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LVMH Watch Week 2023: Zenith’s Defy Skyline models hit new highs

Several new additions have been made to the young Zenith Defy Skyline collection, as seen at LVMH Watch Week 2023. Plus, there's a new Defy Extreme.
For Zenith, the Defy Skyline collection, a sub-line within the Defy universe, sits at the crossroads of contemporary urban sophistication while having its roots in a retro design. The luxury sports watch that was launched last year at LVMH Watch Week draws inspiration from the octagonal case of the 1969 Defy model, while its 12-sided bezel is perfectly positioned to match 12 hour markers. It was unveiled last year as a three-hand time and date watch, powered by the El Primero 3620 high-frequency automatic manufacture movement with the 1/10th of a second indicator (at 9 o’clock on the dial). Now, at LVMH Watch Week 2023, the brand has launched skeletonised versions, a new size, and a boutique edition in the Zenith Defy Skyline collection

Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton

Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton

Positioned as the world’s first watch skeleton featuring the El Primero 1/10 of a second indicator, the 41mm steel Defy Skyline Skeleton boasts a four-point star on its dial, different from the five-point one of the Defy Classic line and is designed in a way that allows for the El Primero movement to be seen in action; the star is also inspired by the brand’s ‘double Z’ logo from the 1960s. In either black or blue – the hue extends to the mainplate and bridges of the movement as well - the dial also sees the 1/10th of a seconds counter at 6 o’clock. The matte, satin-brushed, and polished surfaces of the movement help in giving the movement depth. Ref. 03.9300.3620/79.I001 features a blue dial, while Ref. 03.9300.3620/78.I001 has a black dial. From the chapter ring extend the hour markers that are filled with Super-LumiNova, which is seen on the hands as well. The bezel and case feature brushed finishes. 


Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton

Turn the watch over and the same satinated finish of the hue can be seen on the star-shaped bi-directional oscillating weight of the movement, the El Primero 3620 SK beating at 5Hz (36,000 vph) - the watch has a power reserve of approximately 60 hours. With a screwdown crown featuring a star logo, the watch comes with a water resistance of 100 metres. The case is flanked by a steel bracelet with a satin-brushed surface with chamfered and polished edges, and thanks to the quick strap-change mechanism can also sport a black or blue rubber strap with a starry sky pattern. 

Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton

Defy Skyline 36mm
The Defy Skyline launched last year showcased three models in 41mm. Now, to provide options to those with slimmer wrists is the Defy Skyline in 36mm, in three dial colours, and in bejewelled and non-bejewelled versions. There is the blue, similar to the one unveiled last year – it is joined by dial colours in pastel green and pink. The colours have been achieved thanks to a metallic base that has been polished and then satin-brushed. The dial is then engraved with the four-pointed star. 


Aesthetics-wise, the watches are similar to the 41mm, with a steel octogonal case and a 12-sided bezel, which can also be studded with brilliant-cut white diamonds. The chapter ring is raised and sloped, and the date window rests at 3 o’clock, while the small seconds is at 9 o'clock. The watch is water resistant to 100 meters thanks to a screw-down crown, and the bracelet can be changed to a starry sky-patterned rubber strap in colours matching the dial that is offered with the watch.  The watches are powered by the Elite 670 in-house automatic movement, which delivers approximately 50 hours of power reserve. 

Defy Skyline Boutique Edition (Ref. 03.9300.3620/02.I001)

Defy Skyline Boutique Edition

The brand has also taken the opportunity to unveil a boutique exclusive edition, available online and in stores at Zenith, at LVMH Watch Week 2023. The Defy Skyline Boutique Edition is a 41mm steel watch with an anthracite dial that is engraved with rose-gold plated four-point stars. In line with the models released last year, the watch is powered by the El Primero 3620 high-frequency automatic manufacture movement with the 1/10th of a second indicator (at 9 o’clock on the dial), which gives it a power reserve of approximately 60 hours. The watch comes with an additional black rubber strap with a starry sky pattern. 


Defy Extreme Glacier (Ref. 95.9201.9004/25.I001)

Defy Extreme Glacier

Last year had seen the launch of the Defy Extreme Desert, a first in a series of pieces that highlight ruggedness and natural stones, an idea that complements the movement that powers these watches – the El Primero 9004 with its 1/100th of a second automatic chrono movement. Now, furthering that series is the 45mm skeleton Defy Extreme Glacier, which is inspired by frozen, barren landscapes. This theme has been represented in the titanium watch via chalcedony, a crystalline semi-translucent stone in pale blue that has been used to protect the pushers and bezel. The pattern of different colours and fibrous textures on the stone ensures that each piece becomes unique. The theme is furthered by the chronograph counters that are made in transparent sapphire crystal and given a frosted finish.  

The watch is powered by the El Primero 9004 movement which has two regulating organs – one beating at 5Hz for timekeeping, and the other at 50Hz for the chronograph. The small seconds rests at 9 o’clock, the 30-minute counter at 3, and 60 second counter at 6 o’clock; the power reserve indicator (approx 60 hours) is at 12. The central seconds hand completes a rotation each second. The hour markers and hands are rhodium plated, faceted, and coated with Super-LumiNova. 

As with all the watches, this one too comes with interchangeable straps – the brand is offering one in white leather and one in velcro additionally. The watch, only available online and in-stores at Zenith, is limited to 50 pieces.

Images: Courtesy brand
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