A Closer Look at the Edgy Zenith Defy Revival A3648, Rekindling that 1969 ‘Everything is Possible’ Spirit

The year 1969 proved to be pivotal for Zenith. The manufacture introduced the El Primero automatic chronograph, which would become one of the most influential movements ever made. Besides that monumental feat, it also launched the formidable Defy collection that year. This sporty series of watches had an unprecedented design, with an octagonal case topped by a 14-sided bezel. In recent times, Zenith has been playing around with historic blueprints from the original Defy, using them for funky recreations under the Defy Revival collection. Following a series of time-and-date models, it was time for the Defy Revival to toughen up. The result? The edgy Zenith Defy Revival A3648, modelled after a 1969 original.

As mentioned, the Defy collection made its debut with several time-and-date references introduced in 1969, but also a 600m water-resistant dive watch called the Defy Plongeur. Back in the day, it was known as “The Vault” for its ultra-robust construction, something that has been retained in this new true-to-original edition.

The first models were already quite something when first released, but even today the design is very expressive and captivating. The Defy Revival collection, where Zenith plays around with the original Defy concept by straight up recreating them, starting with the A3642, A3691 and A3690 with gradient brown, red or turquoise dials (see below). Then followed the Defy Revival Shadow Titanium, which took a more lenient approach to the Revival concept, and now this one.

2022 Zenith Defy Revival A3642

2023 Zenith Defy Revival A3691

2023 Zenith Defy Revival A3690

In conjunction with launching the very modern Defy Extreme Diver, this new Defy Revival A3648 faithfully brings back the look of the 1969 original. The exterior is a one-to-one recreation of the original, which means we’re dealing with a 37mm by 15.5mm stainless steel case. On top of the octagonal base sits a 14-sided rotating bezel with an orange-tinted sapphire insert. The screw-down crown is positioned at 04:30 and the watch is rated to a water resistance of 600 meters, just as the original.

The dial has a deep black centre section, surrounded by a broad orange chapter ring. The hands and markers are identical in shape as the 1969 version and have generous amounts of Super-LumiNova for improved legibility in low-light conditions. The date window interrupts the minute track at 04:30, just as it did in the original one.

Beating away underneath the sapphire crystal caseback is Zenith’s Elite 670 movement, which can also be found in other Defy Revival models, as well as in the dressy Elite collection (obviously). This automatic calibre is produced in-house and runs at a rate of 28,800vph. The power reserve is 50 hours long, and it’s driven by a semi-openworked rotor with Zenith’s star logo proudly in view.

Where the other Defy Revival models came with the signature ladder-style bracelet, the Defy Plongeur and thus the Defy Revival A3648 do not. Instead, it has a five-link bracelet with solid links and a folding clasp with a wetsuit extension modelled after the original bracelet from 1969, designed by Gay Frères. The Zenith Defy Revival A3648 is available through the brand’s physical and online boutiques and retails for CHF 7,400.

If this retro way of doing things isn’t exactly your thing, the stout Defy Extreme Diver can be a good alternative. This takes the spirit of the original Defy Plongeur into a more contemporary direction. Either way, both are more than capable of taking a plunge! It might not be for everyone, but to say they’re lacking originality would be grossly undermining the collection in my opinion.

For more information, please visit Zenith-Watches.com.