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An extremely rare watch with a unique and highly complex mechanism to counteract gravity

Zenith Defy Zero G Tourbillon Sapphire Limited Edition

In regulating a watch for accuracy, one inevitable force has always plagued watchmakers: gravity. The simplest solution to counteract the effects of gravity is a compromise. Watchmakers will adjust and regulate a watch in multiple positions (dial up, dial down, crown right, etc.) to minimize positional variation and the average error. A more complicated solution emerged in the late 1700s when Abraham-Louis Breguet invented the tourbillon, a continuously rotating cage that would cancel out the detrimental effects of gravity on accuracy. Of course, at the time of Breguet's invention, the most common form of timepiece was the pocket watch. Whereas the wristwatch moves between many positions with the movement of its wearer, the pocket watch primarily sat vertically in the owner's pocket. The tourbillon, which only negated the effects of gravity in this vertical position, was perfectly suited to this use. Nowadays, counteracting gravity on a single plane is far less useful, with many arguing that the wrist itself acts as a kind of tourbillon due to its constant movement. Still, a few watchmakers have constructed three-dimensional solutions for the wristwatch. For instance, Jaeger-LeCoultre's ultra-complicated "Gyrotourbillon" rotates on two axes instead of one. The Zenith Defy Zero G offers another ingenious remedy to the gravity dilemma.

The El Primero 8812 SK caliber inside the Defy Zero G Sapphire is equipped with what Zenith calls a "gravity control" module. Despite its visual complexity, the solution is conceptually very simple. Made of 139 components, the in-house-developed gyroscopic mechanism uses a miniature gimbal to keep the escapement level no matter the watch's position. In addition to this mechanism, the caliber also offers 50 hours of power reserve and the impressive 5Hz frequency shared by most El Primero movements.

Zenith introduced the first iteration of the Defy Zero G in 2018. That model was fairly conventional, featuring a 44mm titanium case and traditional finishes. The Zero G Sapphire, which debuted in 2021 in a limited edition of just 10 pieces, is far more special. In keeping with the theme of gravity, the design is wholly inspired by space and includes vibrant celestial motifs. Constructed entirely out of sapphire, the 46mm case is equally conspicuous. Crafting complex shapes out of sapphire is not easy to do, and it is even harder to make the end product look right. Zenith has maintained the angular architecture of the Defy collection and kept the lugs decently short to make the substantial 46mm size more wearable.

Thanks to the use of several materials and finishing techniques, the dial is extremely ornate and off centered to allow a full view of the gravity module. The hour and minute hands sit on a disc made of aventurine glass. An outer ring of meteorite hosts the hour markers and minute track. To the left, a small seconds sub-dial is decorated with an orange miniature painting evoking Mars. At three o'clock, a power reserve indication sits on the front side of the caliber. In addition to being impressively skeletonized, the El Primero 8812 SK caliber is almost fully coated with a blue PVD engraved with stars. The back of the gravity control model continues the space theme with an imitation of the moon.

Although the brand is primarily known for its hi-beat El Primero chronograph caliber, Zenith has the capacity to produce some impressively complicated watches. With its unconventional finishing and materials and complex gravity control mechanism, the Defy Zero G Sapphire is a prime example of the high-end watchmaking the brand can achieve.

Zenith Defy Zero G Tourbillon Sapphire Limited Edition