Zenith’s New Defy Extreme Jungle Completes Extreme Environments Series

Zenith’s exploration of extreme environments started all the way back in 2021 with the Defy Extreme Desert followed by a subsequent Glacier edition. Now, completing the trio and officially ending this series is the Defy Extreme Jungle. A 1/100^th second chronograph dedicated to the majesty of tigers.

It’s worth stating that the Defy Extreme is quite a divisive timepiece. On one side you have fans who like its high specs and bold design and on the other side are those who find it all a bit too, well, extreme. Whichever camp you find yourself in, this new edition is not likely to change your mind. If anything, it pushes the extreme aesthetic of the watch even further due to its use of contrasting colours and wide variety of patterns and finishes.

Starting with the case, it measures a broad 45mm in diameter and is constructed from a combination of brushed titanium and Tiger’s Eye gemstone. The stone is specifically used for the chronograph pushers and the dodecagon portion of the bezel, emphasising the layered appearance of the design. The Tiger’s Eye pattern finds particular resonance because the dial itself also features a tiger stripe motif.

Specifically, the scales of the tricompax chronograph subdials are bright orange with tiger stripes. It contrasts wildly with the green translucent glass of the openworked dial. The overall impression is much like tiger stripes in fashion, bold and unapologetic. It will undoubtedly be a magnet for criticism but it’s also fun. In terms of functions, the dial displays hours, minutes, small seconds, 1/100^th second chronograph, 30-minute timer and 60-second timer. It’s a testament to how fast a 1/100^th second chronograph really is (rotating once per second) that a regular 60-second chronograph function becomes a subdial.

Powering these impressive functions is the El Primero 9004 movement. It uses a dual escapement system, one for the regular time functions that operates at a hi-beat 5 Hz frequency and one for the chronograph that has an insane 50 Hz frequency. In a mechanical watch that’s incredibly high. The power reserve is given as 50-hours, which I assume doesn’t account for the power intensive chronograph being active the whole time.

The Zenith Defy Extreme Jungle is priced at CHF 25,900 (approx. £23,000) in a limited edition of 50-pieces. Not to put too sharp a point on it again but this is not a watch that will appeal to everyone but with it being so exclusive, not everyone can get one. One thing’s for sure, with this behemoth on the wrist, you’ll certainly be the apex predator around.

More details at Zenith.

​Oracle Time 

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