Zenith Defy Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton: A New Era of Luxury Watchmaking

This week, alongside the monochromatic Chronograph in Black Ceramic and the Skeleton Black Ceramic & Gold, which added an interplay of black ceramic and gold-toned mechanics to the Skyline collection, Zenith revealed the Defy Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton. This powerful new reference pushed the collection’s architectural design language into the realm of high luxury and complication. The Defy Skyline is Zenith’s modern vision of the integrated sports watch, angular, precise, and built on the brand’s expertise in high-frequency movements. This latest model is the first tourbillon skeleton within the Skyline family, a combination of structural transparency and the dynamic energy of the El Primero 3630 SK calibre. The 41mm case, 100m water-resistant, and crafted entirely from 18k rose gold, continues the Skyline’s geometric design with its dodecagonal bezel and faceted surfaces. Alternating satin-brushed and polished finishes define the case’s edges; the case looks both robust and refined. The openworked construction exposes the movement, with a blue PVD-treated mainplate and bridges arranged around the central tourbillon aperture. The layout retains the Skyline’s four-pointed star design, expanded into a three-dimensional framework for structural and aesthetic purposes. Rhodium-plated chamfers highlight the edges of each component, gold-plated, faceted hour markers and hands coated with Super-LumiNova SLN C1 ensure legibility against the luminous blue backdrop. As mentioned, the Zenith Defy Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton is powered by the El Primero 3630 SK, an automatic, high-frequency movement operating at 36,000 vibrations/hour (5 Hz). The calibre features a one-minute tourbillon positioned at 6 o’clock, composed of 56 components, and visible through the sapphire crystal front and back. The skeletonised barrel reveals the mainspring in motion. Power reserve is 50 hours. Finishing includes blue PVD-treated surfaces with rhodium-plated bevels and a solid gold oscillating weight decorated with satin-brushed finishing. The watch is equipped with Zenith’s quick strap-change system integrated directly into the case. Two options are provided: a solid rose gold bracelet with a matching folding clasp and a blue rubber strap embossed with Zenith’s star pattern, also equipped with a gold clasp.