Zenith: DEFY Skyline

Since the earliest days of the DEFY collection, Zenith has sought to make its mark with sturdy and singularly designed timekeepers that would accompany their wearers throughout whatever life journey they chose to embark on. The story began in 1902 with the original “DEFI” line of rugged and precise pocket-watches, which later inspired Zenith to keep the same audacious spirit alive in a line of wristwatches in 1969 named DEFY. It exuded an affirmed and resolutely modern aesthetic that complemented its hardy construction and reliable performance , earning it the nickname of coffre-fort, French for vault of safe. Today, in an ever-fast-moving world where every fraction of a second can be a decisive one, Zenith presents the new DEFY Skyline.

Recalling the seemingly still night sky above a bustling city that never sleeps, the DEFY Skyline is dedicated to those who follow their light and forge their own path on their journey towards their star. At once geometrically structured, the star-studded dial with a sunburst finish is embellished with a perfectly aligned pattern consisting of engraved four-pointed stars, which are in fact a modern reimagining of the Zenith “double Z” logo of the 1960s. A central element in Zenith’s story that can be traced back to the very beginning, the night sky was a major source of inspiration for the Manufacture’s visionary founder Georges-Favre Jacot, who fulfilled his dream of creating the most precise watch of the time and decided to name his manufacture after the highest point in the night sky. 

Audaciously bold in its silhouette yet inherently familiar within Zenith’s repertoire, the DEFY Skyline draws inspiration from the unique octagonal geometry of the early DEFY models including the recently revived Defy A3642 without attempting to merely recreate the past. Outstanding in its angular form, the DEFY Skyline retains the same DNA of robustness and durability as its predecessors while bringing an edgier and more architectural aesthetic, as well as a host of new functions. Fixed atop the 41mm stainless steel case with sharply defined edges, the faceted bezel is similar to those from early DEFY models, reimagined with twelve sides that are positioned to echo the hour markers. With an emphasis on performance in the largest possible range of activities and situations, the screw-down crown emblazoned with the star emblem provides a water-resistance of 10 ATM.

Besides the central hour and minute hands and a date window at 3 o’clock finished in the same colour as the dial, the DEFY Skyline brings something new to the table. On the small counter at 9 o’clock, a constantly running 1/10^thof a second hand makes steady jumps in fixed increments, completing one revolution every 10 seconds.

This exceptional performance is delivered by the new El Primero 3620. Built with a similar architecture as the El Primero 3600 1/10^th of a second chronograph, this automatic manufacture movement visible through the sapphire display back drives the 1/10^th of a second hand directly from the escapement., which beats at 5Hz (36’000 VpH), thus making it a “natural” fraction-of-a-second indication. It is also endowed with a stop-second mechanism for precise time-setting. Efficient in its performance, the automatic winding mechanism with bi-directional rotor with a star motif delivers a power reserve of approximately 60 hours. 

The watch is combined with a satin-brushed steel bracelet that can be easily changed with the rubber strap (supplied with the bracelet) thanks to the new quick release system using two buttons located on the back. The new Zenith DEFY Skyline is immediately available in three versions, with blue, black and silver dial, in all Zenith boutiques and authorized dealers for the price of €. 8,300.