The DEFY Skyline collection by ZENITH brings to life the breathtaking beauty of the night sky, reinterpreted through the lens of high-end watchmaking. Featuring a dial with a stunning sunburst finish, each timepiece is adorned with engraved four-pointed stars, echoing the brand’s legacy while embracing a modern aesthetic. This celestial design pays homage to ZENITH’s founder Georges-Favre Jacot, who sought to build the world’s most precise timepiece and named his Manufacture after the highest point in the night sky—zenith.
The story of the DEFY collection dates back to 1902, when the original “DEFI” line of rugged pocket watches was created, evolving into wristwatches in 1969 under the name DEFY. The 1970s iteration of the DEFY was renowned for its robust construction and bold, modern design, earning it the nickname coffre-fort—meaning vault or safe—due to its durability. The DEFY Skyline preserves that spirit of rugged elegance, with a sleek, architectural case that modernizes the original octagonal design, featuring a multi-sided bezel that gives the timepiece an edgier and more refined look.
At the heart of the DEFY Skyline Chronograph lies the legendary El Primero 3600 calibre, an industry-leading movement that operates at a high frequency of 5Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour). This exceptional movement ensures that the timepiece offers a 1/10th of a second timekeeping function, with the DEFY Skyline Chronograph elevating that with a precise 1/10th of a second chronograph capability. Available in metallic black, blue, or silver dials, the DEFY Skyline’s signature starry-pattern dial, complete with the engraved four-pointed stars, also integrates the traditional El Primero dial configuration.
With its combination of innovation, history, and celestial inspiration, the ZENITH DEFY Skyline is a bold reimagining of a legendary timepiece, ready to stand as a modern classic in the world of haute horology.
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