ZENITH UNVEILS THE LATEST ADDITIONS TO THE DEFY COLLECTION AT THE LVMH WATCH WEEK 2026
Le Locle / Milano, 19 January 2026 – ZENITH is unveiling several of its latest creations at the 2026 LVMH Watch Week in Milano, alongside LVMH Maisons Bulgari, Daniel Roth, Gérald Genta, Hublot, Louis Vuitton, L’Epée 1839, TAG Heuer and Tiffany. This edition shines a particular spotlight on the DEFY collection, a pillar of the Manufacture and the focal point of ZENITH’s ongoing exploration of contemporary watchmaking.
This year, ZENITH presents a series of new DEFY timepieces that enrich the line’s distinctive identity: the striking black-and-gold DEFY Skyline Skeleton; a bold new expression of the DEFY Skyline Chronograph in black ceramic a milestone introduction with the first-ever DEFY Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton in a fully openworked rose-gold execution; refined updates to the DEFY Skyline 36; and the DEFY Revival A3643, a contemporary tribute to one of the original 1969 references. Together, these models showcase the many facets of the DEFY universe through contrasts of light and shadow, geometric forms, material innovation and an unmistakably urban sensibility. Rooted in the Manufacture’s heritage in Le Locle yet deeply inspired by the modernity of cities like Milano, the DEFY collection captures a vision where watchmaking and contemporary design meet. Each timepiece is conceived as a coherent whole, in which movement and exterior form are developed in concert, an approach akin to shaping a city through the interplay of structure, space and rhythm. The sharp facets, structural silhouettes and openworked forms that define the collection echo the dynamism of metropolitan landscapes, where precision and creativity give rise to a living architecture.
The DEFY Skyline Skeleton pushes the language of contemporary watch design into a realm shaped by open structures, sharp geometry and the visual contrasts of the modern city. Its openworked construction reveals the El Primero 3620 SK calibre in full transparency, while its interplay of light and shadow echoes the dynamic rhythm of an urban skyline. Now presented in a bold new black ceramic edition paired with a gold-toned movement, this latest interpretation enhances the architectural character of the model and gives it a strikingly modern, metropolitan presence.
With its bold openworked architecture, the DEFY Skyline Skeleton reveals every technical detail of the El Primero calibre, including its signature 1/10th of a second indicator. The latest iteration introduces a new contrast, pairing a deep black ceramic case with a gold-toned movement, a combination reminiscent of the luminous reflections and shadowed structures that shape contemporary urban landscapes.
This captivating interplay of black and gold reimagines the DEFY Skyline Skeleton as a sculptural presence within the world of modern watchmaking. The brushed and polished black ceramic exterior evokes the clean lines and monolithic forms of architectural landmarks, while the gleaming gold-coloured openworked dial and movement echo the warm highlights of a city illuminated at night. Together, these elements accentuate the watch’s dodecagonal bezel and faceted case, achieving a balance of metropolitan boldness and modern elegance.
Beneath the open dial shaped after ZENITH’s emblematic four-pointed star from 1969 lies the El Primero 3620 SK calibre, finished entirely in gold tone. Instead of a traditional central seconds display, the DEFY Skyline introduces the world’s first and only constant 1/10th of a second running indicator. Directly driven by the 5 Hz escapement, it completes a full rotation every 10 seconds, creating a visual rhythm reminiscent of the perpetual motion of the city.
Designed for modern versatility, this new edition is fitted with an integrated black ceramic bracelet that extends the sleek geometry of the case, forming a seamless architectural silhouette. A black patterned rubber strap is also included, easily interchangeable thanks to the intuitive quick strap-change mechanism requiring no tools, a nod to the adaptability of contemporary urban life.
The DEFY Skyline Chronograph returns in a striking new interpretation, now crafted entirely in black ceramic. First presented in full ceramic within a trio of blue-toned editions created to mark the Manufacture’s 160th anniversary in 2025, the model now takes on a bold and distinctly contemporary presence in deep black, a material and colour that amplify both its architectural silhouette and refined urban character.
Durable, lightweight and smooth to the touch, ceramic offers exceptional performance and visual depth. Its rich black tone, coloured throughout rather than coated, enhances the facets of the DEFY Skyline Chronograph, giving the case and bracelet a sculptural intensity. Resistant to scratches and meticulously finished, the material sharpens the watch’s geometric contours and reinforces its commanding, modern aesthetic.
The gradient dial mirrors the depth of the ceramic exterior, transitioning from a lighter centre to a darker periphery, echoing the interplay of shadow and light across a cityscape. True to the DEFY Skyline identity, the dial is adorned with an engraved four-pointed star motif, while the chronograph’s three counters are decorated with concentric patterns that enrich the sense of structure. Faceted hands and applied markers filled with luminescent material ensure clarity and legibility in all environments.
At the core of the DEFY Skyline Chronograph lies the El Primero 3600 calibre, a contemporary evolution of ZENITH’s legendary high-frequency chronograph movement. It displays 1/10th of a second with exceptional precision, with the chronograph seconds hand completing a full revolution every 10 seconds, six times faster than conventional chronographs. Beating at 5 Hz and offering a 60-hour power reserve, the movement is visible through a sapphire case back that reveals its intricate architecture, including a blued column wheel and a star-shaped rotor.
Versatility remains integral to the DEFY Skyline design. The black ceramic edition features an integrated quick strap-change mechanism directly built into the case, enabling effortless transitions between the two-link ceramic bracelet and the accompanying patterned black rubber strap with folding clasp.
