THE DEFY UNIVERSE EXPANDS
ZENITH shines a spotlight on the DEFY collection at the 2026 LVMH Watch Week in Milan, unveiling six timepieces that enrich their urban identity. Rooted in the Manufacture’s heritage yet inspired by modern cities, the DEFY collection represents the intersection of precision watchmaking and contemporary design. With structural silhouettes, innovative materials, and cutting-edge movements, the watch becomes a metaphor for the city, balancing style and function, space and time.
DEFY SKYLINE CHRONOGRAPH
The DEFY Skyline Chronograph represents the ultimate feat of high-frequency performance and bold design. First presented in ceramic in 2025 for the Manufacture’s 160th anniversary, ZENITH now unveils a version in black ceramic, amplifying the sharp geometry and urban elegance of the timepiece.
Durable and lightweight with a deep black tone, ceramic enhances the architectural contours of the case, reinforcing the imposing, modern aesthetic of the DEFY Skyline Chronograph. The gradient grey dial engraved with the collection’s signature starry-sky pattern features three chronograph counters, including a 1/10th of a second display, powered by the El Primero 3600 automatic calibre.
DEFY SKYLINE SKELETON
With bold, open-worked architecture and contrasting materials, the DEFY Skyline Skeleton draws inspiration from illuminated cityscapes where the interplay of light and shadow echoes the rhythm of urban life. Robust and transparent, this watch balances high-frequency precision and elegant design.
Crafted in deep black ceramic, the geometric exterior of the DEFY Skyline Skeleton houses the gleaming gold-toned open-worked dial, revealing the El Primero 3620 SK calibre beating within. The radiant movement powers the world’s first and only constant 1/10th of a second running indicator, completing a full rotation every 10 seconds.
DEFY SKYLINE TOURBILLON SKELETON
For the first time, ZENITH introduces a tourbillon skeleton to the DEFY Skyline collection, turning transparency into structure and precision into design. The architecture of the skeletonised movement stands out in intense blue, as if it were a mechanical skyline against a darkening sky. Housed in a bold yet warm rose-gold case, this open-worked interpretation is powered by the automatic El Primero 3630 SK calibre, with the oscillating one-minute tourbillon giving the watch a beating pulse.
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DEFY SKYLINE 36
ZENITH releases two new silhouettes of the DEFY Skyline 36. Powered by the Elite 670 automatic calibre, the unisex timepiece with a 36-mm stainless-steel case now features a refined silver-toned dial. The faceted case and signature engraved star-patterned dial honour the contemporary urban character of the collection while the sleek silver palette enhances its modern elegance. The timepiece is available with or without brilliant-cut diamonds set into the 12-sided bezel, for a dazzling touch.
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DEFY REVIVAL A3643
A tribute to the earliest DEFY models, the DEFY Revival collection faithfully reproduces timepieces that showcase ZENITH’s heritage, thus demonstrating the power of elevated design and cutting-edge innovation to transcend time. By bringing back details and design elements that made the originals so outstanding, ZENITH rekindles the design codes that continue to inspire modern DEFY models.
The DEFY Revival A3643 is a contemporary tribute to one of the original references from 1969, the year the DEFY was launched. Housed an octagonal case with an iconic 14-sided bezel, this precise reinterpretation highlights the bold architecture that first defined this timepiece and that continues to influence the collection.
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Rather than the solid case back of the 1969 model, the DEFY Revival A3643 has been updated with a sapphire display back, revealing the automatic Elite 670 movement. Meanwhile, the understated high-contrast dial features a silver-toned plane with glossy black details for enhanced readability. The watch is fitted with the iconic ladder bracelet designed exclusively for ZENITH by Gay Frères in 1969.