Zenith DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet and Lapis Lazuli 2
The Dual Sides of Extremes
In the summer of 2026, Zenith launched two strikingly several DEFY Extreme watches: the actual Ultraviolet and the Lapis Lazuli II. Both watches attribute 45mm cases; the Ultraviolet is crafted from titanium, even though the Lapis Lazuli II offers carbon fiber and titanium. Typically the Ultraviolet boasts a violet switch, while the Lapis Lazuli II features a dial made of healthy gemstones. Both watches are generally powered by the El Primero 9004 automatic movement, oscillatory at a frequency of 5 various Hz. Personally, I prefer the particular Ultraviolet's dial design, although I'm equally captivated by Lapis Lazuli II's carbon fibre case.
Zenith adds two new 45mm watches to the DEFY Extreme collection: the Ultraviolet plus the Lapis Lazuli II. The two watches continue the previous colouring and material design approach, featuring a larger, more angular DEFY Extreme case while retaining the El Primero 9004 1/100-second chronograph movement. The Lapis Lazuli II is limited to 50 portions, while the Ultra Violet is definitely added to the wider retail price collection.
The Ultra Violet watch uses typically the purple movement design unveiled on the 2020 DEFY 21 Ultra Violet watch, situated within a micro-blasted titanium DEFY Extreme case. The Lapis Lazuli II continues the style of the first stainless steel and platinum lapis lazuli model, however with a case structure made of graphite and titanium. Specifically, just one watch focuses on a unique purple technical hue, while other features natural rocks and gold-plated dial equipment paired with a dark event.
Both designer watches have a 45mm diameter, some sort of 15. 4mm thickness, as well as a lug spacing of 51mm. The use of titanium and carbon fibre reduces weight without adjusting its overall size: the item remains a large and impacting on chronograph with an integrated straps end and a robust pusher guard. Another noticeable trade-off lies within the movement: often the chronograph features an independent 50 Hz escapement and evidently legible hundredths of a second display, but its power reserve is barely 50 minutes, separate from approximately 50-hour power reserve.
Case and Face
The DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet features a whole titanium micro-blasted case, viser, crown side structure, in addition to bracelet. The uniform matte finish effectively suppresses nearly all reflections, making the stepped board, faceted shoulders, and blocky pusher guard more certainly visible. The 45mm length benefits from the lightness involving titanium, but the 15. 4mm thickness and 51mm haul spacing still make it turn up larger on the wrist.
The skeletonized call is constructed from violet sapphire crystal, with a dark wathe bezel surrounding the center of the actual purple dial. The three-dimensionally cut hour markers protrude from the movement and are sprayed with Super-LumiNova SLN C1 luminescent material, as are the particular rhodium-plated hour and tiny hands. The dial includes multi-layered structure: the 1/100th-second markers on the outer borders are positioned above the skeletonized motion, three circular chronograph subdials cover the exposed movements, and the chronograph power reserve sign is located on the upper stratum at 12 o'clock.
The Lapis Lazuli II replaces typically the all-titanium case of the Ultraviolet with a carbon fiber and titanium case, including the dodecagonal frame and pusher guards. Often the carbon fiber gives the bezel an incident an irregular, mottled floor, while the titanium components maintain your same sharp, angular geometry. Compared to the stainless steel and yellow metal case of the first Lapis watch,
often the Lapis Lazuli II features lower reflectivity, with blue crystals and gold face components dominating the color design. The chronograph subdials from the skeletonized dial are made of lapis lazuli. Natural pyrite blemishes create golden flecks around the blue dial, resulting in a different texture for each watch. The actual gilded applied hour guns and faceted hands usually are coated with Super-LumiNova SLN C1 luminescent material, responsive the warm hues with the pyrite while maintaining a clear big difference between the time display along with the movement.
Both equally watches feature a central side assembly, including hour, minute, and 1/100th-second chronograph arms. Independent gears drive the miscroscopic seconds hand at 9 o'clock, the 30-minute reverse at 3 o'clock, the actual 60-second counter at a few o'clock, and the power reserve pointer at 12 o'clock. The particular central chronograph hand wraps up one revolution per subsequent, with the outer scale distributing this revolution into hundredths of a second.
