Zenith and Felipe Pantone are raising the bar with their latest collaboration. After the success of last years Defy 21 Felipe Pantone and one-off for Only Watch 2021 that set a new record for a Zenith watch sold at auction, Pantone challenged the Swiss watchmaker to reproduce his kinetic visual style on a much smaller scale. The result is the Defy Extreme Felipe Pantone. Crafted entirely in mirror-polished stainless steel, the faceted lines of the 45-mm case look sculptural. Translucent blue crystalline glass adds color and transparency to the bezel and chronograph pusher guards. The four corners of the case are engraved with FP#1, which translates to Felipe Pantone El Primero and references the El Primero 9004 movement powering the watch. Matching the transparent elements of the case, the watch comes fitted to a translucent blue silicone strap. A fully polished steel bracelet and a black Velcro strap are also included. The straps can be changed with the push of a button on the case back. For the dial, Zenith and Pantone worked to retain his chromatic look while incorporating metallic and translucent elements. Micro-engraved patterns – just 100 nonometers deep – applied to the dial’s sapphire disc base create an iridescent effect, reflecting different colors that shift with the angle of light while making the patterns visible. This element marks the first time that Felipe Pantone’s aesthetic is applied to sapphire crystal, and highlights Zenith’s determination to translate his instantly recognizable work. Available October 27 in a limited edition of 100.
Defy Extreme Felipe Pantone 29,900 CHF ≈ $30,800 – zenith-watches.com
