New watch release Zenith DEFY 21 Land Rover Edition is a sports watch of distinctive appeal
This new watch release is the result of two pioneers of their respective fields — Zenith watches and Land Rover Defender vehicles — partnering up to present an original watch design, the Zenith DEFY 21 Land Rover Edition.
Out of the current 2020 new releases by Zenith — DEFY Midnight, Elite Classic & Elite Moonphase, Pilot Type 20 Rescue, Revival A384, Moonphase Romeo y Julieta, ‘Cover Girl’ A3818 Revival — this one is visually the most different and very understated.
It is this understated look that sets this limited edition run of 250 watches apart.
Switzerland. Meet Britain.
If we were to describe this new match in just a few assorted words, it would go something like this: rugged, stealth, and comfort.
To expand on this, the watch itself is a rugged and stealthy reinterpretation of the famed 21st century Swiss El Primero high-frequency chronograph.
Taking design cues from the new Land Rover Defender recently released by the British carmaker, the watch in its design also embodies Land Rover’s spirit of resilience & comfort.
The case is then paired with a matching grey dial with only the slightest touches of colour for legibility.
Fun-fact: As far as DEFY 21 series goes, this new watch features for the first time a redesigned linear power reserve window display at 12’o clock.
“For the next chapter in our partnership with Zenith we wanted a timepiece that captured the essence of the new Land Rover Defender: modern, durable and highly desirable. With subtle details that capture the character of the new Defender, this for me is the best timepiece we have created with Zenith”.
Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Chief Creative Officer
Features of the Reference 97.9000.9004/01.R787
The Movement
The heart used — El Primero 9004 — is a TIME LAB chronometer certified automatic winding mechanical movement beating at the high frequency of 5Hz (36’000 A/h).
The movement is encased inside a 44mm diameter microblasted titanium case. It boasts of 50 hours power reserve and is water resistant to an impressive 100m (10 ATM). The movement can be admired through the display case-back.
The El Primero 9004 calibre features a 1/100th of a second chronograph function with an exclusive dynamic signature of one rotation per second. This movement provides for an impressive chronograph frequency of 50Hz (360,000 A/h).
Fun-fact: the limited edition watch features an oscillating rotor shaped like the wheel of the new Defender.
The Dial
The special matte grey watch face shows the traditional functions of hours & minutes in the center, and small seconds at 9’o clock.
It also features a 1/100th of a second chronograph with a central chronograph hand. Additionally, it also features a chronograph power-reserve indicator, a 30-minute counter at 3’o clock and a 60-second counter at 6’o clock.
The dial even though is very understated, has decent legibility owing to special anthracite hands that are faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C3. The transferred hour markers are also coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C3 for added readability.
To complete this stealth and rugged look, the watch comes with two — both included with the watches — strap options: a grey rubber “Adventure” strap & an additional “Country” fabric effect strap. Both these options feature a microblasted titanium double folding buckle.
Watch Ya Gonna Do About It?
The new 2020 watch release Zenith DEFY 21 Land Rover Edition is a different looking sports turned utility watch.
Given that the watches are limited edition — 250 pieces — in number and are not exorbitantly priced — 13’900 CHF — they are something that Zenith and especially Land Rover Defender fans can check out to see if the watches are the right option for them.
That combination of matte grey watch face, the microblasted titanium case and the touch of orange — in the crown at 3’o clock, the outer minute tracks and the tips of chronograph hands — is subtly superb.
The appeal of the watch on the wrist is further enhanced as the microblasted titanium case can absorb light from all angles to better accentuate its faceted surfaces.
The 1/100th of a second chronograph of the new Zenith DEFY 21 Land Rover Edition is presented with a completely made over look, this time complementing the car and featuring a more raw and minimalistic look that is very welcome.
For more information on these watches and other Zenith watches, head to their website here.
