Zenith offers a spectrum of DEFYs

This year, Zenith is shining its spotlight on the DEFY collection. At the forefront is the new DEFY Skyline that reinterprets elements from the 1969 DEFY A3642 in a contemporary context and packed with the performance of the manufacture’s latest generation of the El Primero movement. Other DEFY models include the Extreme Carbon, 21 Chroma, as well as the Midnight Sunset and Midnight Borealis for the ladies

DEFY Skyline

Its architectural and highly faceted silhouette 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. It retains the same DNA of robustness and durability as its predecessors while bringing an edgier aesthetic. 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 echo the hour markers. The screw-down crown emblazoned with the star emblem provides a water-resistance of 10 ATM.

Recalling the seemingly still night sky above a bustling city that never sleeps, the DEFY Skyline features a geometrically structured and whimsically celestial star-studded dial, with a sunburst finish embellished with a perfectly aligned pattern consisting of engraved four-pointed stars, a modern reimagining of the Zenith “double Z” logo of the 1960s.

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 has a visually captivating animation rarely ever seen on a wristwatch. On the small counter at 9 o’clock, a constantly running 1/10th of a second hand makes steady jumps in fixed increments, reminding the wearer of the fleeting nature of time and the precision of the 5Hz movement within and completing a full revolution every 10 seconds.

This exceptional performance is delivered by the new El Primero 3620 calibre. Built with a similar architecture as the El Primero 3600 1/10th of a second chronograph, this automatic manufacture movement visible through the sapphire display back drives the 1/10th of a second hand directly from the escapement, which beats at 5Hz. It is also endowed with a stop-second mechanism for precise time-setting. The efficient automatic winding mechanism with bi-directional rotor with a star motif delivers a power reserve of approximately 60 hours.

The DEFY Skyline is delivered on a steel bracelet with a satin-brushed surface with chamfered and polished edges. A colour-coordinated rubber strap with a starry sky pattern in continuity with the dial is also provided with a steel folding clasp and can be easily swapped

DEFY Extreme Carbon

Now, the DEFY Extreme arrives in a resolutely sporty carbon fibre execution inspired by the EXTREME E – the world’s first off-road electric rally racing championship, of which Zenith is the Official Timekeeper and Founding Partner.

Visually striking and astonishingly light, the case as well as the pushers and crown are made of highly durable layered carbon fibre. Highlighting the audaciously angular geometry of the case, the pusher protectors as well as the twelve-sided bezel are made in micro-blasted titanium.

Within the monolithic case, the open multi-layered dial features a mix of racy colours inspired by the EXTREME E’s “X Prix” colour schemes adapted for each race. The 1/100th of a second chronograph scale features bright yellow markers, while the tinted sapphire crystal dial’s chronograph counters are in bright blue, green and white, with matching-coloured small hands.

Partially visible through the dial as well as the case back is the fastest automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre, offering1/100th of a second time measurements, with two escapements beating at 5Hz (36,000 VpH) for the timekeeping part and 50Hz (360,000 VpH) for the chronograph.

The DEFY Extreme is delivered with three straps that are easily interchangeable without requiring any tools, simply by using the case back’s ingenious and intuitive quick strap-change mechanism. These are a black textured rubber strap with a micro-blasted titanium folding buckle, a red textured rubber strap and a black Velcro strap with a carbon fibre buckle.

DEFY 21 Chroma

The new DEFY 21 Chroma’s matte-finished white ceramic case gives way to a refracted rainbow spread evenly across the open dial and movement, in a perfectly transitioning gradient of colours spanning the entire spectrum. The red painted marker at 12 o’clock shifts through orange, yellow, green, blue, violet and pink in a clockwise manner. The meticulously applied colours on the markers and 1/100 of a second scale extend beyond the dial and out of the case, with the crown’s rubber grip ring as well as the white cordura-effect rubber strap’s stitching following the colour arrangement of the dial. This also extends to the chronograph counter hands, each tipped in a different tone.

The open dial features raised white chronograph counters matching the case, beneath which the extraordinarily decorated movement shines through. Each bridge is finished in a different metallic colour, again following the gradient of the dial’s markers. Visible through the dial as well as the sapphire case back, one can admire the singular El Primero 21 automatic high-frequency 1/100th of a second chronograph that’s at the peak of performance and precision, featuring two independent regulating organs and gear trains for the timekeeping and chronograph functions, operating at frequencies of 5Hz (36,000 VpH) and 50Hz (360,000 VpH), respectively.

DEFY 21 Chroma is limited to 200 pieces and available at Zenith boutiques and authorised retailers around the world.

DEFY Midnight Sunset
DEFY Midnight Borealis

The DEFY Midnight was launched in 2020 as the first Zenith DEFY collection tailored exclusively for women. Uniquely positioned as a versatile sporty-chic timepiece with a distinctly cosmic design, the DEFY Midnight was conceived with free-spirited, dream-chasing women in mind. Now, the collection welcomes two new additions inspired by a central element in Zenith lore – the starry night sky – and some of its ephemeral yet endlessly captivating phenomenon: the DEFY Midnight Sunset and DEFY Midnight Borealis.

Housed in a 36mm stainless steel case embellished with brilliant cut white diamonds on the bezel, these two vibrant versions reinterpret traditional craftsmanship in new and unprecedented forms. Endowed with guilloché engraved dials with a radiant wave pattern, the DEFY Midnight Sunset seamlessly transitions from warm red to a deep yellow tone in a perfect gradient of colours that recalls the brief but breath-taking sky as the sun casts its last rays of light before giving way to night.

The DEFY Midnight Borealis evokes the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights phenomenon witnessed around the Arctic Circle, featuring a midnight blue dial that gradually shifts to a bright emerald green towards the bottom. In both models, white diamonds are applied on every hour marker, except at 3 o’clock where the date window is placed.

One of the features that makes the DEFY Midnight so versatile and easily adaptable to any situation and outfit is its quick strap-change mechanism. Besides the steel bracelet and supplied straps, DEFY Midnight owners can now shop an exclusive collection of sustainably made straps with a high-fashion edge, made in partnership with Nona Source, a start-up incubated by LVMH that uses deadstock fabrics from the group’s most prestigious Fashion and Leather Goods Maisons that are upcycled and transformed into handmade haute couture straps for those special occasions that call for something lavishly exceptional, offered in a wide array of textiles and colours.