Without a doubt, one of our favorite novelties at Watches & Wonders 2024 is the new Zenith DEFY Skyline Chronograph with its dodecagonal bezel, interchangeable bracelet/strap system, and overall timeless look. The Zenith DEFY Skyline Chronograph is fitted with a stainless steel case measuring 42 mm in diameter but that wears slightly smaller and more like 41 mm. At first glance, the new watches have a look somewhat reminiscent of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph and they are available with a metallic black ref. 03.9500.3600/21.I001, silvery-white ref. 03.9500.3600/21.I001, or blue dial ref. 03.9500.3600/01.I001. All chronograph-related hands have a red tip to provide superior readability and great contrast.

Things to Know About the Watch

Its quick-change strap system adds great versatility and with a simple push of a button, the stainless steel bracelet is easily switched into a supplied Zenith star pattern rubber strap with a steel folding buckle. The rubber straps come in black, blue, and green —for the silvery-white dial model. The stainless steel bracelet is exquisitely finished and very solid.

The 42 mm stainless steel case is a modernized take on the earliest DEFY’s octagonal case with a multi-sided bezel. Retaining the same DNA of robustness and durability as its predecessors while bringing an edgier and more contemporary aesthetic and proportions. In the new Zenith DEFY Skyline Chronograph, the pushers follow the sharply drawn lines of the case, while the screw-down crown emblazoned with the star emblem helps ensure a water resistance of 100 meters.

The dials feature the signature starry sky pattern with engraved four-pointed stars with the traditional El Primero dial layout with running seconds at 9, chrono seconds at 3, and chrono minutes at 6 o’clock. A discreet date aperture sits between 4 and 5 o’clock with a calendar disc matching the color of the dial. The flange with the 1/10th of a second scale has twelve facets, matching the sides of the dodecagonal bezel and serving as extensions of the rhodium-plated applied hour markers filled with SuperLuminova.

The Movement

Powering the new Zenith DEFY Skyline Chronograph is the in-house automatic chronograph movement calibre El Primero 3600 which is fully visible via the display case back. This movement beats at a high frequency of 36,000 vph to provide measurements down to 1/10th of a second and guarantee a power reserve of 60 hours when fully wound. The movement features a silicon escape wheel and lever and a special star-shaped oscillating weight with satin brushed finishings.

On the Wrist & Price

On the wrist, the Zenith DEFY Skyline Chronograph fits remarkably well. The watch wears about one millimeter smaller than its actual case size and with incredible wrist presence. For the money, this is a great-looking watch that delivers flawlessly in terms of the value equation.

Sticker Price USD 13,400. For more info on Zenith click here.