First Look: The new Zenith Defy Skyline Chronograph (incl. Video) (2024)

Introduced in 2021, the Defy Skyline is an important sub-collection within Zenith’s contemporary Defy series. Since its inception, the collection has flourished to encompass over 20 references spanning time and date, skeleton, and tourbillon-regulated models. These come in various sizes and are adorned with various colours, materials, and even precious stones. Despite its rich offerings, Zenith’s significant history in chronographsmade the absence of a chronograph-equipped Defy Skyline conspicuous. However, the brand has now addressed this gap by unveiling a trio of Defy Skyline Chronographs designed to captivate fans who appreciate the seamless blend of vintage influences and the ultra-modern design language of the collection.

The new Zenith Defy Skyline Chronograph boasts a faceted, octagonal 42mm stainless steel case featuring brushed and polished finishes with a signature dodecagonal bezel. The screw-in crown bears the star-shaped Zenith logo, and the rectangular, shaped chronograph pushers align with the overall design. The transparent caseback offers a glimpse into the intricate El Primero mechanics within. With 100m water-resistance, this timepiece marries style and functionality in equal measure.

Zenith unveils the new Defy Skyline Chronograph, offering dials in metallic black, blue, or silver. Each is embellished with the signature four-pointed stars engraving, creating a starry sky pattern. The familiar layout features slightly overlapping and recessed sub-dials adorned with a snailed finish. At 9 o’clock, the running seconds sub-dial resides, the 60-second counter occupies the 3 o’clock position, and the 60-minute counter sits at 6 o’clock.

The outer flange, boasting 12 facets, hosts the 1/10th of a second scale for the central chronograph hand, adorned with a star-shaped counterweight that completes a turn in 10 seconds. Distinctive red tips distinguish the chronograph hands, while the central hour and minute hands are ruthenium-plated, faceted, and coated with Super-LumiNova SLN C1 for enhanced visibility in low light. Positioned adjacent to the 1/10th of a second flange, the ruthenium-plated, faceted, and Super-LumiNova-coated indices contribute to excellent legibility. A date aperture at 4:30 showcases a date disc that harmonizes with the dial colour, complementing the timepiece’s aesthetic appeal.

The new Zenith Defy Skyline Chronograph is driven by the evolutionary El Primero calibre 3600 with a silicon escape wheel and lever, initially introduced in 2019. Featuring an optimized kinetic chain, this movement offers a remarkable 60-hour power reserve, while its stop-seconds mechanism enables precise time setting. Leveraging the 5Hz frequency of the El Primero, the timepiece showcases its capability to display 1/10th of a second with exceptional precision. The Calibre 3600, adorned with a star-shaped openworked rotor, is visible through the exhibition caseback; the movement is decorated to accentuate the technical and modern essence of the watch.

Designed to be worn with style and comfort, the Zenith Defy Skyline Chronograph comes with a stainless steel bracelet complemented by a star-patterned rubber strap featuring a steel folding buckle. A hallmark of the Defy Skyline series, an integrated quick strap-change mechanism allows for effortless versatility without needing any tools. With a simple button push, the three-link steel bracelet can be effortlessly replaced with the provided rubber strap with the steel folding buckle. The Zenith Defy Skyline Chronograph is priced at CHF 11,900 and available at all Zenith boutiques and authorized retailers.

For further details, please visit Zenith-Watches.com.