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Calibre analysis / Manual winding

Zenith Zero G: a balance that keeps its horizon

The DEFY Zero G mounts its regulating organ in a gimbal to keep it horizontal as the case tilts. The hand-wound El Primero 8812 S combines this arrangement with a 5 Hz balance.

Published 26 October 2026Announced 21 March 20184 min read
DEFY Zero G Titanium
Zenith · Image source

The essentials first

In one minute

CaseTitanium, 44 × 14.85 mm
Frequency5 Hz / 36,000 vph
WindingManual

Why it is interesting

Its appeal is immediately visible: tilt the watch and the regulating assembly seeks a level position. This is an unusually direct way to see a technical idea at work on the dial.

Things to consider

At 44 × 14.85 mm with manual winding, this is substantial, complex watchmaking rather than an unobtrusive cuff companion.

Zenith · DEFY Zero G Titanium

The movement in detail

The movement’s idea

The moving assembly at six o’clock in the DEFY Zero G can be more compelling to watch than the seconds hand. This is Gravity Control, a gimbal that holds the regulating organ horizontally. Our subject is the titanium model from the 2018 generation, which brought the idea into DEFY’s open architecture.

The underlying principle comes from the suspension of marine chronometers. The case changes position while the inner assembly seeks to remain level. The construction aims to reduce positional rate errors. Zero G does not mean gravity disappears, nor does the name alone guarantee zero timing deviation.

Gravity Control in the lower portion of the titanium DEFY Zero G’s open dial.Enlarge

Gravity Control in the lower portion of the titanium DEFY Zero G’s open dial.

© Zenith · Source

The El Primero 8812 S is manually wound and runs at 5 Hz, or 36,000 vibrations per hour. El Primero does not imply a chronograph here: this watch displays the time, small seconds and power reserve. Its lack of start buttons fits that purpose.

Practical meaning

Openworking reveals the layout without turning the watch over. Hours and minutes sit above, with small seconds to the left and power reserve to the right. Attention is divided between reading the time and observing the mechanism, trading familiar three-hand simplicity for mechanical spectacle.

The titanium case measures 44 mm across and 14.85 mm thick. Around 50 hours of reserve calls for regular hand winding. Trying the bracelet version on matters: diameter alone cannot tell you how this substantial open construction will sit on a particular wrist.

The strongest reason to study Zero G is the visible alternative approach to the regulator’s position. A collector buying an example should focus on service history and access to specialist support rather than treat the system’s name as a promise of perfect timekeeping. #Zenith #DefyZeroG #ElPrimero #GravityControl #ManualWinding #WatchMovement

Sources

Zenith — official DEFY Zero G announcement and imagespressroom.zenith-watches.com · 21 March 2018Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie — DEFY Zero Gwww.hautehorlogerie.org