Much of Zenith’s renaissance over the past few years has centred on the art of revival, with the Swiss watchmaker revisiting and reinventing heritage pieces. Following the revival of the very first Defy wristwatch introduced in 1969 — the Zenith Defy Revival A3642 — Zenith has introduced two new models to the Defy line, both based on archival designs.
Zenith Defy Revival A3691
A faithful reinterpretation of the 1971 A3691 reference, the Zenith Defy Revival A3691 is the first of its kind to receive the statement colour treatment. Introduced during LVMH Watch Week, the Zenith Defy Revival A3691 retains the key hallmarks of its predecessor, including the faceted 37mm octagonal case teamed with a fourteen-sized bezel, applied square indices with horizontal grooves, and the signature Gay Frères ladder bracelet; the latter updated with a more contemporary ergonomic folding clasp. The glossy red dial is a standout feature, with a vignette effect that darkens towards the edges.
Flip it over and you’ll find a display caseback that showcases the new automatic Elite 670 movement, which operates at a frequency of 28,800 VpH and has a power reserve of 50 hours.
Zenith Defy Revival A3690
Released a year prior to the original A3691, the A3690 was one of the pieces that ushered in the use of striking colours for Zenith. The Swiss watch manufacturer was one of the first brands to incorporate coloured dials with a gradient effect, using them as early as the 1960s. The 1970s saw Zenith take it a step further, adopting punchier, more vibrant hues. The 1970 A3690 saw the introduction of a tropical teal blue hue, closely followed by the crimson red of the A3691.
Reproduced using Zenith’s original historical production plans, the new boutique-exclusive Zenith Defy Revival A3690 features all the singular design elements that distinguished the Defy line from the pack in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Like the A3691, the A3690 features a 37mm faceted octagonal case with a fourteen-sized bezel, applied square indices with horizontal grooves, and the updated Gay Frères ladder bracelet. The teal blue dial also features a vignette effect with darkened edges.
The Zenith Defy Revival A3690 is powered by the automatic Elite 670 movement, which operates at a frequency of 28,800 VpH and has a power reserve of 50 hours.
The Zenith Defy Revival A3691 and Zenith Defy Revival A3690 are available via the Zenith webstore and in Zenith physical stores.
Words by Theo Rosen
