Zenith Unveils World’s Most Accurate Mechanical Watch

This story originally appeared in the November/December 2017 issue of Elite Traveler.

Zenith unveils Defy Lab, what it calls the world’s most accurate mechanical watch. This is possible because of a new oscillator: a single piece of 0.5mm-thick silicon that replaces the traditional sprung balance. This innovation allows it to oscillate at a frequency five times higher (15 Hz) than a standard movement, and results in tremendous accuracy for up to 95 percent of the 60-hour power reserve. Its certified daily rate is approximately 0.3 seconds, and is classed as a chronometer by Besançon Observatory. The 10 watches feature an Aeronith case—a new patent-pending hybrid material made of aluminum foam and a special polymer that is 2.7 times lighter than titanium—but each watch has a different color. While all 10 unique versions have been pre-sold, new pieces will be released next year and we are excited to see how Zenith incorporates this technology into future movements.