04/13/2021
 6 minutes

Watches and Wonders 2021: Zenith, TAG Heuer, and Greubel Forsey

By Balazs Ferenczi

For Watches and Wonders 2021, Zenith focused on its popular Defy collection. While the name Defy has been linked to the Zenith brand for decades, the current Defy collection is a very modern and varied set of watches. For 2021, Zenith decided to introduce an extreme version of the Defy alongside a series of colorful watches. Let’s find out more. 

Zenith Defy Extreme 

The first additions to the Defy collection are the Zenith Defy Extreme timepieces. All three feature a 45-mm titanium case with an open-worked dial, but each has its own look. The first comes in black microblasted titanium; the second in blue brushed, polished, and microblasted titanium; and the third in a mix of microblasted titanium and polished rose gold.  

The Zentih Defy Extreme chronograph runs 60 times faster than most chronographs.
The Zenith Defy Extreme chronograph runs 60 times faster than most chronographs.

Thanks to the open-worked dial, you can witness the true magic of Zenith’s El Primero 9004 chronograph movement. The high-frequency movement ticks at 36,000 vph for greater accuracy. There is also a second gear train equipped with a high-frequency escapement that runs at 360,000 vph. As a result, the central chronograph seconds hand can make a full rotation around the dial every second. That’s mind-blowingly fast if you consider most chronograph seconds hands cover the same distance in 60 seconds.   

The Zenith Defy comes with an integrated bracelet, a textured rubber strap, and a velcro strap, which you can easily switch between thanks to a quick-change system. The first models will be available starting May 2021. The black and blue versions are priced at $18,000, while the two-tone version will cost $22,000.  

Editor’s rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 

Alternatives: Hublot Big Bang Unico Titanium, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 

Zenith Defy Spectrum 

The second Zenith introduction is a series of limited edition Defy timepieces that come in striking colors and are set with gemstones. The Defy Spectrum is the brand’s take on the recent trend of colorful, playful releases. The base is a 44-mm stainless steel Zenith Defy chronograph. To add even more color, the brand has applied a PVD coating to the El Primero 21 movement. The color corresponds with the gemstone encrusted bezel and rubber strap. The Defy Spectrum comes in five different colors: green, orange, blue, purple, and black. Zenith will produce 10 of each color. The watches will be available in June 2021 and priced at $35,900. 

Editor’s rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 

Alternatives: Hublot Big Bang Unico RainbowJacob & Co Epic X Chrono Pavé 

TAG Heuer at Watches and Wonders 2021: The Next Generation Aquaracer 

TAG Heuer’s 844 limited editions are inspired by vintage designs.
TAG Heuer’s 844 limited editions are inspired by vintage designs.

For Watches and Wonders 2021, TAG Heuer brought back a classic: the Aquaracer. It was about time for the brand to take a closer look at the model line and give it a 21st-century update. Let’s explore the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer. 

844 Limited Editions 

The history of the Aquaracer began with the Heuer ref. 844 diver from 1978. The watch had a distinctive, recognizable look. With its black dial, red 24-hour scale in the center of the dial, and huge lume-covered indices, the ref. 844 became the archetypical Heuer diver. The latest limited edition Aquaracer pays tribute to this vintage model. The new TAG Heuer Aquaracer shares many design characteristics with the vintage ref. 844 – a black dial, a red 24-hour scale, beige lume-covered indices – and is limited to a run of 844. 

Editor’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

Alternatives: vintage Heuer 844Rolex Submariner 5513Seiko 6159 

Aquaracer 43 mm 

However, the limited-edition Aquaracer is not the only new model in the collection. TAG Heuer created five new watches in total, all of which are sized at 43 mm, including the 844 tribute model. Four out of the five come in a steel case. The fifth, however, is housed in a case made of Grade 2 titanium paired with a beautiful green ceramic bezel and green dial with horizontal embossed lines. In addition to the green titanium model and the black 844 tribute, TAG released three other 43-mm Aquaracers. Two of them have black ceramic bezel inlays and either black or gray dials, and the last one has a blue bezel and dial. All of the watches have the same horizontal lines as the titanium version. Other than the 844, which comes on a rubber strap, every watch is equipped with a matching bracelet and a diver extension. 

