Hands On: Zenith DEFY Extreme Jungle

First came the Desert. Then the Glacier. And now, in the third and final iteration comes perhaps the most extreme of the trio -- the Jungle. While both the Desert and the Glacier models had a certain level of restraint and monochromaticity in their unique aesthetics, the DEFY Extreme Jungle perhaps best personifies the true nature of these extreme pieces.

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Measuring 45mm across and 15.40mm in height, the Zenith DEFY Extreme Jungle sits right on the edge of being wearable for my wrist. It looks large but wears light as a feather, and like the other two models, the DEFY Extreme Jungle is too crafted in titanium. And like both the Desert and the Glacier models, the Jungle also has a few nifty touches applied to its look.

Zenith have opted to use the Tiger's Eye gemstone for the chronograph pusher protectors along with the dodecagonal bezel. The TIger's Eye belongs to the quartz family and has been used in ornate jewellery making for many years. The colour striations mimic the look and aura of a tiger, a symbol likened to strength and mystique. 

While the model itself is limited, the nature of using a natural gemstone means that each piece will have some altering properties and distinguishable features. That means if you're one of the lucky 50 people to own the Zenith DEFY Extreme Jungle, then you can lay claim to the fact that this can be considered a piece unique. In a way. 

Peering through the semi-openworked dial and through the tinted sapphire crystal, and what you can see continues that evocation of a jungle vibe. Zenith has incorporated a khaki green coloured main plate on the movement, a khaki green coloured oscillating weight, as well as three tiger-coloured counters. But legibility is not lost with these bold colours, with Zenith ensuring ease of use both while engaging the watch's functions and in the actual reading of the information on the dial. 

The Zenith DEFY Extreme Jungle is powered by the El Primero 9004. I can think of no movement more appropriate or well suited to the virtues of this extreme piece than the 9004. This is a 1/100th of a second certified chronometer movement. It features two escapements -- one for the standard time telling which beats at 5 Hz, and the other for the chronograph which beats at 50 Hz. The 9004 is a brilliant movement that reminds us all that Zenith is first and foremost an incredible calibre manufacturer, amongst other things, of course. 

Zenith has made the DEFY Extreme Jungle available on a titanium bracelet, a khaki green embossed rubber strap with a titanium folding buckle, along with a black Velcro strap, too. The practical nature of the Jungle extends to the way that you can easily change the strap too, with Zenith employing the use of its super easy interchangeable strap system. 

Zenith's DEFY Extreme range is right up my alley. They're big, they're bold and they're super technical. I love the marriage of all the fine minutiae details, the intricate array of colours and the sort of rugged robust nature of the Jungle -- again it just speaks to me in a sort of fun, light hearted fashion while still retaining its authentic nature of being a genuine piece of bona fide stature.

The Zenith DEFY Extreme Jungle is limited to 50 pieces and is priced at AUD41,500.

ZENITH

• Brand: Zenith

• Model: DEFY Extreme Jungle

• Reference: 95.9202.9004/26.I001

• Case: 45mm x 15.40mm

• Case Material: Titanium and Tiger's Eye gemstone

• Water Resistance: 200m

• Movement: El Primero 9004

• Frequency: 5 Hz (Time); 50 Hz (Chronograph)

• Power Reserve: 50 hours

• Price: AUD41,500 (Limited to 50 pieces)