By Kien Lee
The DEFY Skyline collection introduced last year now sees the addition of the DEFY Skyline Skeleton.
Housed within an angular 41mm steel case reminiscent of the unique octagonal geometry of the early DEFY models of the 1960s, the new timepiece brings an edgier and more architectural aesthetic, alongside new functionality.
The skeleton dial is harmoniously-balanced, taking on the form of a four-pointed star, in a nod to the ZENITH “double Z” logo of the 1960s.
The watch is available in either a black or blue dial, with the skeleton movement’s main plate as well as the bridges and open star-shaped oscillating weight finished in the same colour.
The different finishes combining matte, satin-brushed and polished surfaces further accentuate the depth of the moment and intensity of the colour.
For easy legibility, especially on a skeleton dial, the chapter ring’s applied baton hour markers as well as the central hour and minute hands are filled with Super-LumiNova.
The screw-down crown emblazoned with the star emblem provides a water-resistance of 10 ATM (100 metres).
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. This is the work 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 an ingenious 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 is colour-matched to the dial.
Bringing a new dimension to the DEFY line and reimagining the possibilities of skeleton watches in form as well as function, the DEFY Skyline Skeleton is available at ZENITH boutiques and authorized retailers around the world.
