Zenith Defy Skyline Tourbillon El-Primero Ceramic automatic black dial ceramic bracelet 41 mm

Creating the future of watchmaking

With the return of the DEFY collection in 2017, the star-spangled brand never ceases in its never-ending pursuit of precision through innovation. Indeed, this collection represents Zenith's creative "laboratory", combining cutting-edge Manufacture movements with futuristic shapes and materials, perpetuating Zenith's heritage, always surpassing itself and setting new standards of performance and elegance. For 2024, the Manufacture is enhancing Defy Skyline, the sport-chic watch range launched in 2022 that explodes everything in its path!

A new star is born in the DEFY Skyline constellation at the start of this year. Manufacture ZENITH is housing a new high-frequency automatic tourbillon caliber in the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon, which it is presenting in two versions, steel and black ceramic.

Why a tourbillon?

The tourbillon has long represented the pinnacle of fine watchmaking; it testifies to the technical prowess of the manufactures and the skill of the watchmakers who bring these mechanical marvels to life. ZENITH offers a personalized modern interpretation of the tourbillon, conceived at the end of the 18th century to counter the effects of gravity on watch precision. The Manufacture demonstrates its unrivalled mastery of high frequency through multiple types of movements or functions and via the bold design of the DEFY collection - all in an execution suited to all everyday situations.

The black ceramic model

The shape of a DEFY Skyline is instantly recognizable thanks to its angular geometry, signature 12-sided bezel and angular case with polished/satin-finished surfaces. Still inspired by the A3642 model released in 1969, which at the time had given the brand a new lease of life by bringing substantial technical improvements particularly in relation to the watches of the time, this model laid the foundations for what was to become the sport-chic watches of the 1970s.

This model thus retains the highly geometric faceted case, 41 mm in diameter, on a matching black ceramic bracelet. But now it combines the bold architectural design of the DEFY Skyline with the mechanical animation of a tourbillon. Like the center of a galaxy around which numerous constellations are scattered, the DEFY Skyline's central kinetic element appears in the opening at the bottom of the dial.

The metallic sunray dial adorned with engraved stars, the signature of the DEFY Skyline, has been specifically adapted to the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon, to highlight the high-frequency tourbillon. A mosaic of engraved four-pointed stars radiates from the tourbillon out to the perimeter, while luminescent applique hands and indexes and rose gold-plated markers add a warm, elegant, celestial glow to the sunray patterned black dial. A star-shaped tourbillon appears in the openworked cage, reminding you to follow your star at every moment.

As for the bracelet, this one sets an example for sports watches with integrated straps! It features a pretty drop and a very nice polished-brushed finish, while also incorporating an ingenious strap quick-change system, making it easy to switch to the blue rubber strap supplied with this model.

Another appreciable detail, the case's 10 ATM (100-meter) water resistance has been retained for this version, reinforcing the piece's suitability for all conditions.

A high-frequency tourbillon caliber!

Zenith has chosen to equip this DEFY Skyline with an El Primero caliber in a novel two-hand tourbillon version! In fact, this reference is powered by an El Primero 3630, using the same architecture as the caliber 3620 used in the Defy Skyline Seconde Foudroyante range.

Fixed to a golden mirror-polished bridge, the tourbillon cage takes the form of an openworked four-pointed star, with the futuristic lines that characterize DEFY tourbillon references. The tourbillon rotates continuously around its axis, making one revolution every 60 seconds. Ensuring infallible performance and precision, the escapement beats at the high frequency of 5 Hz, a rare occurrence in the world of tourbillons! It's also worth noting that the Manufacture has optimized the exceptional performance of its caliber to the maximum, as the El Primero 3630 features a lightweight (0.25 g) openworked tourbillon cage, allowing friction to be kept to a minimum.

But this new caliber isn't just ultra-technical, it's also beautifully crafted! Indeed, echoing the decoration emanating from the tourbillon on the dial side, the côtes de Genève on the bridges are arranged in rays that seem to spring from the tourbillon. The openworked star-shaped rotor offers an unobstructed view of the movement's contemporary architecture.

To conclude, Zenith once again proves that this manufacture is unique and different. Its star, a symbol of its desire to reach the highest summits, is once again demonstrated to us by its remarkable mastery of high frequency!