Two icons of Swiss craftsmanship, ZENITH and USM Modular Furniture, have come together to celebrate the spirit of 1960s creativity with an exclusive capsule collection. The collaboration reimagines a meeting of minds between two pioneering brands: ZENITH, with its revolutionary El Primero chronograph of 1969, and USM, creator of the iconic Haller modular system of 1965. The result is the DEFY Chronograph USM, a watch that blends horological mastery with architectural clarity, paying homage to an era defined by bold ideas and modernist design.
The starting point for this imagined heritage piece is the 1969 DEFY, known for its sharply angular case, faceted contours, and signature 14-sided bezel.
In this new interpretation, the watch takes the form of a chronograph for the very first time, now equipped with ZENITH’S legendary El Primero 400 calibre. Beating at a high frequency of 5Hz, this automatic column-wheel chronograph movement continues to set the benchmark for precision over 55 years after its debut.
Visible through the sapphire caseback, its rotor bears an openworked ZENITH star, flanked by both the ZENITH and USM logos, symbolising the harmony of horological and architectural innovation.
Design codes from USM’s Haller system echo across the timepiece. The 37.3 mm stainless steel case with its octagonal profile mirrors the system’s structural clarity, while pump-style pushers reinforce its vintage-inspired character.
The dial is offered in four vibrant USM signature colours—Gentian Blue, Golden Yellow, Pure Orange, and Green—each limited to 60 pieces worldwide. Square hour markers with horizontal grooves enhance its architectural aesthetic, and three overlapping silver sub-dials add texture, recalling the concentric geometry of USM’s iconic handles.
A playful detail ties the design together: the chronograph seconds hand is tipped with a miniature USM Haller ball joint, filled with Super-LumiNova, revealing the hidden ZENITH star when activated.
Completing the look is the original “ladder” bracelet, designed in 1969 by Gay Frères, bringing a retro flair to the contemporary creation. Each edition comes in a custom-designed USM Haller timepiece chest, further extending the design partnership beyond the watch itself.
The DEFY Chronograph USM is priced at SGD 16,700 and is available exclusively through ZENITH boutiques, its online store, and authorised retailers.
