ReviewLess Is More: Introducing the New Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton
Reimagining the modern skeleton watch is the new Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton, equipped with an El Primero calibre and boasting a uniquely symmetrical open-worked dial
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Zenith made a remarkable entry into the year 2023 with the unveiling of an assortment of new additions to the Defy collection. This year at the LVMH Watch Week 2023, along with other maisons from the LVMH Group—including Bulgari, Hublot, and TAG Heuer—Zenith brought the spotlight on its popular and wholesome Defy collection. This includes the Defy Skyline Skeleton watch, a new mid-sized, 36mm Defy Skyline in three dial colours, a 41mm Defy Skyline Boutique Edition and finally the sporty and rugged DEFY Extreme Glacier. Here’s a closer look at the intricate details of the new Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton watch.
Defy: Defined
A year ago, Zenith introduced the world to its ultimate luxury sports watch collection—the Zenith Defy Skyline collection. This definitive line included a variety of timepieces personifying the brand’s DNA of offering a strong visual identity, a unique movement working within, and exceptional technical innovation. “In just one year, the Defy Skyline has become one of the most in-demand lines for ZENITH. Its strong visual identity, unique movement and effortless versatility have made it a compelling choice within the segment of integrated steel sport watches. It’s a purely modern creation that’s full of details that carry on the enduring legacy of the Defy collection that goes back to 1969,” Zenith’s CEO Julien Tornare stated on the evolution of the Defy collection. “This year, the collection is growing with a new skeleton version featuring a bold and futuristic design, as well as a mid-size version of the Defy Skyline in 36mm with some vibrant dial colours. We’re really excited to witness the completion of the DEFY collection with these dynamic new references.”
The Defy Skyline Skeleton And 1/10th Of A Second
The Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton watch unveiled at the 2023 LVMH Watch Week takes the brand’s offerings of luxury sport watches with integrated bracelets to new heights. Powered by an El Primero high-frequency movement, this timepiece marks the first skeletonised watch in the world to feature a 1/10th-of-a-second indication. Beautifully structured with a combination of polished and brushed surfaces, the 41mm steel case takes design cues from modern cityscapes where structures and light are bound in a constant moving interplay. Easy to wear with a total thickness of 11.6mm and offering better fit with a lug-to-lug measurement of 46.3mm, the Defy Skyline Skeleton ensures modernity in every aspect. The logo-stamped crown at three o’clock provides access to the movement and helps with the 100m of water resistance when screwed down.
The Symmetrical Skeleton
The watch comes in a black or blue open-worked dial, which is the star of the watch, both literally and figuratively. The symmetrical skeleton dial takes on the form of a four-pointed star pattern with enough space between each point to offer the wearer a wonderful view of the movement working within. This retro addition to the dial is inspired by the Zenith ‘double Z’ logo of the 1960s. Adding more efficiency and aesthetic symmetry to the dial is the presence of Super-LumiNova-filled baton-shaped hour markers and central hour and minute hands along with a constantly-running 1/10th-of-a-second counter at six o’clock.
What Works Within
Under the immaculately designed skeleton dial sits the high-beat El Primero 3620 SK movement with a beat rate of 36,000vph. Built on a similar structure like the iconic El Primero 3600 1/10th-of-a-second chronograph, this automatic manufacture movement has an escape wheel and lever made from silicon for magnetic resistance. The efficient automatic bidirectional winding mechanism with a start-shaped rotor matches the colour of the dial. It clocks in a power reserve of 60 hours and is visible via the see-through caseback and the skeleton dial.
Interchangeable Strap-Bracelet
The Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton comes with an easy-to-operate interchangeable strap system with three strap options. These include a stainless steel bracelet along with a rubber strap in blue or black. The interchangeable strap system allows the wearer to remove the strap via a pusher on the caseback and snap the replacement in an instant. The steel bracelet and rubber straps are embossed with Zenith stars in the centre and folding buckles.
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