Following the debut of their initial collaborative collection in September 2025, ZENITH and USM Modular Furniture are joining forces once again to present a unique interpretation of the DEFY Chronograph USM, created specifically for TimeForArt. This distinctive piece, known as the DEFY Chronograph USM – TimeForArt Unique Piece, was designed for a charity auction benefiting the Swiss Institute. It revisits the watch introduced in September 2025, featuring a key enhancement: its dial is now finished with a high-gloss treatment, achieving a mirror-like effect. Accompanying the watch is a custom USM Haller furniture piece, tailored for this project.
The collaboration between ZENITH and USM Modular Furniture is rooted in one of the most creatively groundbreaking decades in the history of both brands. The modular USM Haller system was patented in 1965, and four years later, ZENITH introduced two innovative products: the original DEFY model and the El Primero – a high-frequency automatic chronograph that redefined the limits of watchmaking. The two Swiss firms, each representing distinct fields, were united by a shared moment of creative breakthrough in design and engineering.
This shared inspiration laid the groundwork for their first partnership in 2025, where the iconic angular design of the 1969 DEFY model received a new interpretation in the form of a chronograph powered by the El Primero movement. Subtle references to the USM Haller system seamlessly merged the worlds of watchmaking and modular design.
For TimeForArt, ZENITH and USM Modular Furniture are taking this concept even further. The colorful dials from their original collection give way to a reflective surface that constantly changes based on the environment. Light, architecture, and movement become integral parts of its appearance, making the watch present itself differently each time.
ZENITH watches are available through W.KRUK. Models from the first collaboration between the two brands can be found at wkruk.pl.
