Zenith enriches its Defy line with two collector-friendly complications in a modern watch. One is designed for immersion, with an impressive professional diver’s model certified to 600 meters. The other is cut out for racing and precision, with the first chronograph to join the Defy line, a powerful 42mm tricompax version.
Until now, this chronograph was the preserve of the aptly named Chronomaster. The Defy Skyline Chronograph now features both a more urban design and a chronograph. Three 42mm models have been unveiled in blue, silver-toned or black versions featuring a sunburst-patterned dial with a starry sky motif.
Its geometry is more complex than it appears, involving a clever combination of round and dodecagonal shapes, angles and curves. The 12 sides lend a distinctive touch thanks to the mirror-polished bezel, echoed on the inner bezel ring. The three counters are concentrated within such a small area that they touch, thereby freeing up space at 12 o’clock.
Here, enthusiasts will notice a peculiarity: the graduated scale for the central seconds has only ten indexes instead of 60. This is typical of the El Primero 3630 self-winding caliber, which operates at 36,000 vph and can instantly read tenths of a second. In the same spirit of extreme accuracy, the movement is equipped with a stop-second function, an appreciable subtlety for perfect time-setting.
Each timepiece comes with two interchangeable wristbands: a rubber strap and a triple-link steel bracelet – one of the finest contemporary examples of its kind, featuring a large central link with a satin-brushed finish.
FIRST DEFY DIVER’S WATCH
After the first Defy chronograph, Zenith announces its first Defy diver’s model, complete with an impressive resume: water resistance to 600m, a 42.5mm titanium case, helium valve, ceramic bezel, date, 5Hz movement, silicon escapement, 60h power reserve and three inter- changeable straps/bracelet. The timepiece comes in two finishes – one with a blue bezel and dial and the other in black – both featuring an orange inner bezel ring.
This Defy Extreme Diver did not come out of nowhere, as Zenith is determined to remind us with a third model aptly released on the same day: the Defy Revival A3648. It can be regarded as a relative of the Extreme Diver. Launched in 1969 as one of Zenith’s first diver’s models, it sports a typical 1970s design that Zenith has respected to the letter, with a 37mm steel case and 4 o’clock crown. At the time, the timepiece already boasted a rare degree of water resistance to 600 meters, which has now been repeated. The new version is equipped with an in-house Elite 670 movement with 50h power reserve, the bezel insert is sapphire instead of Plexiglas and the caseback is sapphire crystal instead of solid.
This article is an excerpt from the upcoming GMT XXL Switzerland Magazine, debuting at Geneva Watch Days August 29th. Pre-order your copy here.
