Zenith adds a chronograph to its Defy Skyline collection, the watchmaker’s contemporary version of its Defy series from the early 1970s characterized by its octagonal case and multi-sided bezel.
Debuting three years ago with time-only models, and now including tourbillon and skeleton models, Defy Skyline has become one of the watchmakers best-selling collections. With the new Defy Skyline Chronograph, the collection offers an even sportier option within the same contemporary design.
The new watch also adds another Zenith series that highlights the Manufacture’s El Primero 3600 automatic high-frequency chronograph caliber with a 1/10th of a second chronograph function.
With three dial options, the new watches retain Skyline’s 41mm steel case and add pushers, the collection’s first, with a design that echoes those seen on existing Defy Extreme models. A screw-down crown with the Zenith star logo helps ensure a water-resistance of 100 meters.
Available in metallic black, blue or silver, the Defy Skyline Chronograph’s dial maintains the signature sunray pattern metallic design, engraved with four-pointed stars, found throughout the Defy Skyline series.
To display chronograph times, Zenith places a set of three overlapping counters, which show the elapsed seconds and minutes of the chronograph and the constant running seconds. The date window matches the dial color, a feature seen throughout the El Primero models. The flange ring with the 1/10th of a second scale has twelve facets to form the dodecagonal bezel, which are essentially hour marker extensions.
As with all Defy Skyline models, the new Defy Skyline Chronograph offers an integrated quick strap-change mechanism. With a push of a button, the three-link steel bracelet can be swapped with the supplied star-patterned rubber strap with steel folding buckle.
Price: $12,300. 