Zenith Defy Lab: A Revolution in Timekeeping Accuracy
In mechanical engineering, a compliant mechanism is flexible and transfers force through elastic body deformation. A compliant mechanism is either monolithic or jointless. Its main advantage: Because there is just one part, neither assembly, nor lubrication, nor regulation are required. This, basically, is what LVMH’s Science Institute CEO Guy Sémon and his team just did with the traditional sprung balance: Zenith has finally revealed the long-awaited Defy Lab, a new watch with a revolutionary new oscillator, designed as a compliant mechanism.  The oscillator is etched from a wafer of silicon and combines the functions of the balance, balance spring, and lever in one single piece. It eliminates contact, friction, wear, slack, lubrication, assembly and dispersions and, according to Zenith, offers an “almost 10 times higher… degree of accuracy.” Its mean daily rate “is precise to within just 0.3 seconds.” On top of that, the new oscillator is supposed to maintain the same degree of precision for 95% of its power reserve and is “insensitive to temperature gradients, gravity and magnetic fields.” It vibrates back and forth, almost like a hummingbird (see clip below).
With the Defy Lab, Zenith also introduces a completely revamped movement, called the ZO 342. This caliber measures 32.8 mm in diameter and is 8.13 mm thick; the 0.5-mm-thin oscillator can be seen at work beneath the openworked dial and measures 30 mm in diam...
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