Zenith x USM Defy Chronograph opens with the fusion of Swiss watchmaking brilliance and mid-century industrial design. This release revisits the iconic 1969 Defy silhouette, now reimagined as a chronograph in vivid colors from furniture legend USM.
Why the Zenith x USM Defy Chronograph Matters
The Zenith x USM Defy Chronograph isn’t just another collab—it’s a creative re-envisioning of what might have happened if two Swiss design icons had merged in the 1960s. Zenith’s powerful El Primero chronograph now resides in the sharp, architecturally driven Defy case—crafted in four striking USM colors. It’s a celebration of heritage reimagined.
Design & Inspiration
Mid-Century Meets Modern: Colors and Case
At first glance, the Zenith x USM Defy Chronograph grabs attention with its 37 mm stainless-steel case featuring a fourteen-sided bezel—the angular geometry is as bold as USM’s modular furniture frames.
The four dial colors—USM Gentian Blue, Golden Yellow, Pure Orange, and USM Green—aren’t off-the-shelf Pantone tones. Zenith dial artisans crafted custom pigments to match USM’s signature palette.
Subtle Signature Touches
The applied square hour markers with horizontal grooves and overlapping silver sub-dials (30-minute, 12-hour, small-seconds) echo USM’s structured design language. The chronograph seconds hand even features a miniature USM ball joint topped with Super-LumiNova—a playful nod to the furniture’s iconic connector.
Movement & Functionality
Under the sapphire caseback, the renowned El Primero 400 movement pulses at 36,000 vph (5 Hz) with a 55-hour power reserve. This is the first time this high-beat, automatic chronograph caliber has been placed inside the original Defy case—an imaginative “what-if” brought to life.
It delivers the classic setup: central hours and minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock, and a date window at 4:30. The rotor is open-worked and decorated with Côtes de Genève, bearing both Zenith and USM logos.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Case Size | 37 mm diameter, 13.7-13.9 mm thickness, fourteen-sided bezel |
| Materials | Stainless steel, sapphire crystals front and back, AR coating |
| Dial Options | Gentian Blue, Golden Yellow, Pure Orange, USM Green |
| Hands & Markers | Rhodium-plated, Super-LumiNova lumed hands, grooved markers |
| Movement | El Primero 400 automatic, 5 Hz, 55-hour reserve, 31-jewel |
| Complications | Chronograph, date, small seconds |
| Water Resistance | 100 m (10 ATM) |
| Bracelet | Stainless steel “ladder” bracelet by Gay Frères |
| Limited Edition | 60 units per color |
| Price | CHF 10,900 (~USD 11,800) per watch, includes modular USM chest |
Data compiled from multiple hands-on reviews and official specifications.
Packaging: A Piece of Furniture
Each Zenith x USM Defy Chronograph comes with a lockable, modular USM Haller watch chest in the corresponding dial color. The chest holds up to 12 timepieces and doubles as a fully modular design piece—just like USM furniture itself. Buy all four colors and you’ll receive four chests that can be arranged together into a larger configuration.
Why It Works: Form Meets Function
- Heritage Meets Hypothesis: Putting El Primero in the Defy case is a genius “what-if” scenario come to life.
- Design Dialogue: Every detail—from colors to hands—reflects USM’s industrial elegance and Zenith’s watchmaking finesse.
- Collector’s Dream: Limited numbers, unique packaging, and a rich backstory make this a conversation piece and a design artifact.
- Wearability: At 37 mm with 100 m water resistance, it’s compact yet robust—pretty versatile for a chronograph.
Where to Buy & Availability
The Zenith x USM Defy Chronograph is available now via Zenith boutiques and their online store. Each color is limited to just 60 pieces. Prices start at CHF 10,900 (~USD 11,800), including the modular chest.
Zenith x USM Defy Chronograph
The Zenith x USM Defy Chronograph is more than a color-variant; it’s an intellectual play: what if iconic mid-century design and chronograph innovation collided? The execution is brilliantly thoughtful—pretty, precise, and packed with personality.
For readers who love deeply contextual narratives, this story blends design philosophy with mechanical artistry. The result is an article that’s equal parts aesthetic jubilation and technical appreciation
