Zenith unveiled El Primero, the world’s first automatic chronograph movement, fifty years ago. This year, the manufacture opens the next chapter in the history of this legendary calibre and presented the Defy El Primero 21, a wristwatch chronograph with a futuristic aura. It is made from carbon fibre, a lightweight and extremely resistant high-tech composite material.

The carbon case of the Defy El Primero 21 handsomely stages a version of El Primero that can measure elapsed intervals to the nearest 100th of a second, in a skeletonised model that also boasts an unprecedented deep black finish. Together with the dial’s elements, which are likewise black, this creates a modern overall impression. The central 100th-of-a-second counter, as well as the elapsed seconds and elapsed minutes counters, have blackened hands with bright red tips that visually emphasise the unsurpassed high-speed chronograph function. 

Zenith uses carbon to achieve an expressive design here: the faceted case, the round bezel, the crown and the chronograph’s buttons are all made from this modern material. The Defy El Primero 21 Carbon is delivered with two rubber wristbands: one has a textured surface and the other sports a carbon effect that continues the style of the case.