The New Zenith Defy Skyline Chronograph Boutique Edition

An important range for the brand, Zenith keeps enlarging its Defy collection. The name of the collection dates to Zenith’s 1902 line of robust pocket watches bearing the name ‘Defi’, which popped up again in 1969 to distinguish the toughest member of the first El Primero references known as the A3642. The Defy Skyline sub-collection appeared in 2022 as a more toned-down, all-rounder luxury sports watch. Singled out as a boutique-exclusive edition, Zenith launches a special version of its 42mm Defy Skyline Chronograph with an elegant slate grey dial with golden accents, powered by the El Primero 3600 automatic movement capable of capturing 1/10^th of a second readings.

The edgy octagonal case and dodecagonal bezel of the Defy Skyline are a nod to the collection’s 1969 ancestor but executed in a more contemporary spirit. The Defy Skyline chronograph joined the lineup in 2024, and the new boutique exclusive model adopts the same colour scheme as the time-and-date Defy Skyline released last year.

The 42mm stainless steel case with its faceted bezel is decorated with brushed and polished finishes to highlight its angular architecture, which can be appreciated in the vertical brushed finish of the bezel and its wide gleaming bevel. The sloping, rectangular pushers follow the sharply drawn lines of the case, and the large screw-down crown with Zenith’s five-pointed star logo ensures the 100m water-resistance.

The novelty here is the attractive metallic slate grey colour of the dial engraved with golden four-pointed stars. The gold tone is also used on the applied indices, the frame of the date window at 4:30, all six hands and the Zenith star applique at noon. The three sub-dials overlap slightly and stand out with their snailed interiors and white markings. The two chronograph counters – 60 seconds at 3 and 60 minutes at 6 o’clock – are distinguished by their red tips, unlike the small seconds counter at 9 o’clock with its lumed-tipped golden hand.

The indices and the hour and minute hands are treated with Super-LumiNova, and the central chronograph seconds hand has an openworked star counterweight and a red tip matching the hands in the counters. The twelve facets of the flange echo those of the bezel and are printed with the 1/10^th of a second scale. By activating the chronograph function, the central hand completes a revolution around the dial in 10 seconds and when stopped, displays each tenth of a segment.

This mechanical feat is thanks to the El Primero 3600 calibre’s high-frequency rate of 5Hz. Visible through the display back is the star-shaped rotor with bidirectional winding generating a power reserve of 60 hours.

Fitted with an integrated quick strap-change mechanism, the 3-link steel bracelet can be exchanged for the star-patterned black rubber strap provided in the package. The Defy Skyline Chronograph Boutique Edition is available exclusively at Zenith’s physical and online boutiques worldwide. It retails for CHF 12,900. For more information, please consult zenith-watches.com.