Watch of the Week: Zenith Defy El Primero 21 Swizz Beatz

The Zenith Defy El Primero 21 is already an impressive watch, with its automatic 1/100th-second chronograph movement. However, when Grammy-award winning artists Swizz Beatz adds his style to it, it gets even better. For his creation, Swizz Beatz opted for a vibrant color combination of white and orange. On the Zenith, it works wonders because no corners are cut to bring them to life in nearly every aspect of the watch.

This starts with the case, which is crafted from white ceramic. An exceptional choice as black still reigns supreme when it comes to this material. The side of the bezel is also engraved with some words of wisdom from Swizz Beatz: The sky’s not the limit it’s just the view. Filled in with orange, it makes for a nice and subtle detail that sets this watch even further apart from the rest. The Zenith lacks a dial in the classic sense. Instead, are most of the hands on the dial enclosed by a white ring on which the necessary information is printed in black. Combined with orange details does this make for one of the most legible skeleton dials in the industry.

While this approach doesn’t take away from the function of the Defy El Primero 21 Swizz Beatz, it does do a lot for its form. It gives a great insight into some of the parts that make this movement so unique. This caliber is fitted with two escapements. One supports accurate timekeeping and is running at 36,000 VpH, the signature frequency for the El Primero. The other one is dedicated to the chronograph and runs at an astonishing 360,000 VpH. As a result, this allows Zenith to have a centrally mounted hand that goes around the dial in just one second, allowing the chronograph to measure with 1/100th of a second precision.

The strap is also a piece of art, made from white rubber with orange alligator leather. It secures the watch in a very comfortable way to the wrist while at the same time complimenting the stylish theme of this Defy El Primero 21 Swizz Beatz. A titanium double folding clasp offers the finishing touch. Next to the chronograph function is it also water-resistant to 100 meters. This is further testimony that this Zenith and Swizz Beatz collaboration is not only a good looking creation but first and foremost a very serious sports watch.