LVMH Watch Week: Zenith expands their starry Defy Skyline universe with new skeleton and 36mm models
Zach Blass- The new Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton replaces the recently discontinued Defy Classic Skeleton.
- The star-motif of the skeleton dial is now four-pointed instead of five-pointed.
- New Skyline Skeleton has no date and moves 1/10th of a second counter from 9′ to more symmetrical 6′ position.
- New Skyline 36mm does not have a 1/10th of a second counter, instead it has a standard central seconds.
LVMH is wasting no time, hosting their annual Watch Week in the first month of the year. So we will not waste any time either. Here is a quick rundown of Zenith’s expansion of their Skyline collection. Stay tuned for hands-on coverage to come.
Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton
Last year’s Defy Skyline caused a massive stir amongst watch fans and, despite some detractors, was a proven success for Zenith attaining waiting-list status in 2022. While some continue to try and draw parallels, the Skyline distinctly represents Zenith with elements directly inspired by the original Defy watch from 1969 and through showcasing Zenith’s hi-beat mastery with a 1/10th of a second counter. Many associate Zenith with their openworked star dials, so the new Defy Skyline Skeleton was an inevitable evolution of the Skyline collection and has ultimately replaced the recently discontinued Defy Classic Skeleton. But the new Skyline Skeleton does not just simply openwork the previous Skyline. Zenith has omitted the usage of a date complication, instead moving the 1/10th of a second counter to the symmetrical 6′ position. Another notable switch-up is the transition to a four-pointed star motif for the openworked dial, rather than the previous five-pointed star. This move brings the star found on the tapisserie-like, starry-textured Skyline dial, inspired by the star form engraved on the original Defy caseback, to an openworked format.
The Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton is available with either a blue or black openworked dial, each cased in a 100 metre water-resistant, stainless-steel case that’s 41mm in diameter, 11.6mm in thickness, and 46.3mm across the wrist lug-to-lug. Bundled into the offering is a dial-matching rubber strap, with a starry sky patterned texture taking up the central channel of the strap and able to be quickly interchanged with the stainless-steel bracelet with ease.
| Brand | Zenith |
| Model | DEFY Skyline Skeleton |
| Case Diameter | 41mm (D) x 11.6mm (T) x 46.3mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m (screw-down crown) |
| Dial | Openworked black or blue |
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal and exhibition caseback |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet and folding clasp. Comes with a blue rubber strap with starry sky pattern and folding clasp. |
| Movement | In-house automatic El Primero 3620 |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Functions | Hours and minutes in the centre. 1/10th of a second counter at 6′ |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$11,000 |
Zenith Defy Skyline 36mm
Those focused on the utility of a watch, rather than its aesthetic or symbolism, which is fair, may not be entirely sold on the idea their running seconds hand rotates fully once every ten seconds rather than every 60. With the Defy Classic gone, the new Defy Skyline 36mm returns that missing capability into the Skyline collection with a central seconds hand powered by the Elite 670 movement seen in the Defy Classic rather than an El Primero calibre. Fully cognizant that 36mm is a very unisex size, and in preparation for the question of to bling or not to bling, Zenith has aptly brought forth six configurations at launch: three dial colors in both steel and diamond bezel configurations. The blue, light green, and pink color options allow you to veer as safe or bold as you would like, and each utilise a sunray finish, starry sky pattern, and have date wheels perfectly color-matched to the dial – A+++ to Zenith for making that happen. While smaller in stature, 36mm in diameter, 10.3mm in thickness, and 40.6mm lug-to-lug, it is equally as water-resistant as the Defy Skyline and Defy Skyline Skeleton with a 100 meter depth rating secured by a screw-down crown.
| Brand | Zenith |
| Model | DEFY Skyline 36mm |
| Case Diameter | 36mm (D) x 10.3mm (T) x 40.6mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m (screw-down crown) |
| Dial | Blue, light green, and pink sunray dials with Zenith star pattern |
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal and exhibition caseback |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet and folding clasp. Comes with a blue rubber strap with starry sky pattern and folding clasp. |
| Movement | In-house automatic Elite 670 |
| Power Reserve | 50 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | TBA |