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At LVMH Watch Week 2026 in Milan, Zenith presented several new additions to its DEFY collection. Drawing equally on its 1969 heritage and contemporary urban design, the new releases span skeletonised three-hand models, ceramic chronographs, a tourbillon skeleton in precious metal, refined 36 mm executions, and a historically faithful revival.
Leading the new releases is the DEFY Skyline Skeleton in black ceramic, a 41 mm timepiece that merges architectural openworked design with high-frequency mechanics. The faceted case and integrated bracelet are crafted entirely from black ceramic, offering a lightweight, scratch-resistant surface with a uniform colour. Beneath the gold-toned openworked dial - shaped around Zenith’s signature four-pointed star - lies the El Primero 3620 SK automatic calibre. Operating at 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz), this movement features a 1/10th-of-a-second running indicator at 6 o’clock that completes a full rotation every 10 seconds, driven directly by the escapement. The calibre incorporates a silicon escape wheel and lever, delivers a 55-hour power reserve, and the watch is water-resistant to 100 metres. It is supplied with both a black ceramic bracelet and a black rubber strap, utilising a tool-free quick-change system.
Zenith also introduced the DEFY Skyline Chronograph in black ceramic, developed from the brand’s all-ceramic concept established last year for its 160th anniversary with a blue-toned edition. The 42 mm case and integrated bracelet feature sharp, faceted geometry with a combination of satin-brushed and polished finishes. The dial is executed with a gradient grey finish that darkens toward the edges and is engraved with a starry-sky motif, housing three chronograph counters with concentric detailing. Powering the watch is the El Primero 3600 automatic chronograph calibre. Beating at 5 Hz, the movement measures elapsed time to 1/10th of a second, with the central chronograph hand completing one rotation every 10 seconds. Supported by a column wheel and horizontal clutch, it offers a 60-hour power reserve and is visible through a sapphire caseback. The watch is water-resistant to 100 metres and is delivered with both a ceramic bracelet and a black rubber strap.
A significant technical milestone is marked by the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton, the first tourbillon skeleton within the Skyline collection. Limited to 50 pieces, this 41 mm model is crafted in rose gold with alternating satin-brushed and polished surfaces. The openworked blue dial reveals the El Primero 3630 SK automatic calibre, finished in blue PVD with rhodium-plated chamfers. Beating at 5 Hz, the movement features a one-minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock composed of 56 components, along with a skeletonised barrel that offers a view of the mainspring. It provides a 50-hour power reserve and is wound by a solid gold oscillating weight. Water-resistant to 100 metres, the watch is delivered with a solid rose gold bracelet and a blue rubber strap, both fitted with gold folding clasps.
The collection is further expanded with new versions of the DEFY Skyline 36, featuring a silver-toned sunray dial in two configurations - one executed entirely in stainless steel, and the other featuring a bezel set with 52 VVS brilliant-cut diamonds. Both models are housed in 36 mm stainless steel cases with a twelve-sided bezel, a screw-down crown, and water resistance rated to 100 metres. The dial displays the engraved four-pointed star pattern, complemented by rhodium-plated, faceted hands and hour markers coated with Super-LumiNova. Power is provided by the Elite 670 automatic calibre, which operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and offers a 50-hour power reserve. Each model is supplied with a steel bracelet and an interchangeable black rubber strap.
Completing the 2026 launches is the DEFY Revival A3643, a faithful re-edition of a landmark 1969 reference, commonly known as the “bank vault” or “bolt.” The 37 mm stainless steel case recreates the original octagonal shape and 14-sided bezel, paired with a sunray silver dial reproduced through high-precision scanning of the vintage model. The applied hour markers feature a two-tier construction with satin-brushed surfaces and black-lacquered recesses, complemented by an orange rectangular accent on the seconds hand. The Elite 670 automatic movement powers the hours, minutes, seconds, and date functions and is visible through a sapphire display caseback. Water-resistant to 300 metres, the watch is fitted with the historical stainless steel “ladder” bracelet.
