Zenith Defy Extreme Chronograph Carl Cox

Zenith’s Defy Extreme erupted on the scene in 2021 as a high-testosterone brother to the already virile, heavy-duty, high-performance Defy collection. Since high-frequency movements have been an integral part of Zenith’s personality since the launch of the El Primero movement in 1969, the Defy Extreme Chronograph is fitted with the highest frequency chronograph in regular production capable of capturing 1/100^th of second readings with two escapements. The latest Defy Extreme honours world-famous DJ and record producer Carl Cox, who also happens to be a Zenith ambassador. Sheathed in matte microblasted steel and yellow gold, the Defy Extreme Carl Cox pays tribute to the DJ with some fun touches on the dial.

As Zenith’s toughest, most technical and avant-garde watch, it makes sense to pair the Defy Extreme with trendsetting figures like contemporary artist Felipe Pantone or to embrace wild colours like this Ultraviolet model.

English DJ Carl Cox (1962) is a legend on the music scene associated with acid house, techno and electronic dance music. Often referred to as the “King of Ibiza” thanks to his live mixes at the famous Space Club for 15 years, Carl Cox owns a record label, Intec, and even starred in a documentary on electronic music, What We Started, in 2017 with Martin Garrix.

This is not the first Carl Cox Edition at Zenith. In 2020, the brand paid tribute to the DJ with a Zenith Defy 21 model in a black carbon fibre case. The latest Carl Cox timepiece comes in a far more aggressive 200m water-resistant Defy Extreme case bristling with angles and virility. Measuring 45mm across with a thickness of 15.40mm, the massive case features a mix of matte microblasted steel and yellow gold. Yellow gold is used to highlight the signature 12-sided ring underneath the bezel and for the shields protecting the chronograph pushers.

Paying homage to Cox, the three counters on the openworked dial – 30-minute counter, running seconds, and 60-second counter  –  look like mini vinyl records complete with spiral grooves. The outermost silver-coloured track indicates time measurements of 1/100^th of a second via the central chronograph hand and sits on top of a groovy bubble-decorated ring. If you were wondering why there’s a 60-second counter at 6 o’clock, it’s because the central hand completes one rotation per second instead of once per minute for incredibly precise timing. The faceted and gold-plated indices are filled with Super-LumiNova, as are the partially openworked gold-plated hour and minute hands. A power reserve indicator sits at noon, and a tinted sapphire crystal protects the dial.

Introduced in 2017, Zenith increased the cachet of its legendary high-frequency El Primero chronograph movement with a new and faster movement in line with 21^st-century expectations. The El Primero 9004 notched up the speed of the 1969 El Primero movement from 5Hz to 50Hz and raised precision tenfold, from 1/10^th to 1/100^th of a second. To keep up with the calibre’s breakneck speed, the movement is equipped with twin escapements and twin barrels.

The timekeeping movement runs at 36,000 vibrations per hour or 5Hz, completes a rotation in 60 seconds and has a power reserve of 50 hours, while the chronograph movement operates at an impressive frequency of 360,000 vibrations per hour or 50Hz and whizzes around the dial at lightning speed. The caseback reveals the black star-shaped rotor and main plate.

The watch comes on a three-link bracelet in microblasted steel and is delivered with a rubber strap and a Velcro strap. The bracelet and straps can be switched with the interchangeable strap system.

Availability & Price

The Zenith Defy Extreme Chronograph Carl Cox is a limited edition of 100 pieces and retails for EUR 32,400. For more information, please consult zenith-watches.com.