The new Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton

Zenith unveiled the latest addition to the Defy Collection – Defy Skyline Skeleton – at LVMH WATCH WEEK 2023 in Singapore. Recently I got to see this watch in Munich and now share some photos and info here.

The Defy Skyline collection was introduced last year and it was something new to the table that’s as much a demonstration of technical prowess as it is a visually captivating animation rarely ever seen on a wristwatch. On the small counter at 9 o’clock, a constantly running 1/10th of a second hand makes steady jumps in fixed increments, completing one revolution every 10 seconds. This year the collection was extended with the skeleton version.

The new Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton housed within an angular 41mm steel case and features the symmetrical skeleton dial that has a form of a four-pointed stars, in a nod to the Zenith logo of the 1960s. The chapter ring’s applied baton hour markers as well as the central hour and minute hands are filled with Super-LumiNova for easy legibility. A constantly running 1/10th of a second counter at 6 o’clock makes steady jumps in fixed increments, completing one revolution every 10 seconds.

The open dial comes in black or blue, with the skeleton movement’s main plate as well as the bridges and open star-shaped oscillating weight finished in the same colour as the open dials for a cohesive and architectural look. The different finishes combining matte, satin-brushed and polished surfaces further accentuate the depth of the moment and intensity of the colour.

Visible from the front as well as the sapphire display back is the openworked version of the high-frequency automatic El Primero calibre, the 3620 SK. Built with a similar architecture as the El Primero 3600 1/10th of a second chronograph, this automatic manufacture movement drives the 1/10th of a second hand directly from the escapement, which beats at 5Hz (36’000 VpH), thus making it a “natural” fraction-of-a-second indication. Its efficient automatic bi-directional winding mechanism with a star-shaped rotor delivers a power reserve of approximately 60 hours.

The Defy Skyline Skeleton features a quick strap-change mechanism consisting of secure buttons on the back. The steel bracelet with a satin-brushed surface with chamfered and polished edges can easily be swapped with the supplied rubber strap and steel folding clasp with a starry sky pattern that’s colour-matched to the dial.

I was very excited to see the Defy Skyline Skeleton in metal and I liked it a lot. Especially the blue version. I can’t say I was a big fan of the original Defy Skyline, it has a cool innovative movement, an interesting dial, but still it was not my thing. But the skeleton version is just opposite. This watch feels modern and thrilling, it has a strong character, and the dial design just emphasises its innovative functionality. Moreover, the finishing quality looks very solid for a watch in this price segment, what is a key element for any watches with skeleton dials. All-in-all, it ticks all the boxes of a contemporary watch.

Which Defy Skyline do you like more?

Facts about Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton.

More details about Zenith watches on www.zenith-watches.com