This November, Zenith is introducing its first ever automatic watch to feature an integrated carbon bracelet. The case of the Zenith DEFY Classic Carbon is made of the same material. The use of carbon makes the new, dark timepiece light, durable, and unique in its appearance. Aside from the much-discussed black bracelet, the watch is also available with a rubber strap.
The Zenith DEFY Classic Carbon is housed in a 41mm Black Carbon case, which is water-resistant to 100 m. The choice of black carbon is unusual in the traditional Swiss watchmaking industry. As a material, carbon fibre is lightweight yet strong, smooth to the touch, and exudes a futuristic, edgy appearance – indicating why it is a rare material to see in the time-honoured industry of horology. The entire watch, bracelet included, weighs only 65 grams, making it almost half the weight of its titanium sibling.
Meanwhile, the full carbon bracelet of the Zenith DEFY Classic Carbon is also noteworthy. Until now, carbon fibre bracelets have largely consisted of the composite material covering a metal base, or reserved for highly complicated, rare watches. Each link of the bracelet is molded and milled to highlight the layers or “strata” of the carbon fibre. Furthermore, because the patterns are layering of carbon fibre can differ from one component to the next, no two watches are the same.
The open-worked dial with a star-shaped motif displays the in-house Elite skeletonised movement within. As well as displaying hours, minutes, and seconds, the dial has a date indication at 6 o’clock. Meanwhile, the applied hour markers and blackened hands are ruthenium-plated, faceted, and have a bright green SuperLumiNova SLN C3 coating, in order to heighten the Zenith DEFY Classic Carbon‘s legibility.
The movement within the Zenith DEFY Classic Carbon is the automatic Elite 670 SK, and has been given a dark treatment in ruthenium. The calibre has a frequency of 4 Hz and a minimum power reserve of 48 hours. Furthermore, the wearer can view the special oscillating weight, which benefits from a satin-brushed finish, through the sapphire crystal caseback.
Last but not least, the watch is, as mentioned, presented on either the full carbon bracelet or a black rubber cordura-effect strap, which operates using a carbon and titanium folding buckle. The Zenith DEFY Classic Carbon with a matching bracelet costs 19,100 euros. The version with a rubber strap costs 11,400 euros. The watch will be available at Zenith Boutiques and retailers, as well as its online shop, from November.
| BRAND: | Zenith |
| MODEL: | DEFY Classic Carbon |
| REFERENCE: | 10.9001.670/80.M9001 (carbon bracelet) 10.9000.670/80.R795 (rubber strap) |
| CASE MATERIAL: | Black Carbon |
| DIMENSIONS: | Diameter: 41 mm Height: 10.75 mm |
| WATER RESISTANCE: | 10 bar (~ 100 m) |
| DIAL: | Openworked |
| STRAP/BRACELET: | Carbon bracelet or rubber cordura-effect strap with carbon and titanium folding buckle |
| MOVEMENT: | Elite 670 SK |
| MOVEMENT TYPE: | Automatic |
| POWER RESERVE: | Min. 48 hours |
| FREQUENCY: | 28,800 vph (4 Hz) |
| FUNCTIONS: | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| PRICE: | Carbon bracelet – EUR 19,100 Rubber strap – EUR 11,400 |
