Revival of a 1960s Icon: The Zenith Defy Chronograph USM Capsule Collection

In the annals of Zenith’s illustrious history, the year 1969 stands out with particular significance - heralding the birth of the world’s first high-frequency automatic chronograph calibre, El Primero, and marking the maiden appearance of the Defy, a sturdy sports watch boasting robust construction and avant-garde angular design that aptly earned it the nickname ’the vault’. Over the past few years, Zenith has been rekindling the charm of these late 1960s designs with incredibly faithful Revival editions, meticulously recreating every proportion and detail. This time, the Defy Revival case showcases a chronograph movement for the first time, illustrating how historical accuracy and modern ingenuity can harmonize seamlessly. The Defy Chronograph USM is a consequence of Zenith’s collaboration with USM Modular Furniture, another Swiss design icon, reflecting the trails blazed by two entities in their respective fields of horology and industrial design. The instrument shares the same sharply faceted octagonal mid-case and distinctive 14-sided bezel from the original design. Alternating brushed surfaces and polished bevels heighten the geometry that made the original a breakthrough design half a century ago. The watch also displays vintage-style pump pushers, a detail that adds an undeniable retro charm while preserving its overall silhouette. At the heart of the watch resides the El Primero 400, a direct descendant of the 1969 calibre 3019 PHC. Operating at a frequency of 5Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour), it sustains its fame as one of the most precise automatic chronographs. A series of four editions is available for aficionados, with dials emanating USM’s signature colours: Gentian Blue, Golden Yellow, Pure Orange, and USM Green. Priced at CHF 10,900, each variant is a rare masterpiece, limited to only 60 examples, making it a collection-inspiring generation of watch lovers.