- Zenith has added six new references to its Defy range for LVMH Watch Week 2026; five Defy Skyline models and one Defy Revival
- It marks the first time the manufacture has produced a Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton in rose gold
- The Defy Revival A3643 pays homage to one of Zenith’s 1969 releases
Zenith is starting the year off on a defiant tone, adding six new references across five models to its Defy range. Uniting the manufacture’s heritage in Le Locle with the modern sensibility and sharp architecture of metropolitan landscapes, Zenith’s Defy collection is distinguished by its sharp facets, structural silhouettes, and openworked forms. Herewith, all the Zenith novelties from LVMH Watch Week 2026.
Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton
Inspired by the sharp geometry and interplay between light and shade present in modern metropolitan architecture, Zenith has rendered the Defy Skyline Skeleton in black ceramic with a gold-toned movement. The case and integrated bracelet are brushed and polished, with the faceted case and dodecagonal bezel surrounding an openworked gold-toned movement that sits beneath the manufacture’s signature four-pointed star. At 6 o’clock, the traditional small seconds display is forgone in favour of a subdial that displays the world’s first and only constant 1/10th of a second running indicator. The movement on display is the high-frequency calibre El Primero 3620 SK.
Price: $29,600AUD
Model: Defy Skyline Skeleton (ref. 49.9300.3620/07.I001)
Case size: 41mm
Movement: El Primero 3620 SK (automatic)
Water resistance: 10ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, 1/10th of a second
Power reserve: 55 hours
Zenith Defy Skyline Chronograph
Last year, Zenith marked its 160th anniversary with a quartet of blue-hued releases. Among them, a Defy Skyline Chronograph crafted from blue ceramic, from the case and dodecagonal bezel down to the brushed links on the bracelet. Now, Zenith is putting a dark twist on the lightweight material, with the manufacture’s LVMH Watch Week 2026 releases featuring a blacked out ceramic Defy Skyline Chronograph.
The devil is in the details with the Defy Skyline Chronograph, with various finished adding visual interest. The case and bracelet feature a vertically brushed finish, while the gradient dial is engraved with an all-over geometric motif inspired by the brand’s four-pointed star and the trio of chronograph subdials feature a snailed pattern. Faceted hour and minute hands and luminescent hour markers ensure legibility, while the red-tipped central chronograph hand adds a welcome pop of colour.
The Zenith Defy Skyline Chronograph is powered by the calibre El Primero 3600, an automatic movement that represents a modern evolution of the manufacture’s renowned high-frequency automatic chronograph calibre.
Price: $36,700AUD
Model: Defy Skyline Chronograph (ref. 49.9500.3600/21.I001)
Case size: 42mm
Movement: El Primero 3600 (automatic)
Water resistance: 10ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, 1/10th of a second chronograph, 60-second counter, 60-minute counter, date
Power reserve: 60 hours
Zenith Defy Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton
The first skeletonised tourbillon within the Defy Skyline range, the new Zenith Defy Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton takes shape in a 41mm rose gold case with integrated bracelet and sees the self-winding calibre El Primero 3630 SK displayed in all its glory. Finished in blue PVD, the skeletonised movement is modelled around a deconstructed version of the manufacture’s star motif, centred around the tourbillon cage at 6 o’clock. The movement is framed by a peripheral rehaut that anchors the chunky rose gold hour markers.
Price: $161,400AUD
Availability: 50 examples
Model: Defy Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton (ref. 18.9300.3630/78.I001)
Case size: 41mm
Movement: El Primero 3630 SK (automatic)
Water resistance: 10ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, tourbillon
Power reserve: 50 hours
Zenith Defy Skyline 36
The genderless Defy Skyline 36 has always taken on a funky tone, originally offered in deep blue, ice blue, pastel pink, and mint green. Here, it dons a more refined outfit, with Zenith bestowing its Defy Skyline 36 with a silver dial emblazoned with the all-over four-pointed star motif. The 36mm timepiece is hewn from stainless steel and is available with or without a diamond-set bezel. It’s presented on a two-link steel bracelet, fitted with a quick-change system that allows the included additional black rubber strap to be easily subbed in.
The timepiece is powered by the calibre Elite 670, an automatic movement with a 50-hour power reserve, which is visible through the exhibition caseback.
Price: $14,800AUD (stainless steel); $20,900AUD (stainless steel with diamonds)
Model: Defy Skyline 36 (ref. 03.9400.670/01.I001 [stainless steel]; 16.9400.670/01.I001 [stainless steel with diamonds])
Case size: 36mm
Movement: Elite 670 (automatic)
Water resistance: 10ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power reserve: 50 hours
Zenith Defy Revival A3643
Rounding off a defiant start to the year is the revival of one of the earliest Defy models from 1969. As avid horologists would know, 1969 is the year Zenith introduced its seminal El Primero calibre. Alongside that, the manufacture launched the Defy line, which was known for its bold geometry and structural integrity. Dubbed the ‘bank vault’, the original model introduced a new design language defined by sharp lines, faceted surfaces, and architectural presence.
The Zenith Defy Revival A3643 is geometric precision at its finest; a 37mm octagonal case crafted from stainless steel and topped with a tetradecagonal (that’s 14-sided!) bezel, which surrounds a silver-toned dial. It’s topped with two-tier applied hour markers which place a satin-brushed central plane atop a recessed glossy black base, which are accompanied by chunky luminescent blocks. The faceted hour and minute hands receive a luminescent coating for optimal legibility, while the seconds hand is adorned with a rectangular accent in a vivid shade of orange. Neatly nestled between 4 and 5 o’clock is a date window.
While its predecessor had a solid case back, the Defy Revival A3643 opts to show off the Elite 670, an automatic movement with a 50-hour power reserve, through its exhibition caseback.
Price: $12,200AUD
Model: Defy Revival A3643 (ref. 03.A3642.670/01.M3642)
Case size: 37mm
Movement: Elite 670 (automatic)
Water resistance: 3ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power reserve: 50 hours
Explore Zenith’s LVMH Watch Week 2026 novelties here and click here for more LVMH Watch Week coverage.
Words by Theo Rosen
