Zenith Defy Skyline El-Primero automatic watch black dial steel bracelet 41 mm

Creating the future of watchmaking

With the return of the DEFY collection in 2017, the brand with the star continues to be in the endless pursuit of precision through innovation. Indeed, this collection represents Zenith's creative "laboratory", combining state-of-the-art Manufacture movements with futuristic shapes and materials, perpetuating Zenith's heritage, always surpassing itself and setting new standards of performance and elegance. And this new DEFY Skyline is no exception: new calibre, new design, this contemporary series of the DEFY brings a new way of conceiving a three-hand sports watch.

Une inspiration seventies

The shape of a DEFY is immediately recognisable thanks to its multi-faceted steel bezel, its angular case and its polished/satinised surfaces. Inspired by the A3642 model released in 1969, which gave a boost to the brand by bringing substantial technical improvements compared to the watches of the time, this model laid the foundations of what would be the sport-chic watches of the 1970s. With a bold yet familiar silhouette to the Zenith repertoire, the DEFY Skyline is inspired by the unique octagonal dial shape of the early DEFY models, but does not simply recreate the past. It is housed in a 41 mm octagonal steel case with a 12-faceted bezel. Its black metallic dial features a sunray finish and an engraved four-pointed star logo, a modern re-imagining of the 1969 Zenith "Double Z" logo. The date window at three o'clock matches the colour of the dial, for a harmonious integration of the complication. The strap is an example for sports watches with an integrated bracelet! It has a nice drop and a very nice brushed-polished finish, while also integrating an ingenious quick strap change system, allowing to easily switch to the black rubber strap provided with this model.

An exceptional calibre with remarkable precision

Zenith has chosen to equip this Defy Skyline with an El Primero caliber in a new three-hand version! Indeed, this reference is driven by an El Primero 3620, using the architecture of the 3600 calibre used in the Chronomaster Sport range, on which the Swiss Manufacture has reworked a new gear train. Thus, this calibre beats at a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour, has a bidirectional automatic winding mechanism and a 60-hour power reserve. As you will have noticed, a constantly moving tenths of a second hand makes regular jumps at set intervals and completes one revolution every ten seconds, reminding its owner of the fleeting nature of time. This hand is directly driven by the silicon escape wheel. To conclude, Zenith proves once again that this manufacture is unique and different. Its star, symbol of its desire to reach the highest summits, is once again demonstrated to us by its remarkable mastery of high frequency!