Felipe Pantone Returns To Zenith For Holographic DEFY Extreme Chronograph
Limited to just 100 pieces.
Felipe Pantone has brought his full-spectrum toolkit to Zenith once again for a “highly chromatic” op art takeover of the Le Locle brand’s DEFY Extreme chronograph.
The Spanish-Argentinian contemporary artist has created “a new expression of time through light, colours and motion” with the 100-piece DEFY Extreme Felipe Pantone.
Transforming the rugged, dual-escapement high beat chronograph proved a challenge for Zenith, which had to find a technical solution to translate characteristic from Pantone’s Planned Iridescence series onto the much smaller scale of a watch dial.
The brand created a radial hologram on a sapphire crystal disc using a “physio-chemical process to create hidden micro-engraved patterns just 100 nanometres deep.” The disc initially appears “translucent and metallic” before revealing “a spark of colours and geometric patterns” after being turned into the light.
The metallic elements found in the Planned Iridescence series are reflected in the entirely polished finish of the watch’s stainless steel case, while the bezel and pusher guards are crafted from YAS (yttrium aluminosilicate) – a crystalline glass comparable to synthetic sapphire, color matched with a translucent blue silicone strap, which is accompanied by a fully polished stainless steel bracelet as well as a black Velcro strap.
The four shoulders of the watch are engraved with “FP#1”, shorthand for Felipe Pantone El Primero.
Pantone’s first watch collaboration with Zenith came in 2021, when a limited edition DEFY 21 quickly sold-out, leading to a unique piece DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon for the Only Watch 2021 auction, which sold for 480,000 CHF becoming the most expensive Zenith sold at auction.
The DEFY Extreme Felipe Pantone drops on October 27 at 08:00, exclusively via Zenith, priced 29,900 CHF (approximately $29,800 USD).
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