Zenith just added two new colorways to the Defy Extreme line, and they could not be more different. The Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli II uses real lapis lazuli stone on the dial and is limited to 25 pieces at $37,100. The Defy Extreme Ultraviolet uses a violet-tinted sapphire dial, is not limited, and starts at $20,100. Both landed in July 2026, and both run the same high-frequency El Primero 9004 caliber underneath.
The Zenith Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli II (left) and Ultraviolet (right), both released July 2026.
This post was written with AI assistance and reviewed by a working dealer before publishing. Every price, reference number, and spec below is sourced and current as of publication.
The short answer: the Lapis Lazuli II is a scarcity play built around a real gemstone dial, priced accordingly. The Ultraviolet is the more attainable version of the same case and movement, using a colored sapphire dial instead of stone. Neither is on the pre-owned market yet since both just launched, but Zenith's existing Defy Extreme and Chronomaster Sport references already are, and that is where a pre-owned buyer's actual opportunity sits today.
Two Very Different Colors, Same Extreme Architecture
Both watches share the Defy Extreme's signature look: a 45mm case, 15.4mm thick, with the angular, faceted lug architecture Zenith introduced across the Defy line. Both carry 200 meters of water resistance and an integrated bracelet.
Where They Split
The case material is the first real difference. The Lapis Lazuli II uses forged carbon and titanium, while the Ultraviolet uses microblasted titanium on its own. That construction difference, combined with the dial material, is most of what separates a $17,000 price gap between the two.
The Lapis Lazuli II: Real Stone, Real Scarcity
Reference 10.9102.9004/51.I200 pairs a genuine lapis lazuli dial, the same deep-blue stone used in fine jewelry for centuries, with yellow gold-plated hour markers and chronograph counters. Zenith left the natural pyrite inclusions visible in the stone rather than polishing them out, so no two dials will match exactly.
The lapis lazuli dial's natural pyrite inclusions mean no two Lapis Lazuli II watches match exactly.
Only 25 pieces are being made. At $37,100 (CHF 32,900), the premium over the Ultraviolet is almost entirely the stone dial and the scarcity that comes with a run this small.
A natural stone dial means no two watches are identical. That is a selling point for a collector piece, and a headache for anyone trying to buy "the one they saw online."
The 45mm forged carbon and titanium case on the wrist.
The Ultraviolet: Titanium, Sapphire, and a Much Lower Price of Entry
Reference 97.9100.9004/80.I209 swaps the stone for a violet-tinted sapphire dial with purple chronograph counters, built so the skeletonized movement is visible underneath the tint. It is not a limited edition, which keeps the price at $20,100 (CHF 17,900) and means Zenith can keep making them as long as demand holds.
The Ultraviolet's violet-tinted sapphire dial lets the skeletonized El Primero 9004 show through.
For a buyer who wants the Defy Extreme's high-frequency party trick without the five-figure premium of a stone dial, this is the version that makes sense.
The El Primero 9004 Doing the Work Underneath
Both watches share the same movement: the El Primero 9004, running at 36,000 vph (5Hz) for normal timekeeping and a blistering 360,000 vph (50Hz) when the chronograph is engaged. That high-frequency chronograph mode is what lets the Defy Extreme measure to 1/100th of a second.
The honest caveat: that chronograph mode only holds a power reserve of about 50 minutes, even though standard timekeeping runs a healthy 50 hours. Push the chronograph pusher and you are on a short clock. That is a known tradeoff of El Primero high-frequency architecture, not a flaw unique to these two watches, but it is worth knowing before you buy.
The Ultraviolet's 45mm microblasted titanium case on the wrist.
Specs at a Glance
| Lapis Lazuli II | Ultraviolet | |
|---|---|---|
| Reference | 10.9102.9004/51.I200 | 97.9100.9004/80.I209 |
| Case | 45mm forged carbon & titanium | 45mm microblasted titanium |
| Dial | Natural lapis lazuli, gold markers | Violet-tinted sapphire |
| Movement | El Primero 9004 | El Primero 9004 |
| Power reserve | 50h / ~50min (chrono) | 50h / ~50min (chrono) |
| Water resistance | 200m | 200m |
| Limited edition | 25 pieces | Not limited |
| Price | $37,100 | $20,100 |
Where This Leaves Pre-Owned Buyers
Here is the practical read. Both watches shipped in July 2026, which means there is no pre-owned market for either one yet. If you want a Lapis Lazuli II or an Ultraviolet today, you are buying new from an authorized Zenith retailer, full stop.
What pre-owned buyers can act on right now is the rest of the Defy catalog. The Chronomaster Sport and the standard El Primero-powered Defy references already trade pre-owned at real discounts to retail, and they run related movement architecture without the six-figure wait for a stone dial to hit the secondary market.
If the colorway is what draws you in, buy new. If the El Primero engineering is what draws you in, the pre-owned market already has cheaper ways in.
FAQ
What is the Zenith Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli II? It is a 2026 Zenith Defy Extreme with a genuine lapis lazuli stone dial, gold-plated markers, and a 45mm forged carbon and titanium case. It is limited to 25 pieces at $37,100.
What is the Zenith Defy Extreme Ultraviolet? It is a 2026 Zenith Defy Extreme with a violet-tinted sapphire dial and a 45mm microblasted titanium case. It is not a limited edition and starts at $20,100.
What movement is inside the Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli II and Ultraviolet? Both run the El Primero 9004, a high-frequency chronograph caliber that times to 1/100th of a second, with a 50-hour power reserve for timekeeping and about 50 minutes for the chronograph function.
Can you buy either watch pre-owned right now? Not yet. Both released in July 2026, so there is no secondary market inventory. Buyers who want the Defy Extreme's engineering today can look at the existing Chronomaster Sport and standard Defy references, which already trade pre-owned.
Why is the Lapis Lazuli II so much more expensive than the Ultraviolet? The price gap comes from the genuine lapis lazuli stone dial, the forged carbon case material, and the 25-piece limited run. The Ultraviolet uses a sapphire dial and an open production run, which keeps the price lower.
Related reading: The Zenith Chronomaster Sport: The Thinking Buyer's Daytona Alternative, The El Primero Powered the Rolex Daytona. Today It Is the Best Value in Chronographs., and The Best Chronograph Watches to Buy in 2026.