Zenith has long been at the forefront of innovation. Since its founding 160 years ago in 1865, the Maison has notched more than 2,300 chronometry prizes, developed over 600 different movements, and filed more than 300 patents. One of its most significant milestones came in 1969 with the debut of the now-iconic El Primero, the world’s first integrated, high-frequency automatic chronograph calibre. Since then, Zenith has continued to enhance the El Primero, advancing its accuracy from 1/10th of a second to 1/100th of a second. The Maison has also introduced other developments to its repertoire.
Another important achievement came in the new millennium with the patented Zero G in 2008. This marked the first and only wristwatch movement to be equipped with a gimbal-mounted “Gravity Control” escapement module, a mechanism that neutralizes the effects of gravity – one of the greatest challenges in mechanical watchmaking and precision timekeeping. Today, Zenith continues to build on this technology with two new editions of its Zero G design.
The Impact of Gravity on a Watch Movement
The pursuit of defying gravity has been on watchmakers’ minds for ages. Depending on the position of a watch, gravity acts differently on the regulating organ, altering its rate. Abraham-Louis Breguet made an early attempt at tackling this problem back in 1801 with the creation of the tourbillon. As a refresher, the tourbillon is a mechanism with a revolving cage that holds the balance wheel, balance spring, and escapement. Here, the rotation helps to average out errors caused by gravity. The solution was effective for pocket watches, which tend to remain in a static position. However, things became more complicated with wristwatches that are in more constant motion.
To solve this dilemma in the realm of wristwatches, Zenith looked to a place that may appear to be an unlikely source at first glance: marine chronometers. These instruments had to maintain a steady rate aboard ships constantly subjected to rolling and pitching. To achieve this, the chronometer was placed inside a case suspended in a gimbal system, allowing it to remain perfectly level and effectively cancel gravity’s influence. With the Zero G, Zenith miniaturizes this concept to fit within the confines of a wristwatch.
The Next Evolution of the Zero G
Ten years after its debut, Zenith refined the Zero G with a more compact "Gravity Control" gyroscopic module that occupied just 30% of its initial volume. Three years later in 2021, the brand redesigned the entire calibre once again with a new architecture to enable a more open, exhibitive display and put it center stage in a sapphire case. Now, we get two new highly limited sapphire versions of the model as a continuation of the Maison’s 160th birthday festivities.
In fitting with the anniversary theme, a blue color palette extends across both variations. One takes the color scheme most literally with a blue sapphire case while the other retains a clear sapphire case. Each version features a lapis lazuli dial displaying the offset hours, minutes, and small seconds. The configuration puts the brand’s technical prowess on full display with the skeletonized manual-winding El Primero 8812S calibre visible on both sides and the Zero Gravity module at 6 o’clock.
Released in a limited edition of 10 pieces each, the Defy Zero G models are available from Zenith’s physical and online boutiques, as well as through authorized retailers worldwide.
