Hands-On: 46mm Zenith Defy El Primero Double-Tourbillon

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Two Tourbillon escapements now operate at 50 and 5Hz

APR 18, 2020 — BY ARIEL ADAMS https://www.ablogtowatch.com/zenith-...le-tourbillon/

Eight years ago, aBlogtoWatch was there when TAG Heuer debuted one of its several outstanding (from a performance standpoint) chronographs that attempted to very precisely measure intervals of time. That time in 2012, it was the TAG Heuer MikrotourbillonS. Guy Semon at TAG Heuer developed it (and other interesting mechanisms) under the Jean-Christophe Babin regime — and he is still working on exciting innovations there today. TAG Heuer and Zenith are both part of LVMH, and more recently it was decided that such ultra exotic high-end timepieces belonged more at other brands such as Hublot, Bulgari, and Zenith.

Zenith, being the home of the “high-beat” El Primero chronograph (which operates at 5Hz), was the natural place for the further development of “high-beat” chronographs, which this El Primero Double-Tourbillon most certainly is. The reference 10.9000.9020/79.R918 Zenith Defy El Primero Double-Tourbillon contains the Zenith caliber 9020 automatic movement, which builds upon the movement in the MikrotourbillonS. In addition to a new visual architecture, the two escapements now operate at 50 and 5Hz, as opposed to 50 and 4Hz from before. More so, each of the escapements is a tourbillon, which is where the Double-Tourbillon name comes from.

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If this is all confusing, then you aren’t alone. Understanding the layers of special features and iterative improvements in this watch is like mastering a tongue-twister. Suffice it to say that the 9020 movement separates the system for telling the time and the 30-minute chronograph in two — each with its own regulation systems (though I believe they both feed off of the same mainspring barrel with a total power reserve of 50 hours). The system to indicate the time operates at 5Hz (36,000 bph making it an El Primero), and the chronograph’s regulation system operates at 50Hz (360,000 bph). Again, both of the regulation systems are also tourbillons (where the entire assembly rotates on its own axis when in operation).

50Hz is fast enough for Zenith (and TAG Heuer before it) to claim chronograph precision of 1/100th of a second. In a world of digital timekeeping devices, that isn’t particularly marvelous — but it is if you exist within the context of mechanical timekeeping. The 9020 automatic movement itself is attractively designed in the new “Defy-style” which is the current collection this model is within. The blue tones of the movement bridges complement the black tones of the dial and case for this “bruiser” of a wristwatch.

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10.9000.9020/79.R918

DEFY DOUBLE TOURBILLON

Full Carbon model : Case, pushers, crown and buckle head
1/100th of a second Double Tourbillon Chronograph movement
1 Tourbillon escapement for the Watch (36,000 VpH - 5 Hz) ; 1 Tourbillon escapement for the Chronograph (360,000 VpH - 50Hz)

$113,000

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Movement

Movement El Primero 9020, Automatic
Components 311
Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve approx. 50 hours Functions

1/100th of a second Chronograph:
- Central chronograph hand that makes one turn each second
- 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock
- 60-second counter at 6 o'clock
- Chronograph power-reserve indication at 12 o'clock
Hours and minutes in the centre
Double Tourbillon
1 escapement for the Watch (36,000 VpH / 5 Hz - cage makes a turn in 60 second)
1 escapement for the Chronograph (360,000 VpH / 50 Hz - cage makes a turn in 5 second)Case

Material Black carbon
Diameter 46 mm
Water-resistance 10 ATM
Dial Open worked Strap

Strap Black rubber with blue "cordura effect" rubber
Clasp Titanium double folding clasp with black carbon head
PRODUCT SHEET

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Message from CEO Julien Tornare // COVID-19

To all our friends, family, clients and collaborators at Zenith,
We are thinking of you. These are challenging times we face, the likes of which we have never witnessed. COVID-19 knows no border, race, faith nor wealth. We are all in this together as a single, global community. Since its foundation, Zenith has always been there to support individuals in the pursuit of their dreams. Today, we all share the same dream: to overcome the virus and to get back to living our lives to the fullest. Like many of our peers in the watchmaking industry and virtually all sectors of the economy, we have taken the decision to temporarily close our manufacture as well as many of our boutiques around the world, in order to keep our customers, employees, their families and local communities safe.

Rest assured that our entire administrative team continues to work as tirelessly as ever from home. You can continue to contact them directly for whatever you need. Should you have any urgent requests or enquiries, you can contact our dedicated Concierge service at any time by writing to [email protected] or calling +41329306500.

We are also looking at how we can actively contribute to local efforts to promote safety and good practices, as well as the wellbeing of those who are on the frontlines of dealing with the virus. In the coming days, Zenith will be handing over its supply of face masks to the WHO service/partner in Le Locle.The Zenith team and I firmly believe that the path to a brighter tomorrow is paved with togetherness and selflessness. Everyday, we are inspired by the acts of kindness, bravery and community spirit that we are witnessing around the world. Until we overcome this hardship together, we hope you stay safe and never lose hope. This too shall pass.

 
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