By Jovan Krstevski
Only Watch will host the seventh edition of the charity auction in Geneva on the 11th of November 2017 and as expected, tens of awesome watches are already on offer. Add to the list is ccccccc, a proud associate and supporter of this noble campaign. Zenith is donating a unique edition of the breathtaking innovation of 2017, the Defy El Primero 21 Only Watch Edition. Now unlike the regulars, this exclusive model comes with a new 1/100th of a second Chronograph movement and a double chain structure with two regulators – a monster of a chronograph indeed at this point. It has been 7 years and counting and pretty much, this offers a glimmer of hope to the children suffering from this horrible disease (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy).
The Defy El Primero 21 Only Watch Edition sports a 44 mm black DLC titanium case. It is quite large but considering that it is skeletonized, you will love every bit of its muscle. The finishing is neither shiny nor lucrative since the Black DLC coating allows the watch to perfectly appear sporty and has that subtle matte look. The touch of yellow which is especially dedicated to Only Watch, also adds some oomph to an already impressive masculine design. The lugs here are subtle but being Zenith, the signature pointy crown steals the show but there are also the nice pushers surrounding it. It is an impressive case using every bit of geometry to its advantage.
As we go over the dial, we can only sigh at how amazing the openworked design is plus Zenith threw in some yellow touches to denote the Only Watch. This combination of Black DLC coating and yellow elements creates some kind of subtle urgency but this is quickly dampened as you take a deeper look at the nitty gritty details of the dial hiding the impressive movement inside with some exposed jewels (total of 53 jewels and 203 components) and polished steel. The power reserve indicator is at 12 o’clock while the chronograph subdials are at 3 and 6 o’clock. Overall, the legibility is superb taking into account the normal anatomy of an openworked dial, some things can be missed here in a split second but it seems that the urge for mechanical goodies simply overcomes this problem. We love an openworked dial since it showcases what really makes an automatic watch, especial.
Powering the Defy El Primero 21 Only Watch Edition is an in-house automatic El Primero 9004 sporting a double chain structure with 2 regulators. One escapement beats at 5 Hz while another for the Chronograph beats at 50Hz resulting to a monstrous 1/100th of a second chronograph movement. The movement also features an exclusive dynamic signature of one rotation per second, this is just one of Zenith’s innovations in horology.
Moreover, this unique piece wears on a sporty black rubber with black alligator leather coating and yellow stitchings. The watch will also be auctioned in a beautifully customized Only watch box.
The Defy El Primero 21 Only Watch Edition is expected to net somewhere between 13,000 – 19,000 $ and the lucky buyer will be offered a unique experience with Zenith: a trip to the discovery of one of the most important swiss Manufacture of the world, the Zenith Swiss Watch Manufacture.
