September 11, 2025
You’ve seen the pics, but there’s way more to the new Zenith Defy Chronograph USM watches than just their bold colors. This collab with Swiss furniture maker USM is packed with hidden details. Here are four things you probably missed.
1. It’s a Time-Traveling “What If”
This watch isn’t just a modern design; it’s an answer to the cool hypothetical question: “What if Zenith and USM teamed up back in the 1960s?” The whole vibe is a retro-futuristic concept, bringing together two Swiss icons from their most transformative era and imagining a collaboration that never happened—until now.
2. A First in Over 50 Years
Believe it or not, this is the very first time the legendary 1969 octagonal Defy case has ever been paired with a chronograph complication. For over half a century, this iconic case shape was a time-and-date-only design. Zenith finally fitted their famous El Primero stopwatch movement inside this fan-favorite retro case.
3. A Secret Nod to Furniture Design
Look closer at the chronograph seconds hand. That little luminous dot at the tip isn’t just a dot—it’s a miniature replica of a USM Haller ball joint, the cornerstone of their modular furniture system. It’s a clever and subtle tribute to the collaboration that most people will never even notice.
4. The Iconic Bracelet Got a Major Glow-Up
The “ladder” bracelet is an icon, originally designed by the legendary Gay Frères back in ‘69. But this isn’t your grandpa’s bracelet. While vintage versions used thin, folded links, this modern reissue is crafted from solid stainless steel links and features a much more substantial machined clasp, giving it a premium feel the original just can’t match.
With only 60 pieces made in each of the four colors, this watch is pure collector fuel. The insane level of detail shows this is more than just a collaboration; it’s a piece of imagined history.
#Zenith #ZenithDefy #USM #Watches #WatchCollector #ElPrimero #LimitedEdition #Horology