The Zenith DEFY Skyline Tourbillon is a stunning timepiece that combines the brand’s iconic Defy design with the technical marvel of a tourbillon complication. The watch is available in steel with a blue dial and in black ceramic with a black dial. We have a look at the second.
Spectacular materials
At Zenith, one may find materials such as titanium, carbon fibre, and ceramic used in the construction of the case and bracelet, offering a combination of durability, lightweight feel, and modern aesthetics. The piece in review plays with the intriguing look of the black ceramic. The 41 mm case retained its metal family’s brushed / polished combo. Considering how scratch-resistant is the ceramic, we know that this look was rather difficult to obtain, making it even more appealing.
Even the black ceramic bracelet received the same details with brushed faces and polished edges. The Zenith star and name can be found engraved on the folding clasp. The bracelet is simply fabulous. The fast interchangeable system allows the collector to opt for a rubber strap for more relaxed wear.
The screw-in crown with the Zenith star logo and the caseback fixed with fours screws permits the 10 atm water resistance, making the Zenith DEFY Skyline Tourbillon Black Ceramic a complete sports watch.
Black and gold
The dark theme of the case is continued with a sporty black & gold show on the dial. A sunray-patterned design made of stars emanates from the centre of the tourbillon present at six o’clock. The design on the Defy Skyline brings the otherwise simplicity of the dial to a high visual complexity.
The star of the show (star being the most used word in this review) is the 56 components tourbillon. A gold-plated bridge and a dark carriage hold the silvery balance wheel and high-speed escapement. The black & gold mix is amazing in any watch but here offers a complete and cohesive look.
Of course, the Zenith star could not be missed from the dial – the gold-plated applied star shines above the printed brand’s name. The time is displayed centrally using gold-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1 indexes and hands.
Aristocratic blood – the El Primero 3630
One of the most important lineages on chronographs, the El Primero continues to impress even after more than 50 years. The Zenith DEFY Skyline Tourbillon Black Ceramic is powered by a modern relative of this royal family, the El Primero 3630. It inherited the high running frequency of 36000 vph, still one of the fastest beats in use. The automatic movement offers an impressive power reserve of 60 hours.
The make everything even more interesting, the movement is nicely decorated. A superb Côtes de Genève ribbing adorns the bridges in a sunray pattern with a starting point at the axis of the tourbillon. The star rotor weight is offered in a complex design with a multi-depth open design that allows a good view of the movement underneath. A radial brush decorates the upper part of the rotor while the deeper groves are sandblasted – a spectacular view and an exquisite technical solution for decoration.
Conclusions
Zenith introduced the DEFY collection as a platform for pushing the boundaries of watchmaking innovation, and the Skyline Tourbillon is one of its standout models. The light and robust material will guarantee comfortable wear without the fear of small wear signs specific to the metal counterparts. The mesmerising tourbillon adds a touch of depth to an already interesting watch face. The watch is both technically impressive and visually striking.
Zenith DEFY Skyline Tourbillon Black Ceramic Technical Specifications
Reference: 49.9300.3630/21.I001 – 65’000 CHF / 70.400,00 €
Movement
- El Primero 3630 Automatic High Frequency Tourbillon.
- Frequency: 36’000 VpH – 5Hz
- Power reserve: approx. 60 hours
- Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre
- Tourbillon:
- The carriage is positioned at 6 o’clock; it makes one turn per minute;
- Tourbillon cage with 56 components.
- Finishes: Special oscillating weight with satin finishings
Case
- Material: Black ceramic
- Water resistance: 10 ATM
- Diameter: 41mm
- Screwed-in crown
Dial
- Starry sky pattern on the dial that starts from Tourbillon
- Hour markers: Gold-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
- Hands: Gold-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle
- Black Ceramic bracelet with folding clasp.
- 2nd strap included: black rubber with steel black PVD folding clasp.
- Full interchangeable strap system
ZENITH: TIME TO REACH YOUR STAR.
ZENITH exists to inspire individuals to pursue their dreams and make them come true – against all odds. Since its establishment in 1865, ZENITH became the first vertically integrated Swiss watch manufacture, and its watches have accompanied extraordinary figures that dreamt big and strived to achieve the impossible – from Louis Blériot’s history-making flight across the English Channel to Felix Baumgartner’s record-setting stratospheric free-fall jump. Zenith is also highlighting visionary and trailblazing women by celebrating their accomplishments and creating the DREAMHERS platform where women share their experiences and inspire others to fulfil their dreams.
With innovation as its guiding star, ZENITH exclusively features in-house developed and manufactured movements in all its watches. Since the creation of the El Primero in 1969, the world’s first automatic chronograph calibre, ZENITH has gone on to master high-frequency precision and offers time measurements in fractions of a second, including 1/10th of a second in the Chronomaster collection and 1/100th of a second in the DEFY collection. Because innovation is synonymous with responsibility, the ZENITH HORIZ-ON initiative affirms the brand’s commitments to inclusion & diversity, sustainability and employee wellbeing. ZENITH has been shaping the future of Swiss watchmaking since 1865, accompanying those who dare to challenge themselves and reach new heights. The time to reach your star is now.