W&W 2024: Zenith Presents the New DEFY Chronograph and Extreme Diver Novelties

The DEFY line demonstrates Zenith's dedication to accuracy, creativity, and pushing the limits of conventional watchmaking. The collection uses innovative materials and engineering techniques. You can expect such defining characteristics and more from the two new DEFY novelties launched at the ongoing Watches and Wonders (W&W) in Geneva. On offer are the DEFY Skyline Chronograph, the DEFY Extreme Diver, and the DEFY Revival A3648.

DEFY Skyline Chronograph

The new collection comprises three references. Ref. 03.9500.3600/51.I001 has a blue sunray-pattern dial; Ref.  03.9500.3600/01.I001 has a silver-toned sunray-pattern face; and Ref. 03.9500.3600/21.I001 has a black-toned sunray-pattern dial. The texture of each dial is similar to that of the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon models that were released in March this year. 

The latest timepieces come in 42 mm stainless steel octagonal cases, each with a dodecagonal bezel. The pushers at 2 o’clock and 3 o’clock are sharp and there’s a screw-down crown at 3 o’clock. The colour of the three subdials and the background of the date window at 4:30 match the colour of the respective dials.

Powering the watches is Zenith’s El Primero 3600 automatic, which is the 1/10th of a second chronograph movement, delivering 60 hours of power reserve. Turning each watch over showcases the sapphire caseback with the signature star-shaped oscillating weight. These watches are finished on stainless steel bracelets. The black- and blue-dial models get dial colour-matching rubber straps while the silver-toned-dial model gets a green rubber strap. 

DEFY Extreme Diver and DEFY Revival A3648

The two new references, Ref. 95.9600.3620/21.I300 and Ref.  95.9601.3620/51.I301, come in 42.5 mm brushed titanium cases, octagonal in shape. The dodecagonal ceramic unidirectional bezel has SuperLumiNova. 

While Ref. 95.9600.3620/21.I300 has a black sunray dial, Ref.  95.9601.3620/51.I301 has a blue sunray face. Similar colour contrast can be found on the bezel and the date window at 3 o’clock. Powering the watches is the El Primero 3620 SC movement with 60 hours of power reserve. Turning each watch over showcases the sapphire crystal caseback with a star-shaped oscillating weight. 

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These timepieces are intended not just for professional divers, but also for anybody who values durable, dependable, and technically complex watches. They are designed to survive extreme pressure experienced at 600-metre depth while still delivering excellent legibility, durability, and resistance to corrosion. The watches are finished on three straps: a rubber strap, a fabric strap with a pin buckle that matches the dial colour, and a metal bracelet with a folding clasp.

Last but not least, Ref.  03.A3648.670/21.M3648 marks the revival of the original 1969 Reference A3648. This model gets a smaller 37 mm octagonal stainless steel case, with a tetradecagon unidirectional bezel. Orange accents can be found on the bezel, the inner chapter ring, and the hour, minutes, and second hands. The black and orange dial gets a date window at 4:30 and a crown at the same position as well. This timepiece is powered by Elite 670, an automatic movement with a 50-hour power reserve. Turning the watch over showcases the sapphire caseback with an oscillating weight, featuring a Côtes de Genève motif. This watch is finished on a metal bracelet with a folding clasp. It's a diver’s watch that has a water resistance of 600 metres.