Join CHRONOHOLIC today!
All the watch news, reviews, videos you want, brought to you from fellow collectors
All the watch news, reviews, videos you want, brought to you from fellow collectors
At the Geneva Watch Days fair, Zenith unveiled the newest version of its DEFY Chronograph—the DEFY Chronograph USM, created in collaboration with USM Modular Furniture, the Swiss company renowned for introducing modular furniture architecture. The partnership pays tribute to the creative spirit of the 1960s, the decade that saw both the launch of the USM Haller modular furniture system in 1965 and Zenith’s unveiling of the El Primero chronograph in 1969.
Zenith reimagined what might have emerged had their creative paths crossed at that moment. The result is the Zenith DEFY Chronograph USM—a reinterpretation of the original DEFY design, integrated with a chronograph for the first time.
The timepiece takes cues from the 1969 Zenith DEFY, known for its angular case and faceted geometry, reminiscent of USM’s modular aesthetic. The new 37.3 mm stainless steel case retains the bold octagonal profile of the original, enhanced by a 14-sided bezel and vintage-inspired pump pushers.
The dial draws inspiration from USM’s architectural language. It features square hour markers with horizontal grooves and three overlapping chronograph sub-dials with concentric circular finishing. The tip of the chronograph seconds hand is styled as a miniature USM ball joint filled with Super-LumiNova SLN C1. Once the chronograph is activated, a hidden Zenith star appears beneath the hand. The dial is offered in four colour variations, each taken from USM’s signature palette—USM Green (Ref. 03.A780.400-2/91.M3642), Pure Orange (Ref. 03.A780.400-3/56.M3642), Golden Yellow (Ref. 03.A780.400-1/65.M3642), and Gentian Blue (Ref. 03.A780.400/19.M3642). Each colour is limited to 60 pieces, referencing the 1960s origin of both houses’ milestone creations.
Powering the watch is the El Primero 400 calibre, a direct descendant of the El Primero 3019 PHC of 1969, the world’s first automatic high-frequency chronograph beating at 5 Hz. It drives central hours and minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock, a date at 4:30, and chronograph functions. The movement is visible through the sapphire caseback, where the rotor is openworked with a Zenith star motif and finished with both the Zenith El Primero and USM logos.
The watch is paired with the ladder bracelet designed in 1969 by Gay Frères exclusively for Zenith. Water resistance is rated at 100 metres.
Each Zenith DEFY Chronograph USM comes with a custom-designed USM Haller timepiece chest, merging the worlds of modular furniture and fine watch presentation. The timepiece is priced at approx. INR 11,95,000.
What we think -
One of those watchmakers that, despite a lot of pressure from their parent group, continues to forge their way forward in a fresh resurgence for the brand. The USM collab gives trusted and functional watches a much needed fresh boost of colors.
At the Geneva Watch Days fair, Zenith unveiled the newest version of its DEFY Chronograph—the DEFY Chronograph USM, created in collaboration with USM Modular Furniture, the Swiss company renowned for introducing modular furniture architecture. The partnership pays tribute to the creative spirit of the 1960s, the decade that saw both the launch of the USM Haller modular furniture system in 1965 and Zenith’s unveiling of the El Primero chronograph in 1969.
Zenith reimagined what might have emerged had their creative paths crossed at that moment. The result is the Zenith DEFY Chronograph USM—a reinterpretation of the original DEFY design, integrated with a chronograph for the first time.
The timepiece takes cues from the 1969 Zenith DEFY, known for its angular case and faceted geometry, reminiscent of USM’s modular aesthetic. The new 37.3 mm stainless steel case retains the bold octagonal profile of the original, enhanced by a 14-sided bezel and vintage-inspired pump pushers.
The dial draws inspiration from USM’s architectural language. It features square hour markers with horizontal grooves and three overlapping chronograph sub-dials with concentric circular finishing. The tip of the chronograph seconds hand is styled as a miniature USM ball joint filled with Super-LumiNova SLN C1. Once the chronograph is activated, a hidden Zenith star appears beneath the hand. The dial is offered in four colour variations, each taken from USM’s signature palette—USM Green (Ref. 03.A780.400-2/91.M3642), Pure Orange (Ref. 03.A780.400-3/56.M3642), Golden Yellow (Ref. 03.A780.400-1/65.M3642), and Gentian Blue (Ref. 03.A780.400/19.M3642). Each colour is limited to 60 pieces, referencing the 1960s origin of both houses’ milestone creations.
Powering the watch is the El Primero 400 calibre, a direct descendant of the El Primero 3019 PHC of 1969, the world’s first automatic high-frequency chronograph beating at 5 Hz. It drives central hours and minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock, a date at 4:30, and chronograph functions. The movement is visible through the sapphire caseback, where the rotor is openworked with a Zenith star motif and finished with both the Zenith El Primero and USM logos.
The watch is paired with the ladder bracelet designed in 1969 by Gay Frères exclusively for Zenith. Water resistance is rated at 100 metres.
Each Zenith DEFY Chronograph USM comes with a custom-designed USM Haller timepiece chest, merging the worlds of modular furniture and fine watch presentation. The timepiece is priced at approx. INR 11,95,000.
What we think -
One of those watchmakers that, despite a lot of pressure from their parent group, continues to forge their way forward in a fresh resurgence for the brand. The USM collab gives trusted and functional watches a much needed fresh boost of colors.
