Style and Substance
Zenith embraces a tech-forward aesthetic combining style and substance at Baselworld 2018. Dewi Irma writes
Zenith, the Swiss luxury watch brand with the guiding star as its emblem, showed off its expertise in technical complications at Baselworld 2018. With its mastery of precision and forward-thinking design, Zenith honours heritage while continuing to innovate and look to the future.
The best example of this is the release of the new-look Defy Classic, complementing the previous collection of Defy El Primero 21, a hundredth-of-a-second chronograph, and the first-generation Defy Lab, a highly accurate watch with a new monocrystalline silicon oscillator. Defy now appears with a timeless look through the new Defy Classic, a threehand-plus-date watch.
With its case forged from ultra-light titanium, its blackened movement, its starshaped openworked dial, and its shade of blue reflecting the collection’s original colour, the new Defy Classic propels casual chic elegance to a new level. The new watch utilises a titanium case, but in a smaller 41mm size that can be paired with a matching titanium bracelet, a combination alligator or rubber strap, or a simple rubber strap.
Still in the Defy collection—and a timepiece that radiates contemporary classicism—is the cool new Defy Zero G,
which features a second hand that measures to the hundredth of a second by using a gyroscopic module (dubbed “Gravity Control”) that literally defies gravity. Each timepiece has a modern design and skeletonised face, is available in titanium or pink gold, and has the option of a rubber strap coated with alligator leather.
Baselworld 2018 also provided the ideal occasion at which to announce the launch of the new Swiss Beatz collection, designed in collaboration with the well-known eponymous recording artist and producer. The Defy Zero G Swizz Beatz is actually the same Defy Zero G model but with a more stylish look. This limited-edition luxury watch comes in a brushed titanium case and features an eyecatching skeleton dial with orange detailing. Its overall design is complemented by the white rubber strap with orange alligator leather coating.
This year also sees the introduction of new Pilot Type 20 Chronograph, dedicated to the café racer community. Called the Ton Up, it fuses vintage motorcycle racing with pilots’ watches. Inspired by the legendary Zenith aviation watches, everyone’s favourite Pilot Type 20 Extra Special is now made in bronze with a blue dial. But arguably the coolest Zenith watches to come on sale this year reflect a partnership with Cohiba Cigars that has yielded two new smoking-hot models with a neo-retro look. When you think of Zenith, you probably think of its chronograph first and foremost, and surely the El Primero chronograph— first introduced in 1969—is a true legend and something to be respected. But Zenith actually does a lot more than that. While the El Primero has represented a milestone in watchmaking up to the present day, now the focus of Zenith is firmly on expanding the iconic Defy and Pilot collections, as stated by Zenith’s CEO Julien Tornare.
Emphasising the brand’s new beginnings, Julien said that Zenith has been bringing style and substance to the wrists of the watchmaking cognoscenti all over the world for more than 150 years. This time in a new era, and still based on the same DNA but with renewed energy, Zenith will continue to reach for the stars, leveraging the entrepreneurial spirit so firmly entrenched in the brand, and in keeping with Zenith’s 150-year tradition of mechanical innovation and styling as well.