Zenith are removing themselves from the faux-retro trend with the Zenith Defy Chroma II that instead brings us a bold, highly technical, and modern piece. We first saw the Chroma I last year though it was only available in white, but Zenith have expanded their offering to include a black piece in the collection.
The technical base for these pieces is identical to last year’s model. A large barrel-shaped 44mm ceramic case, 14.5mm in height with a circular raised bezel on top. You’ve also got two large pushers and a bulbous crown while the strap is rubber with cordura-effect inlays and rainbow-coloured stitching.
So what’s the difference between last year’s model and this year’s? There’s a brushed and polished black ceramic version.
Alright that’s not exactly true, the black model uses different tones of primary colours focused on orange and green when compared to the white model that focuses on bright pinks and blues. The gradient of the hour indices also follows this pattern.
Powering this is the El Primero 9004 automatic with twin escapements and twin barrels. It beats at 5Hz while the chronograph escapement beats at 50Hz allowing for precise 1/100th of a second timing. Thanks to those twin barrels the Chroma II has a 50-hour power reserve and up to one hour of continuous chronograph use. The rotor is shaped like the Zenith star finished in stain blue with an additional piece with a pink PVD coating that you can see through the exhibition caseback.
Functions include central hours, minutes, and 1/100th chronograph seconds, 30-minute counter, 60-second counter, smalls seconds, and a power reserve indicator.
Both models are limited to 500 pieces each and are available at all Zenith authorised points of sale for A$23,600 (CHF 15,500).
