Just in time for European Summer, Zenith introduces the sportiest version yet of their DEFY Skyline Skeleton!
While Summer may be some time away for us here in Australia, it’s sunshine and warm days on the other side of the globe in Europe. As the days get longer and the temperature rises, Zenith is unveiling a new version of the DEFY Skyline Skeleton to fit this occasion. The model is presented in white ceramic for the first time ever, and at first glance, it has all the right ingredients to make it the ideal fun summer piece!
The modern Zenith DEFY is a reinterpretation of the DEFY wristwatch from 1969. The timepiece carries the same aesthetic characteristics, like the dodecagon-shaped bezel on top of the Tonnaue case. The modern DEFY range seamlessly combines both the past and present.
The DEFY Skyline skeleton takes the Zenith DEFY range and gives it a more contemporary artistic look. The base design of the DEFY Skyline Skeleton is that the whole dial is open-worked, which shows off the majority of the movement underneath. We do, however, get a 1/10th of a second running indicator at 6 o’clock, which has also been skeletonised. This indicator is with world first and only 1/10th of a second indicator that’s constantly running. The main feature of the skeleton framework is that it has been ingeniously shaped to represent the emblematic Zenith four-pointed star, giving the dial an artistic appearance with significance.
For this latest DEFY Skyline Skeleton, Zenith has given the timepiece a pristine white ceramic exterior, which is a first for this collection. The white ceramic case comes with alternating satin-brushed and polished surfaces, giving the timepiece shine even in the full white appearance.
This isn’t the first time Zenith has produced the DEFY Skyline Skeleton in ceramic. In the brand’s current collection, they already have a full black ceramic timepiece (including a bracelet), with the skeleton dial also being black. The white ceramic model, however, offers a more vibrant and colourful approach.
To perfectly complement the new white ceramic exterior, Zenith has given the timepiece an intense blue skeleton movement. This means that the skeleton framework on the dial is a beautiful, rich blue colour. The blue dial has been created so that its appearance constantly shifts with light to reveal different nuances of blue. Zenith has chosen to go with the colour blue as a reflection of the beautiful night sky. To make the hour indices and hands stand out against the blue, Zenith has given them the rhodium-plated treatment, which, combined with the white SuperLumi-Nova, stands out beautifully.
The movement sitting underneath the blue “four-pointed Zenith star” is the brand’s own El Primero 3620 Sk automatic movement. This movement beats at an exceptionally high frequency of 36,000 VpH (5hz), providing a very high accuracy on the timepiece for its 1/10th of a second constant running indicator. The power reserve isn’t greatly comprised either, as it is able to produce approximately 55 hours of power. The movement has also been given Zenith’s signature blue treatment so that we have a uniform colour appearance on the dial.
The brand is offering this white ceramic Zenith DEFY Skyline Skeleton in either a full ceramic bracelet or a bright white patterned rubber strap, which matches the ceramic case perfectly. Thanks to Zenith’s quick strap-change mechanism, you can change between either strap option depending on the occasion!
Final Thoughts
Personally, I really like this latest release from Zenith. I’m a big fan of the blue and white colour combination, and I think Zenith has absolutely nailed it here. Unlike the all-black ceramic version of this model, the blue skeleton frame that makes up Zenith’s signature “four-pointed star” is quite noticeable, even with the blue background of the El Primero 3620 SK movement. While the signature blue colour of Zenith represents the night sky in which the star is seen, the use of blue against white also reminds me of Mediterranean beaches and of fun summer times, which is exactly what this timepiece is aesthetically catered for.
Another detail of the timepiece I’m a fan of is the contract of the hour indices and hands to the skeleton background. One gripe I have with skeletonised timepieces is that if the hour hands and indices are not coloured or done properly, they can blend in too much with the skeletonised background. You want the time to be easily readable at first glance. For this timepiece, having the minute track in blue makes certain that reading the time is easy, thanks to the beautiful sharp contrast of blue against white.
The White Ceramic DEFY Skyline Skeleton is not a limited edition model; however, Zenith will produce the timepiece in small quantities. The timepiece can be purchased from all Zenith physical and online boutiques along with authorised retailers around the world.
Reference: 49.9301.3620/79.I001
Specifications:
- Case Size: 41mm case diameter
- Case Material: White Ceramic
- Dial: Zenith signature blue colour on “four-pointed” skeleton dial
- Movement: Automatic In-house El Primero 3620 SK
- Movement Frequency: 5Hz (36,000 VpH)
- Movement: Power Reserve: Approx. 55 hours
- Water Resistance: 100m (10bar)
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Strap/Bracelet: White ceramic bracelet and folding clasp. Comes with a white rubber strap with a starry sky pattern and a folding clasp.
