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

A complete collection!

The DEFY Skyline constellation is finally complete. A natural extension of ZENITH's bold all-occasion line, the DEFY Skyline Chronograph offers a new skin for the latest version of the Manufacture's El Primero high-frequency automatic chronograph caliber, with 1/10th of a second indication.

Turning back to the heritage of the DEFY wristwatch collection, we note a long and enduring tradition since the early 1970s, the presence of El Primero chronographs. A modern take on a revolutionary caliber, the DEFY has always been perfectly suited to the El Primero automatic chronograph, whose high frequency ensures unfailing precision - even under intense activity. The DEFY Skyline Chronograph, itself predisposed to movement and performance in a wide range of situations, is the culmination of over 50 years of chronograph evolution to new heights. In essence, it's the DEFY chronograph of the 21st century - and it shows.

The model

Architectural, geometric and cleverly faceted, the DEFY Skyline's 42mm steel case is a modern interpretation of the octagonal case with multi-sided bezel of the first DEFY. It carries on the DNA of robustness and durability of its predecessors, while adopting a bolder, more contemporary aesthetic and proportions. On the DEFY Skyline Chronograph, the pushers follow the clearly defined lines of the case, while the screw-down crown, adorned with the emblematic star, ensures water resistance to 100 meters (10 ATM).

Available in metallic silver, the dial of the DEFY Skyline Chronograph combines the collection's signature starry sky motif of engraved four-pointed stars with the traditional El Primero configuration. Three slightly oversized counters overlap to display elapsed chronograph seconds and minutes, as well as the small seconds. Another El Primero signature, the date aperture - with disc matching the dial color - is positioned at 4:30. The rehaut with 1/10 second scale features twelve facets, like the dodecagonal bezel, and serves to complement the hour tour.

Technical point of view

In an increasingly fast-moving world, every fraction of a second counts. As in the DEFY Skyline automatic and its skeleton version, ZENITH offers tenths-of-a-second indication: in the DEFY Skyline Chronograph, this is done via a chronograph hand. This mechanical feat is powered by the high-frequency El Primero 3600 caliber, clocked at 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour) and visible through the caseback. The bi-directional winding oscillating weight, openworked in the shape of a star, efficiently ensures 60 hours of power reserve.

Among the highlights of the DEFY Skyline is the quick-change strap mechanism, integrated into the case, allowing easy replacement without the need for any tools.

At the touch of a button, the three-link steel bracelet can be replaced by the second supplied, a star-patterned rubber model with a steel folding clasp.