The screw-down crown as well as protective pushers are encased within a robust component about the right side of the case. Water-repellant to 20 ATM, this is extraordinary for a skeletonized high-frequency timepiece, enhancing the practicality connected with both watches. For those using smaller wrists, case dimensions are not a limiting factor in terminology of material choice or water proofing rating.
Activity
Both watches are powered by the proprietary El Primero 9004 intelligent movement, a 293-part activity with two independent escapements. The main chronograph escapement swivels at 5 Hz (36, 000 vibrations per hour). The second escapement oscillates with 50 Hz (360, 000 vibrations per hour) and also activates only when the time counter function is running.
This separate style and design allows the chronograph feature to drive the central give to rotate once every second without using the main escapement. The hundredths of a secondly reading comes directly from the particular hand's position on the surface bezel, while the elapsed just a few seconds and minutes are exhibited on the chronograph subdials on 6 o'clock and three or more o'clock, respectively. While the configuration is slightly complex, each one chronograph function has its own distinct display area, rather than studying multiple readings onto there are subdial.
The leading chronograph function provides just about 50 hours of reserve of power. The chronograph function contains a 50-minute power reserve, monitored by means of an indicator at 12 o'clock. This independent reserve of power stems from its dedicated escapement, which operates ten moments more frequently than the chronograph accessory train.
Typically the sapphire crystal case rear reveals the automatic hustleing system and most of the movement's structure. The star-shaped one features a satin-brushed finish; for the UV version, it is displayed purple, echoing the dial's color scheme. The Lapis Lazuli II retains typically the star-shaped rotor but buildings the mechanical components for a darker carbon-titanium alloy scenario.
Both wris****ches are chronometer-certified. Since the mobility specifications, display layout, along with power reserve are identical, the value difference primarily lies in often the craftsmanship of the case and watch dial, rather than the chronograph's structural improvements. The UV version comes with a more uniform technical conclude, while the Lapis Lazuli II adds natural gemstones, gold-plated display components, and is made in limited quantities.
Often the DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet watch features a purple rubber secure (with a folding clasp), a micro-blasted titanium pendant, and a black high-performance Velcro strap. The Lapis Lazuli II watch features a african american rubber strap (with a new folding clasp) and a black color high-performance Velcro strap. Equally watches utilize the DEFY Excessive integrated interchangeable strap process, allowing for easy tool-free tie or bracelet changes. Young kids rubber and Velcro secure also reduces the amount of demanding material around the case, whilst the lug spacing reaches 51 mm.
Complex Specifications
Scenario: DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet: 45 mm micro-blasted titanium, 15. 4 mm thick, fifty one mm lug spacing, screw-down crown, ATM water resistance; DEFY Extreme Lapis Lazuli 2: 45 mm carbon fiber in addition to titanium, 15. 4 mm thick, 51 mm carry spacing, screw-down crown, TELLER MACHINES water resistance.
Mobility: In-house automatic El Primero 9004 movement, 293 pieces, 5Hz chronograph escapement consistency of 36, 000 coup per hour, 50Hz chronograph escapement frequency of 360, 000 vibrations per hour, approximately 50-hour power reserve, 50-minute power reserve, chronograph certified.
Watch dial: Ultraviolet: Skeletonized violet sapphire crystal dial, rhodium-plated faceted hands and applied time markers coated with Super-LumiNova SLN C1 luminescent content. Lapis Lazuli II: Skeletonized design, lapis lazuli stop-watch subdials, gold-plated multifaceted hands and fingers, applied hour markers lined with Super-LumiNova SLN C1 luminescent material.
Strap: Ultraviolet version: Blue rubber strap with flip-style folding clasp, micro-blasted titanium bracelets, and black high-performance Velcro strap; Lapis Lazuli II: Black rubber strap having folding clasp and black high-performance Velcro strap; equally feature a tool-less strap adjusting system.
