Zenith DEFY Chronograph USM TimeForArt Unique Piece

Zenith and USM built a mirror-dial DEFY chronograph and a matching mirrored Haller sideboard, then made exactly one of each for a Phillips charity sale in December.

Two Swiss Icons

USM patented the Haller modular system in 1965. Four years later Zenith introduced the original DEFY and the El Primero high-frequency chronograph. Last fall the two companies put that shared history on the wrist with a run of DEFY Chronograph USM watches, and the pairing is back now as a single piece built for TimeForArt, the Swiss Institute benefit auction run with Phillips.

The Mirror Dial

The dial is polished to a full mirror, so it picks up whatever room it sits in. Three overlapping azure counters carry USM Golden Yellow, Pure Orange and Green, with Gentian Blue on the minute track and central chronograph hand. It is the first time all four USM colors have shared one dial. The tip of that blue seconds hand is a miniature Haller ball joint, the small chrome connector the whole furniture system hangs on.

Inside the Case

The 37mm octagonal steel case keeps its 14-sided bezel and vintage ladder bracelet. Inside runs the El Primero 400, a column-wheel automatic chronograph beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour with a silicon escapement and 55 hours of reserve. The rotor wears both logos behind an exhibition caseback.

The Sideboard

USM built a one-off mirrored Haller sideboard to go with the watch. A glass top displays the first layer of a collection, and a lockable drawer lined in USM color holds the rest, with room for 24 watches in all.

The Auction

The watch and sideboard sell together as one lot at Phillips New York on December 5, 2026, at 3 PM EST. Every dollar, buyer's premium included, goes to Swiss Institute.