It has been sought after since Antiquity, at least, for its deep, intense blue color. Typically it is used in jewellery making but it has been carved into myriad objects including  game boards, bowls and amulets. And now the house of Zenith has taken the dreamy blue stone to the wrist on the dial of its Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli. The timepiece has been brought out in a limited edition of just 50 pieces to celebrate the house’s 160th anniversary in 2025. For over a century and a half this Swiss house has been at the pinnacle of fine precise watchmaking. The deep celestial blue dial incarnates the symbolic color of the Maison, a symbol of infinity, precision and the quest for excellence. Through translucent « windows » on the dial you can catch a glimpse of the El Primero 9004 in-house movement, one of the most precise in the world, capable of, precisely, measuring to the 1/100th of a second. Highly polished steel, bright 18k yellow gold and the intense blue of lapis make this 45mm dial even more of a standout. The timepiece can be outfitted with three interchangeable straps: steel, black rubber or black Velcro and has a power reserve of 12 hours .©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette https://www.zenith-watches.com/en_us/

From the house of Zenith the limited edition Defy Extreme Lapis Lazuli. Photos courtesy Zenith. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette