WINNING SERVE
End of game, set and match, bring on timed-quarters and shot-clock. To time this type of tennis encounter, the watchmakers from Le Locle propose a limited edition cut out for competition.
The brand new Ultimate Tennis Showdown league intend to shake up the lines, yet not the ones which mark out the court but the ones which set the rules of this century-old sport. To accompany this transition desired by Patrick Mouratoglou, a Zenith friend, the manufacture invites us to discover a special Defy 21 edition. So, what makes it stand out? The Defy 21 Patrick Mouratoglou Edition boasts the coach’s favorite color, blue, on its small seconds and on its two totalizers. Time data is displayed in an openworked dial set in a carbon-crafted case that’s as light and as sturdy as a tennis racket. The edge of the bezel, engraved and filled with luminescent pigments, features the coach’s motto, “Little details make big difference”.
All the functions are driven by the El Primero 9004 caliber. This selfwinding movement stands out with its two escapements, one set at 5 Hz for the time data and the other at 50 Hz for measuring time to 1/100th of a second. As such, the central direct-drive makes a full revolution every second. It hovers over a minute tracker marked out with dots as yellow-colored as tennis balls. Once fully wound, it delivers a power reserve of around 50 hours. An indicator set at 12 o’clock can be used at any time to check remaining energy available for the chronograph.
The 50-piece limited Defy 21 Patrick Mouratoglou Edition series is complemented by an azure rubber strap which imitates a woven textile effect.
Price: CHF19,500 zenith.com
By Dan Diaconu