Zenith Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli

The bright blue lapis lazuli counters echo Zenith’s signature color and confirm the inextinguishable trend towards using stone dials. Stone dials are a powerful trend sweeping the watch market. Used in everything from elegant classic watches to complex mechanisms, watches are undoubtedly experiencing the Second Stone Age. Celebrating its 160th anniversary, Zenith joins the stone watch trend by introducing its most technologically advanced and avant—garde chronograph, the mighty Defy Extreme, decorated with lapis lazuli counters.

Collection Zenith Defy Extreme, released in 2021, is a more brutal brother of the Defy family with a powerful angular body. Extreme in every sense, up to a double regulator: the timekeeping regulator operates at a frequency of 5 Hz, and the second chronograph regulator operates at a frequency of 50 Hz, ensuring a measurement accuracy of 1/100 of a second.

Featuring an inverted finish, a massive 45mm case with a thickness of 15.4 mm and a distance between the ears of 51 mm, the Defy Extreme is distinguished by a mirror-polished steel case and contrasting accents of micro-polished yellow gold on the 12—faceted bezel and protective elements of the chronograph buttons located on the sides of the screw-down crown – protective measures that ensure water resistance up to 200 meters.

The main star of the model is the bright blue lapis lazuli stone selected for the counters. The dials, dotted with random inclusions of golden pyrite, are unique. Three lapis lazuli counters located above the openwork mechanism – a small second hand at 9 o’clock, a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a 60-second counter at 6 o’clock – are complemented by a fourth counter at noon with a linear power reserve indicator. To match the bright blue lapis lazuli, the chronograph scale is also made in blue with an accuracy of one hundredth of a second. Like the yellow gold body elements, the hands, indexes on the flange and the Zenith star on the power reserve meter are covered in gold. All hands and indexes have Super-LumiNova inserts, and the central second hand of the chronograph has a branded openwork counterweight in the form of a star.

The El Primero 9004 automatic calibre with independent high-frequency controls has a large star-shaped rotor. To ensure sufficient power reserve for both triggers, the double drum has a 50-hour capacity when the chronograph is not turned on.

Equipped with a system of interchangeable straps, the Defy Extreme watch comes with a black embossed rubber strap, a black Velcro strap and a mirror-polished steel bracelet. The Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli model is available in a limited edition of 50 copies and is priced at 34,900 euros.

There is something incredibly appealing about a large, eye-catching, uncompromisingly bold sports watch. In an era of restrained, modest silhouettes and 34mm men’s watches, a massive, stylized chronograph may seem like a relic of the past, but it is precisely this one that defies prevailing trends and makes them even more attractive. Over the past few years, the appropriately named Zenith Defy Extreme collection has provided this primal watch delight along with one of the most technically impressive mechanisms, but in 2025, the brand is taking this bold, aggressive look to a whole new level. Decorated with two-tone gold and mirror-polished steel, and equipped with gold-flecked lapis lazuli subciferblades (a favorite stone of the Pharaohs), the Zenith Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli limited edition watch is perhaps the most luxurious incarnation of this line to date.

With a width of 45 mm and an impressive thickness of 15.4 mm, the Zenith Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli two-tone stainless steel and yellow gold case looks impressive on the wrist. As in previous versions of Defy Extreme, the shape here is massive corners and sharp edges, complementing the simple octagonal silhouette with enlarged crown/button guards and Defy’s signature multi—layered round and dodecahedral bezel. In addition to the scale and bold angles on the wrist, the finish attracts attention. In line with Zenith’s design philosophy of maximum effect, the two-tone design provides the greatest possible contrast between the two materials. The yellow gold elements on the bezel and crown guard are brushed sandblasted (with fine polished chamfers), while the monolithic main body with sharp triangular chamfers and wide flat main surfaces is completely and effectively polished.

Polishing is usually used sparingly in modern watchmaking, especially for sports models, but this massive block of mirror-polished stainless steel has its own solidity. The polished main body (and the corresponding round top bezel ring) adds href=”https://luxwatch.ua/position/zenith/defy/extreme/muzhskie-chasy-zenith-defy-extreme-06.9200.9004-51.i001″> Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli is a dramatic, futuristic look that none of the competitors are even trying to match. A sapphire glass back cover completes the design, and Zenith claims an impressively high water resistance of 200 meters.

Compared to some variants of tiger-patterned dials, mirrored or transparent skeletonized elements that were previously found in the series, the Zenith Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli cluster of stone sub-dials looks almost traditional. Although the intricate network of brushed and polished skeletonized bridges, wheels, and drums visible under the central cluster of sub-dials has remained unchanged from previous versions, the four sub-dials forming the main surface of the dial give this model a unique character.

The overall feel is still luxurious, but with a more classic touch. The rich royal blue color of lapis lazuli has become increasingly common in watchmaking in recent years, but not all lapis lazuli is the same. The stone used here is truly exceptional, with rich, deep mottling and numerous gold inclusions that associate it with the polished gold arrows and the corresponding beveled indexes.

Blue and gold are a classic luxurious color combination. The Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli has an additional visual effect — the chronograph’s signature central hand with an accuracy of 1/100 of a second, which rotates the dial once per second, demonstrating one of the most dynamic hands in watchmaking.

However, the overall readability of Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli is mixed. Given the massiveness of the additional dials, wide hands and full external dials with hour indexes, the visibility of normal time is better than the average for a skeletonized chronograph, but you need to get used to reading the unusual location of the additional dials. The chronograph’s standard minute counter is located at 3 o’clock, but the chronograph’s second hand at 6 o’clock and the second hand at 9 o’clock can confuse new owners. The minimalistic power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock is also quite readable.

As with the rest of the series, the Zenith Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli is based on its own automatic chronograph movement, the El Primero 9004. Compared to the relatively open network of bridges visible through the dial, the view from the back cover is much more massive: most of the space is occupied by a semi-plate with a dark coating and matte finish. Zenith visually highlights the main feature of the El Primero: a double row of triggers, including a special mechanism.

Speaking of the chronograph, the El Primero 9004 remains one of the greatest masterpieces of modern watchmaking. In addition to the already high–frequency main trigger with a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour, the chronograph’s own trigger vibrates with an astronomical frequency of 360,000 vibrations per hour – as many as 100 times per second. Of course, this incredible speed has its drawbacks. With continuous operation, the El Primero 9004 chronograph will use up its 50-hour power reserve in about 45 minutes. This is the kind of non-standard, out-of-the-realm engineering

the solutions that make high-quality mechanical watches so interesting.

To complete the design, Zenith equips the Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli with three integrated strap options with quick-release fasteners. For maximum effect, the watch can be combined with a fully mirror-polished H-type bracelet, or, for more complex situations, a black Velcro strap is available.

Besides being a durable and flexible accessory for everyday wear, this strap also occupies a coveted visual intermediary position between the options. Although it’s not as flashy as a fully mirrored stainless steel bracelet, the structured rubber still follows the pattern of the bracelet’s H-shaped links and doesn’t look as strictly utilitarian as a tarpaulin. Moreover, the use of a traditional buckle closure in combination with a two-button folding clasp gives the Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli strap some advantages of both options, providing an easy fit and quick removal.

Even in a market dominated by small, vintage, and restrained silhouettes, you can still find many vibrant, massive, and avant-garde integrated sports watches. The new Zenith Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli limited edition takes this idea to its logical limit, combining an already impressive chronograph with a frequency of 360,000 half-vibrations per hour and impressive proportions with a spectacular two-tone design and a luxurious stone dial. Only 50 copies of the Zenith Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli will be released, and the watch is already available from authorized dealers. The recommended retail price of these watches is $33,900.

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