Editor’s rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 

Alternatives: Omega Seamaster 300MLongines Hydroconquest Automatic 

Every new 43-mm TAG Heuer Aquaracer has the same horizontal lines.
Every new 43-mm TAG Heuer Aquaracer has the same horizontal lines.

36-mm Women’s Aquaracer 

In addition to the 43-mm Aquaracers, TAG Heuer is also releasing three new 36-mm models. These timepieces are targeted toward women, especially the blue version, which features a blue bezel, special blue dial, and diamond indices. All three 36-mm models come in a steel case with a subtle wave motif on the dial. In addition to the blue edition, TAG Heuer offers versions with a white or black dial and a black bezel. Again, the watches all come on a matching steel bracelet. 

Editor’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

If not this, then that: Seamaster 300M LadiesAlpina Seastrong LadiesRado Hyperchrome Automatic 

Greubel Forsey at Watches and Wonders 2021: The Stunning New Greubel Forsey GMT Sport  

The brand that made the most spectacular presentation during Watches and Wonder 2021 is, without a doubt, Greubel Forsey. Their all-new Greubel Forsey GMT Sport was introduced on the wrist of a skydiver as he jumped out of a helicopter. How’s that for impact? 

Greubel Forsey makes the most spectacular presentation at Watches and Wonders 2021.
Greubel Forsey makes the most spectacular presentation at Watches and Wonders 2021.

Greubel Forsey is known for creating unique pieces of haute horlogérie that you need to see in the metal to appreciate fully. The Greubel Forsey GMT Sport is not a brand first. We have seen the model before, but this new version is a spectacular take on a GMT watch with a few more tricks up its sleeve than just a second time zone display. Let’s take a look.  

Inside the 42-mm titanium case, you will find a movement that is regulated by the Tourbillon 24 Secondes, which is located at 1 o’clock. The tourbillon cage is placed at a 25° angle and completes a full rotation every 24 seconds. At 3 o’clock, you’ll find a power reserve indicator, which displays how much of the watch’s 72-hour power reserve remains. The two struts at 4 and 5 o’clock connect to the skeletonized bridge on which the central hour and minute hands are mounted. 

The new Greubel Forsey GMT Sport is full of interesting details, including a 3D globe between 7 and 9 o’clock.
The new Greubel Forsey GMT Sport is full of interesting details, including a 3D globe between 7 and 9 o’clock.

There is a 3D globe between 7 and 9 o’clock that depicts the Earth as seen from the North Pole. The globe rotates once every 24 hours and displays the current time and day/night indication for all longitudes. At the 10 o’clock position, a pair of triangular hands displays the second time zone alongside a rotating disc indicating the running seconds. On the left side of the case, the two pushers can be used to adjust the second time zone and the globe. Are you still with me? 

It doesn’t end there. If you turn the watch over, you will find a rotating disc with the names of 24 cities around the world and the time in their respective time zones. To make things even more mind-blowing, the display also indicates daylight savings time and which time zones use it. I could go on and on about the finishing of the case, the incredible titanium bracelet, and the fact that the manufacturer will produce only 33 pieces, but I must stop somewhere. If you would like to call one of these watches your own, be prepared to spend 480,000 Swiss francs (approx. $520,000) for the version on a rubber strap. The version on an integrated bracelet costs an additional 40,000 Swiss francs (approx. $43,500), which puts you well over the half a million mark. That’s a remarkable price for a remarkable timepiece. 

Editor’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

Alternatives: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMTMB&F HM3Jacob & Co Astronomia 

Read more

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Ulysse Nardin and Vacheron Constantin Releases for Watches and Wonders 2021

IWC at Watches and Wonders 2021: Pilot’s Watch in the Spotlight


About the Author

Balazs Ferenczi

I’ve been interested in watches for as long as I can remember. I've always thought the only “jewelry” a man should wear is a nice watch. It also says a lot about …

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