Kong provides a detailed recap of the Zenith Defy Lab unveiling in Singapore, where Jean-Claude Biver and Guy Semon introduced a groundbreaking monolithic oscillator. This report highlights the technical innovation poised to revolutionize traditional watchmaking, offering insights into the ZO 342 movement and the use of Aeronith, the world's lightest aluminum composite.
Last week, Jean-Claude Biver and Guy Semon flew in to Singapore to unveil a new breakthrough oscillator (which could replace the principle invention of Dutch mathematician, astronomer, physicist and horologist, Christiaan Huygens in the 17th century) which drives the ZENITH DEFY Lab.
The 10 unique pieces of ZENITH DEFY Lab are housed in Aeronith (world's lightest aluminum composite) case housing the ZO 342 movement with the new monolithic oscillator beating at 15 Hz (108,000 vph), three times higher than the El Primero.
For more close up and details of the monolithic oscillator, please refer to the
post by Magnus.
Below is the short recap of evening ...
The decorated of the venue, Media Bar at JW Marriott South Beach Singapore ...
Emcee of the evening started the evening, introducing the Jean-Claude Biver ...
Jean-Claude Biver greeting the guests and gave a short speech.
He mentioned something about this era is the time Open-source. Probably in term of continuous development of the oscillator or about licensing. The oscillator and ZO 342 movement
will be first in production for Zenith, and perhaps after a year later, would open to the sister companies in the LVMH group then to other brands.
Next up, Guy Semon, the Team Head of the group behind this new oscillator ...
Guy Semon mentioned new invention is only possible due to the trust and backing of the Boss ...
He listed a good oscillator should feature - good isochronism, low relative dampening, balancing, tackle size constraints, good shock resistance and accurate frequency.
The above slide showed the new monolithic oscillator replaces about 30 components of the standard regulating system - spiral, balance wheel, Incabloc shock protection system and escapement
with a single piece of monocrystalline silicon.
Next in term of timekeeping the new oscillator maintain a tight window variation of 0.3 second per day (as seen in the gradual green curve) over 95% of its power reserve.
A snapshot of the specifications with features of the new oscillator in Calibre ZO 342 .
Some snapshots of the showcased piece ...
Zenith DEFY LAB in 44mm Aerolith case.
Extremely light housing
This one from Jean-Claude Biver's wrist ...
After the unveiling the Zenith DEFY LAB, Jean-Claude Biver and Guy Semon, stayed back and have wefies with guests ...
Next a short video of the Zenith DEFY LAB ... was trying to capture the beats of the oscillator, but unable to ...
In case the video does not play, please
click here to view in Youtube.
