ZENITH’s New Chronograph is Inspired by ’60s Mid-Century Interior Design
If you’ve never heard of USM Modular Furniture, here’s a quick crash course. Founded in 1885, the Swiss designer and manufacturer became a household name only in 1963, when it introduced the USM Haller System. Built on a steel ball-and-tube skeleton, the modular design allowed for infinite reconfigurations, with vibrant glass panels that captured the spirit of the ‘60s—think the explosion of colours in pop art and psychedelia.
Nearly 60 years later, Zenith has teamed up with USM to release a limited-edition watch inspired by the ‘60s. Its design philosophy was sparked by a single question:
“What might these two icons of Swiss craftsmanship have created together back then?”
The answer is a vibrant, integrated sports bracelet watch that plays with geometry and angles.
The foundation is the skeleton of the 1969 Zenith DEFY, a fitting starting point for this creative fusion. Chrome-plated steel tubes and ball joints of the Haller System are mirrored through a compact 37.3 mm stainless steel case, while its octagonal form and fourteen-sided bezel scream classic ‘60s. Vintage pump-style chronograph pushers flank the right side of the case, reinforcing that rugged, asymmetrical silhouette that has endured across generations.
This interplay between contour and angular shapes is contrasted by square hour markers with horizontal grooves, lending the piece even greater architectural edge. But Zenith fans will know that these design elements aren’t novel.
So What Is?
Where the new DEFY Chronograph USM separates itself is through its movement. This is the first time a chronograph has entered the fray of the original DEFY line. Three silver subdials finished with fine concentric circles overlap each other boldly. This not only adds textural depth within a vibrant, solid-filled dial, but doubles as a subtle nod to USM’s iconic handles. Now pay attention to the second hand, it’s also tipped with a miniature USM Haller ball joint.
Inside beats the automatic El Primero 400 calibre—a choice that feels poetic given its lineage traces back to the El Primero 3019 PHC of 1969, the world’s first automatic high-frequency chronograph. Running at a frequency of 5hz, the movement also allows a water resistance of 100m and 55 hours of power reserve.
The DEFY Chronograph USM will be available in four punchy dial colours: Gentian Blue, Golden Yellow, Green, and Pure Orange. Each is limited to just 60 pieces, making this collaboration as exclusive as it is vibrant.
This article was first seen on ESQUIRE SG.
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