We’ve been curious about this watch ever since it came out. Until March of this year, during Watches & Wonders to be precise, we hadn’t seen it in person, let alone tried it on. And when we arrived at the ZenithThis was the first thing that caught our eye, not on a display stand, as the honor was for the Pilot collection, but on the wrist of one of the team members. It was love at first sight, and confirmed as soon as we tried it on for the first time. We wanted to tell you all about it, but not before we’d spent at least a full day with it. Defy Skyline in 41mm. It’s now been 4 days and here are our review.
Defy: the future according to Zenith
Under the impetus of Jean-Claude BiverThe rebirth of the Defy collection began with a series of experiments. First with the Defy Lab and its monolithic oscillator housed in a case made of Aeronith, a hybrid foam metal, after which the manufacture continued to play with materials before moving on to a truly mass-market model with the urban name of Skyline. Still in the vein of the Defy collection, born in the 1960s with the desire to imagine the watches of the future, this archetypal sport-chic watch breathes Zenith DNA. From the texture of the dial to the distinctive counter, from the bracelets with their patented system to the star-shaped rotor, everything is there to appeal to the discerning amateur as well as to the enthusiast with a keen eye for design and a quest for the very best. more confidentiality.
Highlights
It’s quite a feat for a watch from a major manufacturer to be available in the sport-chic style of Gérald Genta. This availability coupled with its price make it a superb candidate for fans of the genre. We also appreciate the fact that its authorship is linked to a historical model which gives it a certain legitimacy. Its proportions deserve a little thought, because at 41mm wide on paper, it’s a limit that some people don’t cross, and we’re usually among them. But what the data sheet doesn’t mention is its “horn-to-horn” length of just 46.3mm, which makes it one of the best-selling models on the market. greatly attenuates its size when worn. Our wrist measures 17.5mm in circumference, and this watch fits perfectly. On the dial, we love the star pattern on the back, which screams Zenith and above all, asserts it, thanks to a small seconds hand that completes a full revolution in just 10 seconds. A superb way to make the 36’000 A/h cadence more tangible of the El Primero caliber. Its straps are also very well executed, and you can see that Zenith has meticulously thought out every aspect, whether in terms of design, comfort or finishing, not to mention the ingenious and highly effective patented quick-change system. And when you turn the watch over, that huge star also makes an impact; the movement finishes are very subtle, but there they are, and they live up to the brand’s reputation.
What we regret
The list of positive points is so long thatyou’d forget the negatives. Frankly, we like everything! But since watchmaking is always a subjective matter, we can put ourselves in the shoes of a critical amateur. We might find it unsettling that the that the small seconds hand turns frantically6 times more than a traditional second, or even its position at 9 o’clock, which unbalances the dial. It could also be said that its patented system will force owners to buy their bracelets from Zenith and with a reduced selection, even if the very principle of the integrated bracelet is not to change frames. Some will argue that movement finishes are rather light or too industrial, or that its design is far removed from the original modelwhich leaves it with only a name. And finally, in terms of proportions, in a new era of shrinking diameters, a more restrained version of 39mm, for example, would have been welcome. Then some will say the opposite, asking for a beefier version for XL wrists…
Our opinion on this Zenith watch
Once again, it’s a love at first sight for us. We love everything and everything speaks to us. From its design to every little detail, every finish, every meticulous detail that the star-spangled brand has put into its products. a sport-chic watch worthy of the name. And yet, when this piece was unveiled, nothing in particular clicked for us. We just thought it was nice, without asking too many questions. It’s a watch that deserves – indeed, needs – to be tried, and will surprise you.just as it surprised us. And when you compare its price of €9,400 or its availability with rival manufactures of similar stature and history, you’d think that Zenith is frankly an underrated brand.. Too many good boxes are ticked not to consider it. For us, the choice is made!
FEATURES – ZENITH DEFY SKYLINE
Case : 316L stainless steel – brushed and polished finish – 41mm wide x 46.3mm long x 12mm thick – flat sapphire crystal – transparent sapphire crystal caseback – screw-down crown – 10 ATM (100 meters) water resistance
Dial : navy blue background – sunray finish – embossed star pattern – applied hour markers – matt blue minute scale with white markings – date window at 3 o’clock – SuperLumiNova on hour markers and hands
Movement : self-winding – manufacture – El Primero 3620 calibre – 60-hour power reserve – 36,000 vibrations per hour (5Hz) – 219 components – stop-second function – hours, minutes, seconds and date – skeletonized star-shaped oscillating weight
Straps : 2-link stainless steel – brushed and polished finish – 25/17mm cut – quick-change system – butterfly folding clasp – second custom-moulded blue rubber strap with 25/18mm cut and double folding clasp
Informations : reference 03.9300.3620/51.i001 – available on the official Zenith website and from authorized dealers – 2-year warranty (or 3 years on the official website) – €9,400 incl. VAT
