Zenith Defy Skyline Tourbillon

Following the unveiling of Zenith’s new Chronomaster Sport in full titanium, the Swiss luxury watchmaker has released an exciting new Defy Skyline model that’s fitted with a high-frequency tourbillon.

Ever since Zenith premiered the Zenith Defy Skyline, the model has received several reiterations ranging from a smaller 36mm case size, diamond-set bezels, to openworked dials. The newest release showcases the Maison’s watchmaking prowess and mechanical artistry through the integration of its prized movement – the El Primero 3630 – along with a high-frequency tourbillon that can be spotted on its elegant watch face.

As a result, a few aesthetic changes have also been implemented into the watch’s dial design. The usual sunburst-patterned has been adapted to in a radial effect that elegant frames the tourbillon on the 6 o’clock position. The rest of the watch, from lumed indices, handset to Zenith’s emblematic four-pointed star remains faithful to the model’s signature codes.
The tourbillon mechanism has long been associated with the upper echelon of fine watchmaking; a testament to the technical prowess of the manufacture and the skilled watchmakers that bring these mechanical wonders to life. Originally conceived at the end of the 18th century to counteract the effects of gravity on the watch’s precision, ZENITH has given it its own modernistic spin to demonstrate the Manufacture’s unrivaled expertise in high-frequency precision across multiple movement types and functions as well as the edgy design of the DEFY collection – all in an execution suited for daily wear in any situation. Like all El Primero calibres, the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon’s movement operates at a high-frequency rate of 5Hz (36’000 VpH), ensuring optimal chronometric performance with a high resistance to shocks.

Housed in a faceted and highly geometric 41mm case and matching bracelet in either stainless steel or black ceramic, the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon melds the distinctively bold and architectural design of the Zenith DEFY Skyline with the mechanical animation of a tourbillon mechanism.

Like the core of a galaxy around which countless constellations are strewn, the central kinetic element of the DEFY Skyline is visible through an aperture on the dial’s lower portion. Fixed to a finely mirror-polished bridge with sharp bevels, the tourbillon cage takes on the shape of an open four-pointed star, with the same futuristic lines as those found in other DEFY references with tourbillon mechanisms. Turning ceaselessly around its own axis, the tourbillon completes one revolution every 60 seconds. The case’s water-resistance of 10ATM (100 metres) further affirms the all-conditions endurance of the piece.

The DEFY Skyline’s signature sunray-patterned metallic dial with an engraved starry sky pattern has been adapted specifically for the Zenith DEFY Skyline Tourbillon, to accentuate the high-frequency tourbillon. Either in blue for the steel version or black for the ceramic version, the mosaic of engraved four-pointed stars appear to radiate out of the tourbillon at 6 o’clock, expanding as they reach the outer perimeter of the dial. The luminescent applied markers and hands further add contrast to the dial, with rhodium plated indices for the blue dial and rose gold plated indices for the black dial.

Powering the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon is the new El Primero 3630 automatic high-frequency manufacture calibre, with a power reserve of 60 hours. Mirroring the expansive decoration of the dial-side that emanates from the tourbillon, the côtes de Genève stripes on the bridges are arranged in a sunray pattern that appear to dart out of the tourbillon. The open star-shaped rotor allows for an open view of the contemporary movement architecture.

Like all DEFY Skyline models, the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon comes on a stainless steel or black ceramic bracelet, with a second strap in blue or black rubber with folding clasp supplied that can easily be switched using the case back’s quick strap-change mechanism requiring no tools.

The Zenith DEFY Skyline Tourbillon is available at ZENITH physical and online boutiques as well as authorized ZENITH retailers around the world.