The Zenith Defy 21 has served as the Le Locle brand’s “future of watchmaking: ethos, delivering the premise of the classic El Primero in the guise of legendary mechanical 1/100th of a second Chronograph movement with its signature one rotation per second for chronograph hand. Often, it takes on a conventional guise of steel and precious materials but every so often, a new Zentih Defy 21 is released which breaks from aesthetic conventions, This inaugural edition of LVMH Watch Week, Zenith showcased the new DEFY 21 Land Rover Edition in Microblasted titanium.

Zenith introduces new DEFY 21 Land Rover Edition at LVMH Week Dubai 2020

Designed as a homage to the Land Rover Defender, the new Zenith Defy 21 Land Rover Edition defies (no pun intended) the traditional “over-designed” aesthetic descended from classical El Primero chronographs from the 1960s.

“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

Eschewing the usual skeletonised face, the Le Locle manufacture has made the new Defy 21 Land Rover Edition more iconic by opting for a matte closed dial matched with an equally matte titanium grey case and rubber strap – a complete makeover of the 1/100th of a second chronograph with a raw and minimalistic look turning the limited edition 250 piece new 44mm Zenith DEFY 21 Land Rover Edition into the stealthy reinterpretation of the 21st century El Primero, embodying the Land Rover Defender’s ethos of resilience.

Sans overt Land Rover markings and references, we don’t know if this timepiece was designed to appeal to Land Rover owners but as a ruggedised DEFY 21 with bright orange accents on the crown and the minute rail, the new Zenith Defy 21 Land Rover Edition is understated but undeniably gorgeous with a stylish versatility which makes its price tag totally worth it.

New DEFY 21 Carl Cox Limited Edition also debuts at LVMH Watch Week

Introducing its newest Friend of the Le Locle manufacture, world-renowned DJ and producer Carl Cox has worked with makers of the El Primero on the new DEFY 21 Carl Cox. One of the world’s biggest celebrity DJs of the early 1990s, Cox came to prominence when he released his debut single for Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto label, “I Want You (Forever)”, pioneering  the underground sounds of techno that would become the foundation for 21st century dance music.

“I am very lucky that I am able to share my love of music all over the world. All of us have the power within us to feel the beat and dance – my job is to bring that energy out and to unite everyone on the dancefloor. In a similar way, Zenith is about elevating the art of watchmaking and sharing its innovations with the world, so collaborating with them on a watch with a high-frequency beat felt very natural”, – DJ Carl Cox

Limited to 200 pieces, the new DEFY 21 Carl Cox sees a special execution of its futuristic 1/100th of a second chronograph, the small seconds at 9 o’clock has been turned into a rotating disk shaped like a vinyl record instead of the usual pointer hand.

The interesting, high novelty element is that the carbon fibre bezel and strap stitching of the new Zenith DEFY 21 Carl Cox limited edition has been infused with Superluminova pigments, allowing the futuristic chronograph to glow in the dark when under a techno club’s UV lights.

The new DEFY 21 Carl Cox limited edition comes in a lacquered black piano wood box set with matching high fidelity JBL headphones.

Zenith DEFY 21 Land Rover Price and Specs

Movement automatic El Primero 9004 with 50 hours power reserve
Case 44mm Microblasted titanium with 100 metres water resistance
Strap Rubber
Price 13900 CHF

Zenith DEFY 21 Carl Cox Price and Specs

Movement automatic El Primero 9004 with 50 hours power reserve
Case 44mm carbon case with 100 metres water resistance
Strap Rubber
Price 19500 CHF