Zenith Defy Extreme Diver El-Primero automatic black dial titanium bracelet 42,5 mm

The collection

Since its launch in 1969, the ZENITH DEFY line of wristwatches has represented reliability and rugged sturdiness. Over the years, numerous versions have featured designs and features created for specific purposes. The collection that has gone from the highest peaks to the wildest lands returns to the very deep: ZENITH presents the new DEFY Extreme Diver as well as a remake of one of its most sought-after vintage diver's watches, the DEFY Revival A3648.

The origins of the diver's watch at Zenith

With origins dating back to 1969, the DEFY Diver was one of the first DEFY wristwatches. While retaining the collection's distinctive angular case and signature dodecagonal bezel, ZENITH integrated all the elements necessary for a diver's watch, including a rotating bezel and brightly colored keys for perfect underwater legibility. Today, ZENITH presents a modern diver's watch designed in the original spirit - combining form and function for a specific purpose - inspired by the historical references of the DEFY Diver as much as by the most contemporary interpretations of the DEFY line. The result is a feature-rich diver's watch, clearly a ZENITH DEFY, built to withstand the extreme conditions encountered in the harshest environments, where ice, fog and very dark waters demand enhanced performance and legibility.

The Defy Extreme Diver model

Although inspired by a long line of DEFY Diver models dating back to 1969, the DEFY Extreme Diver couldn't be more modern. It boasts a singular, highly sophisticated design that enhances its performance in depth: designed to tackle extreme conditions in which ice, water and fog present a multitude of challenges. Its angular 42.5 mm case is made of titanium, a metal that not only boasts an appreciable strength-to-weight ratio, but also proves highly resistant to corrosion caused by salty seawater. The case features a helium valve for saturation diving. Above the fixed dodecagonal bezel, the unidirectional ceramic rotating bezel features grooved edges for better grip - even when wearing gloves. The engraved bezel is filled with Super-LumiNova and bright colors to make it easy to read underwater, where light is scarce.

The oversized screw-down crown is secured on both sides by titanium crown protectors. Like the 1969 DEFY A3648, the DEFY Extreme Diver is water-resistant to 600 meters (60 ATM), which corresponds to 1,969 feet - a symbolic number for the DEFY Diver. It meets the requirements of the ISO 6425 standard for professional diving watches, which includes ISO 764 for protection against magnetism and ISO 1413 for shock resistance, making it a highly accomplished diving watch suitable for the most demanding situations.

A signature feature of the contemporary DEFY line, the dial features a geometric pattern of engraved four-pointed stars. This version features a black dial with a sunray finish, whose rays emanate from the ZENITH star applied at 12 o'clock. The date disc at 3 o'clock matches the dial color.

Legibility is a key factor in the DEFY Extreme Diver - and it shows. The oversized hands and hour appliques contain three different Super-LumiNova grade X1 pigments, with blue, green or orange light emissions, making it easy to distinguish the hours, minutes and seconds functions. The bright orange accents nod to the historic DEFY Diver models, which date back to a time when bright orange was thought to be the most legible color underwater.

Technical side

The DEFY Extreme Diver is powered by the El Primero 3620-SC high-frequency automatic manufacture caliber with 60-hour power reserve, visible through a sapphire crystal caseback - an uncommon feature in diver's watches. This El Primero version incorporates an antimagnetic escapement, with non-metallic silicon main components.

The DEFY Extreme Diver presented on a three-link titanium bracelet is supplied with two additional straps. The first strap is made of FKM rubber to match the dial color, with a Cordura-like texture and holes on the side to allow water to run off. In line with ZENITH's HORIZ-ON initiative to reduce the brand's environmental impact and produce more sustainably, the DEFY Extreme Diver also comes with an extra-long strap made from recycled fishing nets, designed to be worn over a wetsuit. It features specific ends that allow the bracelet to be passed in one piece under the case to secure it.