee. In contrast, the devoted chronograph escapement beats a full ten instances sooner, with a blistering frequency of 360,000 bph. This hyperactive beat fee permits the central 1/100 second hand to function easily however does restrict the general recording size of the chronograph to half-hour. Exterior of its distinctive tackle the chronograph complication, the El Primero 9004’s efficiency is strong, with a strong 60-hour energy reserve.

Zenith pairs the Defy Excessive Glacier with a trio of included built-in quick-change strap choices. The primary of those is the Defy Excessive line’s normal titanium bracelet, with a sharply faceted H-link design that includes brightly polished chamfers to distinction the clear linear brushed surfaces in photographs. For extra selection, the model additionally features a textured white rubber strap that echoes the H-link bracelet design with raised rubber middle segments. This brilliant optic white choice additional harmonizes with the wintry visible theme in pictures and will show to be a bolder choice on the wrist than the bracelet. Lastly, for extra strenuous situations, the Defy Excessive Glacier additionally features a black material and rubber strap with Velcro closure.

Amid the continued unique supplies arms race embroiling the watch business, the restricted version Zenith Defy Excessive Glacier with its icy chalcedony accents proves the model remains to be on the forefront of mixing new supplies with unique designs and spectacular motion work. Solely 50 examples of the Zenith Defy Excessive Glacier can be made, and the watch is accessible now completely by means of Zenith boutiques and the model’s e-commerce platform. MSRP for the Zenith Defy Excessive Glacier stands at $26,100 USD as of press time. For extra info, please go to the model’s web site.