Since the creation of the El Primero in 1969, the world’s first automatic chronograph calibre, Zenith has gone on to master high-frequency precision and offers time measurements in fractions of a second, including 1/10th of a second and 1/100th of a second. This year, the brand is offering its new El Primero 3652 automatic in a Pilot Big Date Flyback, the El Primero 3620 in the Pilot Automatic, Defy Skyline Skeleton, and Defy Skyline Black Ceramic editions, while the Defy Revival Shadow houses the automatic Elite 670 movement
Pilot Big Date Flyback
The Pilot Big Date Flyback comes in two distinct versions, both in a 42.5mm case. In the stainless-steel version, the chronograph’s minutes totaliser is done in alternating colours to easily distinguish between the five-minute marks. The central chronograph seconds and the chronograph minutes hands are a bright orange tone. The black ceramic version takes on an achromatic, utilitarian look with luminescent white markers and hands contrasting boldly against the opaline black corrugated dial.
The new El Primero 3652 automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre integrates two functions to the 5Hz chronograph: the big date and the flyback function. Beyond its easy readability, the oversized date display features a next-gen patented compliant mechanism that advances and stabilises both of the big date’s wheels in less than 0.03 seconds. The flyback function allows the chronograph function to be reset to zero and restarted by a single push of a button. The El Primero chronograph calibre with its “artificial horizon” rotor is visible through the display back. The ceramic edition is delivered with two cordura-effect rubber straps: black and khaki, while the steel comes with a black cordura-effect rubber strap and a brown leather strap – all with an integrated quick-release mechanism for easy swapping without tools.
Pilot Automatic
Crafted in a 40mm case in either stainless steel or black ceramic, the Pilot Automatic features a new case design with a distinct flat-top round bezel fixed on top of the rounded case. In the steel version, the surfaces are vertically satin-brushed with polished chamfers, while the black ceramic version is entirely microblasted for a stealthy matte finish. The oversized crown takes on a more modern, angular form, while remaining easy to operate – even with gloves on. The black opaline dial, with its horizontal grooves, mimics the look of corrugated metal sheets that make up the fuselage of many older aircrafts. The oversized luminescent Arabic numerals take on a more modern font and are applied as metal markers filled with white Super-LumiNova. At 6 o’clock above the date window, the luminescent hour marker takes the form of a flat white line. The dial is signed “Pilot”, as Zenith remains the only brand to hold the rights to mark its dials with the term.
Visible through the sapphire display back, the watch is powered by the El Primero 3620 high-frequency manufacture movement, with a power reserve of 60 hours. The winding mechanism’s open and blackened oscillating weight recall the “artificial horizon” dashboard instrument. Both models are delivered on a stealthy black cordura-effect rubber strap with a newly designed folding clasp, with an additional khaki cordura-effect rubber strap for the ceramic model and a brown calfskin leather for the steel one.
Defy Revival Shadow
In contrast to the Defy’s signature angular steel case, with its brightly polished and satin-brushed surfaces, the Defy Revival Shadow has a decidedly muted and monolithic look. Crafted in titanium, the highly angular Defy Revival case with its fourteen-sided bezel is entirely microblasted for a matte finish, revealing the dark grey tone of titanium and enhancing the geometry of the singular and instantly recognisable case. In a first for Zenith and its iconic “ladder” bracelet, originally conceived by the famed Gay Frères company exclusively for the brand in 1969, the links and clasp are crafted in titanium, finished with the same matte texture as the case, and is fitted on an updated folding clasp with a more ergonomic and streamlined feel.
The Defy Revival Shadow’s dial is matte black with a distinctly vintage look. The hands, filled with a cream-coloured Super-LumiNova pigment, as well as the applied square hour markers with horizontal grooves are polished and finished in rhodium for optimum legibility. Visible through the sapphire display back, which does not compromise the case’s impressive water-resistance of 30 ATM (300 metres), the automatic Elite 670 manufacture movement operates at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 VpH) with a power reserve of 50 hours.
DEFY SKYLINE
Defy Skyline Skeleton
Defy Skyline Black Ceramic
The Defy Skyline and Defy Skyline Skeleton now take on alluring blacked-out look with two new references crafted entirely in black ceramic – including the bracelet. Much harder than traditional metals and alloys like stainless steel, ceramic boasts many properties. Its extreme hardness makes ceramic highly resistant to scratches and visible wear. Unlike blackened metal elements that are simply plated, the ceramic itself is black and will never wear off. Even the integrated bracelet that follows the contours of the case is crafted in black ceramic. An additional black patterned rubber strap with a blackened steel folding clasp that is provided can be easily switched with a quick strap-change mechanism integrated directly in the case back.
The Defy Skyline Ceramic features a black galvanic dial with a sunray finish, shimmering as the light hits its surface. The entire dial features a geometric pattern, consisting of the Zenith four-pointed stars that historically featured prominently on the case backs of vintage Defy references as a “double Z”. Evoking the starry night sky, the blackened star-shapes sunken into the dial feature sharp inward facets, with different angles catching light.
For the Defy Skyline Skeleton Ceramic, the open dial features a blackened large central four-pointed star element, revealing the skeleton movement with black bridges and main plate. An exceptional feat, the Manufacture’s engineers successfully incorporated the shape of the open dial into the skeletonisation of the movement’s bridges and main plate, forming an integral whole. With its subtle contrast of dark tones, the visual depth is further enhanced in this unique skeleton watch with a 1/10th of a second indicator. Both the Defy Skyline Ceramic and Defy Skyline Skeleton Ceramic feature faceted polished hands and applied indices filled with white Super-LumiNova for effortless readability – day and night.
Both references are powered by the El Primero 3620 automatic high-frequency manufacture movement, beating at the rate of 5Hz (36,000 VpH), providing a 1/10th of a second indicator directly driven by the escapement. Its efficient automatic bi-directional winding mechanism with a blackened star-shaped rotor delivers a power reserve of approximately 60 hours.