The DEFY Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton marks a new chapter for the collection, where transparency becomes structure, and mechanical complexity takes on an architectural presence. As the first tourbillon skeleton within the DEFY Skyline line, it reveals an entirely openworked interpretation of the El Primero movement, suspended within a radiant rose gold case whose facets capture and reshape the light.
By opening the calibre to its very core, the timepiece invites the eye to explore a construction defined by light, depth and mechanical balance. Without a traditional dial to conceal it, the watch’s architecture appears in its purest form. The movement rises at the centre like a mechanical skyline, framed only by a peripheral flange that anchors the hour markers and deepens the sense of spatial immersion. The ZENITH signature floats above the calibre on the sapphire crystal, while the iconic star is set directly onto the skeletonised mainplate, an emblem integrated into the very geometry of the mechanism.
At its heart lies the automatic El Primero 3630 SK calibre, presented in an intense, luminous blue. Its skeletonisation embraces the symbolic ZENITH star as a structural motif, expanded and centred around the tourbillon aperture. The calibre reveals a play of contrasting depths, finishes and colours, animated by two architectural bridges positioned at 10 and 2 o’clock. Their double-tier, sloping geometry creates a shifting relief, mirroring the lines and cantilevers of contemporary architecture.
The movement’s finishing evokes a meticulous choreography of surfaces. The bridges and mainplate are treated with blue PVD, then selectively polished to reveal rhodium-plated chamfers that catch the light with a refined brilliance. The one-minute tourbillon oscillates at 5 Hz, its high-frequency rotation giving the watch a living pulse, while the skeletonised barrel offers a direct view of the mainspring as it unwinds across the 50-hour power reserve.
Crafted entirely from rose gold, the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton reinterprets the collection’s sharp geometry through the warmth of the precious metal. Alternating satin-brushed and polished planes accentuate the silhouette of the 41mm case, creating a faceted architecture that evolves with every movement of the wrist. The intuitive quick strap-change system is seamlessly integrated into the case, allowing effortless transitions between the rose gold bracelet and the star-patterned blue rubber strap with matching gold folding clasp.
Introduced in 2022, the DEFY Skyline embodies a dynamic and architectural spirit, drawing from the forward-thinking design codes of the late 1960s DEFY models. Fully aligned with contemporary lifestyles, the line has quickly become one of the pillars of the ZENITH portfolio, evolving into a versatile collection expressed through multiple sizes, materials and configurations. This evolution continues with the introduction of a refined silver-toned dial for the 36mm version, offered in two distinct expressions, a sleek, minimalist interpretation and a more radiant variant enhanced with brilliant-cut diamonds.
Originally offered in deep blue, ice-blue, pastel green and pastel pink, the unisex DEFY Skyline 36 now welcomes a new interpretation distinguished by its elegant silver-coloured dial. The signature geometric motif of engraved four-pointed stars remains central to its identity, a modern reinterpretation of the historic “double Z” logo from the 1960s. Luminescent hour markers and hands ensure optimal readability in low-light conditions. Available with or without brilliant-cut diamonds set on its twelve-sided bezel, the compact 36mm faceted steel case stands out with sharp lines and a silhouette reminiscent of contemporary urban landscapes. Its screw-down crown provides water resistance to 10 ATM, balancing refined aesthetics with everyday functionality.
The DEFY Skyline 36 is powered by the Elite 670 automatic calibre, visible through its exhibition case back. Finished in a sleek, modern silver tone and fitted with an open star-shaped rotor, the movement operates at 4 Hz and delivers a 50-hour power reserve.
Reflecting the adaptable nature of the collection, this new silver-dial version is equipped with a practical interchangeable-strap system. With a simple push of the button located on the back of the case, the integrated two-link steel bracelet can be effortlessly exchanged for the additional black rubber strap adorned with a star pattern.
In 2022, ZENITH unveiled the DEFY Revival A3642, a precise reinterpretation of one of the earliest DEFY models from 1969, complete with its signature octagonal case, 14-sided bezel, gradient dial and iconic ladder bracelet. The following year, the Manufacture introduced the revival of the A3691 reference from 1971, instantly recognisable by its striking ruby-coloured dial. For LVMH Watch Week 2026, the story continues with the reissue of another key 1969 creation: the DEFY Revival A3643, distinguished by its refined silver-toned dial.
The year 1969 remains a defining moment for ZENITH. Alongside the unveiling of the groundbreaking El Primero calibre, the Manufacture launched the DEFY line, an exploration of bold geometry, structural integrity and uncompromising resilience. Nicknamed the “bank vault” or the “bolt”, the original model expressed a new design vocabulary shaped by sharp lines, faceted surfaces and architectural presence.
The DEFY Revival A3643 faithfully brings back the defining features that made the inaugural DEFY an icon and continue to influence the collection today. Its rugged 37mm steel case follows the re-engineered construction introduced on recent Revival editions, while the silver-toned dial echoes the understated elegance of the historical reference.
Meticulously retro-engineered through a high-precision scan of the vintage model, the dial has been recreated with absolute respect for its original structure. The applied hour markers feature a sophisticated two-tier profile: a satin-brushed central plane elevated above glossy black-lacquered recesses, creating a striking interplay of depth and contrast. Luminescent blocks and faceted hands ensure optimal readability, while the seconds hand is accented by a vivid orange rectangular segment that enhances both visibility and dynamism.
In place of the solid case back of the 1969 model, the DEFY Revival A3643 features a sapphire display back revealing the automatic Elite 670 manufacture movement with its openworked ZENITH star rotor. Operating at 4 Hz and delivering a 50-hour power reserve, it displays the hours, minutes, seconds and date. The timepiece is fitted with the iconic ladder bracelet originally designed exclusively for ZENITH by Gay Frères in 1969.
