September 4 2025

Zenith DEFY Chronograph USM – A Capsule Collection In Four Colours

Ricardo Amaral NEW RELEASES, ZENITH 2025, Chronograph, Geneva Watch Days, Limited Edition, USM 0

In 1969, Zenith made horological history with the launch of the El Primero, the world’s first high-frequency automatic chronograph calibre. That same year also marked the debut of the Defy, a robust sports watch renowned for its angular architecture and resilience. For 2025, these two milestones converge for the very first time in the new Zenith DEFY Chronograph USM, created in collaboration with Swiss design house USM Modular Furniture.

A Case Rooted in the Past

The DEFY Chronograph USM retains the proportions and bold geometry of the original Defy Revival. Its compact 37 mm stainless steel case features sharply faceted lines, a 14-sided bezel, and a mix of brushed and polished finishes that highlight its sculptural profile. Practical elements include a screw-down crown, two pump pushers, and 100m water resistance, making the model both historically faithful and functional.

Attached to the case is the legendary “ladder” bracelet, first designed by Gay Frères in the late 1960s, here re-created in stainless steel for a fully authentic look.

Four Signature Colours

The collaboration with USM Modular Furniture is most evident on the dial. Available in Gentian Blue, Golden Yellow, Pure Orange, and USM Green, each version reflects USM’s signature colour palette. Architectural-style square hour markers and rhodium-plated hands filled with Super-LumiNova ensure clarity, while the chronograph’s silver-colored, overlapping counters – 30-minute at 3 o’clock, 12-hour at 6 o’clock, and small seconds at 9 o’clock – are finished with an elegant blue snailing texture and hands in the same color as the dial. A discreet date display sits at 4:30.

Adding a playful detail, the central chronograph seconds hand is tipped with a miniature USM ball joint, complete with luminescent filling.

Powered by the El Primero

Inside, the watch beats the El Primero 400 calibre, a direct descendant of the trailblazing 1969 El Primero. It operates at 36,000 vibrations per hour (5Hz), ensuring exceptional precision, and offers a 55-hour power reserve. The movement is visible through the sapphire caseback, where the rotor is decorated with Zenith’s openworked star and both brand logos – a clear nod to the fusion of watchmaking and industrial design.

Limited Capsule Collection

Each version of the DEFY Chronograph USM is produced in a limited run of 60 pieces, underscoring its exclusivity. The watches are delivered in a specially designed USM Haller timepiece box, reinforcing the collaboration’s design-driven identity.

Price & Availability

The Zenith DEFY Chronograph USM is priced at CHF 10,900, available in four colour variants, each strictly limited to 60 examples worldwide.