The concept of “Swiss design” connotes a degree of hyper-efficient modernism with a clarity of aesthetic supporting decipherable function. There’s room for experimentation and bold expression but within the constraints of a measured rationalism that seems to transcend time. Setting out to highlight this distinctive identity are luxury watchmaker ZENITH and high-end furniture producer USM Modular Furniture, joining forces in a colorful collaboration that gives nod to where their paths might have crossed in the 1960s – arguably one of the heydays of Swiss design. Rooted in the original 1969 ZENITH DEFY and reimagined as a chronograph infused with USM’s modular design language, the limited-edition capsule collection celebrates Swiss excellence and comes paired with a custom USM Haller chest created exclusively for the collaboration.
USM has been gaining traction as of late for its dynamic partnerships with notable contemporary designers, musicians, and other tastemakers. All have found clever ways to implement and reinterpret the especially versatile flagship Haller Modular System product, first launched in 1965. Though established in the late nineteenth century, it was the former’s era-defining El Primero Chronograph watch – released in 1969 – that reestablished its cultural cachet.
Celebrating the imagined convergence of these two iconic designs is the new DEFY Chronograph USM capsule watch collection. Available in emblematic Green, Golden Yellow, Gentian Blue, and Pure Orange – tones one might find adorning the panels that insert-into a USM shelf – the limited edition time pieces are encased in a 37.3mm stainless steel body with a bold 14-sided bezel and a signature Zenith “ladder” bracelet.
“This partnership unites the excellence of Swiss design and horology, embodying a mutual appreciation for enduring, modern aesthetics,” said Benoit de Clerck, CEO of ZENITH. “The modular design of USM Haller, celebrated for its functional beauty, resonates with our own dedication to craftsmanship in watchmaking.”
It’s almost as if the device is an aesthetic and formal translation of the furnishing. So much so that the watches come with a USM Haller Timepiece Chest, assembled using the actual ball joints and tube components, as well as matched-tone panels.
The world building involved in the cohesive pairing of these seemingly disparate brands goes even further. The dials grooved into watch faces are square, indicating a structural treatment, what the USM Haller is essentially: a scaled down architecture. The three overlapping chronograph counters are rendered in silver – reflecting the especially reflective polished steel used in the storage system. Another more explicit, if minuscule, nod is the replicated USM Haller ball joint at the tip of the second chronograph hand. The element is filled with SuperLuminova for visibility in low light.
“Both USM Modular Furniture and ZENITH were founded as owner-driven workshops integrated in a microcosm of Swiss craftsmanship – a shared origin that has naturally guided us toward partnership,” said Alexander Schärer, USM CEO. “ZENITH is a company that not only mirrors our heritage, but also embodies values profoundly aligned with our own. Though our products, industries, and even our clientele may appear distinct at first glance, they are ultimately bound by a shared devotion to timeless quality, refined aesthetics, and purposeful functionality.”
Each version of the DEFY Chronograph USM comes in a bold, vibrant dial color, with just 60 pieces produced per design. Collectors can choose a single watch or acquire all four variations, and to complement the timepieces, the watches can be stored in the custom-designed chest that’s a secure, lockable unit designed to adapt as collections grow. Inside, three color-coordinated watch boxes provide storage for up to 12 timepieces.
To learn more about the ZENITH and USM Modular Furniture limited edition collaboration, visit zenith-watches.com.
Photography courtesy of ZENITH.
