After the Defy 21 Ultraviolet, which Zenith introduced last year, the brand is continuing its quest for vibrant colors with the new Defy 21 Ultrablue. This combines in an exciting way past and present, as blue also played an important role in the history of the El Primero. When launched in 1969, it was also this color that underscored how unique that watch was. When we fast forward to 2021, that hasn't changed a bit.

Can a watch be everything at the same time? Zenith is making a plausible case that it can, with the new Defy 21 Urban Jungle. For the brand, this model proves to be a versatile canvas that can be lavishly decorated with gemstones, like the previously released Pink Edition, or be down to earth like the Land Rover Limited Edition. Two things that even the more extreme watches in the collection share are their superb performance and strong Zenith-DNA.

Sometimes the most common colors can have a very powerful impact when used in a watch. This is most certainly the case with the two new Defy models that Zenith just introduced. Both the Defy Classic and the Defy 21 are made in black and white and look more expressive than ever.

Online brand boutiques are more and more, becoming a pillar of success to many brands. Especially the Covid-19 pandemic has magnified the benefits that they can reap from it, also because clients seem to be increasingly more comfortable to purchase their high-end timepieces online, directly from the brand. Zenith already had quite an extensive online boutique for the European market but is now expanding this, with the launch for the United States. To mark the occasion, they also introduce a new limited edition of the Defy with it.

Colors can do a lot to a watch. They can change its appearance from classical to daring, they can make it follow the trends, or stand out in the crowd. With the Defy 21 Ultraviolet, Zenith opted for the latter. Donned with vibrant violet-colored details, they explore the end of the color spectrum that is still visible. Violet is the highest frequency of color that the human eye can detect before turning into the invisible ultraviolet color. A perfect match for the highest-frequency chronograph watch in regular production.

Black is a color that is nearly always appropriate to wear. Also in watchmaking does it have a dominant position, especially when it comes to dials and straps. Black cases were for a long time a rarity. At the beginning of the last century, some brands, like Cartier, for example, experimented with bakelite cases. These watches were scarce then, and even more so now. Later on, new technologies such as PVD-coatings made it that more watches with black cases entered the market. Today there are several materials which a brand can utilize to create a black watch case. Next to the traditional PVD-coating, are there now coatings made from 'Diamond-Like Carbon,' which are more resistant to wear. Next to coatings did also a whole new generation of materials emerged. Ceramic was one of the first to make its entrance, but now even carbon, in various forms, is being used to craft watch cases. Their popularity is increasing, and for a good reason, because no matter what black-colored material is selected, it often results in watches that are true dark delights!

In the world of watches is the El Primero a legend. With its frequency of 5Hz, you can measure the passing of time with 1/10th of a second precision. While this movement is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the beauty is that Zenith never stopped with developing it. They not only added many complications over the years but also improved the movement itself. With the Defy El Primero 21, they fitted the movement with two escapements, one running at 5Hz and supporting the regular timekeeping of the watch, and one dedicated to the chronograph, running at 50Hz.

When the Zenith El Primero hit the market, now fifty years ago, it immediately gained the status of being a benchmark. This is not only because it was the first automatic chronograph, but also because it combined this with an integrated column wheel and a high frequency of 36.000 vibrations per hour. This made it possible for the watch to measure time with an accuracy of 1/10th of a second.

Collaborations; the watch world is full of them, but to be honest, they not always work out. More often than not it is simply putting famous names together and thinking that because of this the sales of the model will soar. But to reach true synergy both the artist as well as the brand needs to give it a lot more to take it to the next level. The following three watches are excellent examples where neither one rested on the laurels of their previous successes, but simply went to work, and worked hard, to create something truly spectacular.

Diamond set watches have a terrible disadvantage. Most people are so impressed by their visual impact and the price tag that comes along, that they forget how complicated it is to create such a marvel. The following watches are therefore first and foremost unique masterpieces that combine the noble art of watchmaking with that of diamond cutting and setting!

This month Baselworld will open its doors again, and it will be different from previous years. While the fair will not only be a few days shorter, it will also be smaller, as some brands have either moved to the SIHH or forgo the Swiss fairs at all in favour of more targeted, local events. The independents will, however, solidify their position further, and become a more prominent, and integrated part of Baselworld.