Images Courtesy - Zenith
At LVMH Watch Week 2026 in Milan, Zenith presented several new additions to its DEFY collection. Drawing equally on its 1969 heritage and contemporary urban design, the new releases span skeletonised three-hand models, ceramic chronographs, a tourbillon skeleton in precious metal, refined 36 mm executions, and a historically faithful revival.
Leading the new releases is the DEFY Skyline Skeleton in black ceramic, a 41 mm timepiece that merges architectural openworked design with high-frequency mechanics. The faceted case and integrated bracelet are crafted entirely from black ceramic, offering a lightweight, scratch-resistant surface with a uniform colour. Beneath the gold-toned openworked dial - shaped around Zenith’s signature four-pointed star - lies the El Primero 3620 SK automatic calibre. Operating at 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz), this movement features a 1/10th-of-a-second running indicator at 6 o’clock that completes a full rotation every 10 seconds, driven directly by the escapement. The calibre incorporates a silicon escape wheel and lever, delivers a 55-hour power reserve, and the watch is water-resistant to 100 metres. It is supplied with both a black ceramic bracelet and a black rubber strap, utilising a tool-free quick-change system.
Zenith also introduced the DEFY Skyline Chronograph in black ceramic, developed from the brand’s all-ceramic concept established last year for its 160th anniversary with a blue-toned edition. The 42 mm case and integrated bracelet feature sharp, faceted geometry with a combination of satin-brushed and polished finishes. The dial is executed with a gradient grey finish that darkens toward the edges and is engraved with a starry-sky motif, housing three chronograph counters with concentric detailing. Powering the watch is the El Primero 3600 automatic chronograph calibre. Beating at 5 Hz, the movement measures elapsed time to 1/10th of a second, with the central chronograph hand completing one rotation every 10 seconds. Supported by a column wheel and horizontal clutch, it offers a 60-hour power reserve and is visible through a sapphire caseback. The watch is water-resistant to 100 metres and is delivered with both a ceramic bracelet and a black rubber strap.
A significant technical milestone is marked by the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton, the first tourbillon skeleton within the Skyline collection. Limited to 50 pieces, this 41 mm model is crafted in rose gold with alternating satin-brushed and polished surfaces. The openworked blue dial reveals the El Primero 3630 SK automatic calibre, finished in blue PVD with rhodium-plated chamfers. Beating at 5 Hz, the movement features a one-minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock composed of 56 components, along with a skeletonised barrel that offers a view of the mainspring. It provides a 50-hour power reserve and is wound by a solid gold oscillating weight. Water-resistant to 100 metres, the watch is delivered with a solid rose gold bracelet and a blue rubber strap, both fitted with gold folding clasps.
The collection is further expanded with new versions of the DEFY Skyline 36, featuring a silver-toned sunray dial in two configurations - one executed entirely in stainless steel, and the other featuring a bezel set with 52 VVS brilliant-cut diamonds. Both models are housed in 36 mm stainless steel cases with a twelve-sided bezel, a screw-down crown, and water resistance rated to 100 metres. The dial displays the engraved four-pointed star pattern, complemented by rhodium-plated, faceted hands and hour markers coated with Super-LumiNova. Power is provided by the Elite 670 automatic calibre, which operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and offers a 50-hour power reserve. Each model is supplied with a steel bracelet and an interchangeable black rubber strap.
Completing the 2026 launches is the DEFY Revival A3643, a faithful re-edition of a landmark 1969 reference, commonly known as the “bank vault” or “bolt.” The 37 mm stainless steel case recreates the original octagonal shape and 14-sided bezel, paired with a sunray silver dial reproduced through high-precision scanning of the vintage model. The applied hour markers feature a two-tier construction with satin-brushed surfaces and black-lacquered recesses, complemented by an orange rectangular accent on the seconds hand. The Elite 670 automatic movement powers the hours, minutes, seconds, and date functions and is visible through a sapphire display caseback. Water-resistant to 300 metres, the watch is fitted with the historical stainless steel “ladder” bracelet.
Images Courtesy - Zenith
