Zenith launched two new fashions price discussing this 12 months for various causes. The model’s Defy Skyline Chronograph was a logical subsequent step for the collection. It even felt just like the watch had been a part of the gathering for a while. It simply looks as if a pure development for the Defy Skyline. The second huge new introduction was the Zenith Defy Excessive Diver. Followers of the model have been questioning whether or not we’d see a return of a Zenith dive watch. That query was answered this 12 months with this new duo. Because it seems, the Zenith Defy Excessive Diver is surprisingly much less excessive than we anticipated — in a great way! It’s time for a better look.
As a fan of Zenith, I’m all the time most within the model’s classics and fashionable interpretations of them. They converse to my coronary heart essentially the most, and I feel the identical is true for a lot of watch followers. This 12 months, the Le Locle-based model launched the colourful Defy Revival A3648 for individuals who love their Zenith classics. I adored that launch and hope to get an opportunity to take the look ahead to a correct spin quickly. That stated, with its shiny orange parts, that watch is probably not for everybody. I feel it’s a cool and becoming show of the model’s fashion from the late ’60s and early ’70s. It’s why the Zenith stood out from lots of its opponents.
The story of the Zenith Defy Excessive Diver
That particular watch was additionally the inspiration for the brand new collection of Zenith Defy Excessive Divers. The model made the logical however equally good move to combine its new collection of dive watches into the Defy Excessive line. Up till now, we now have seen a number of Defy Excessive chronographs. It’s a powerful line of watches, however at 45mm vast, they’re critical in measurement and watchmaking chops. When the primary photographs of the brand new Excessive Diver surfaced, I used to be apprehensive as a result of I had anticipated it to be comparable in measurement. However glancing on the press launch revealed a extra modest 42.5mm case measurement. That’s when my slight apprehension was changed with a rising curiosity.
Whereas Zenith has a historical past with dive watches, as Brandon completely defined, it has by no means been the model’s bread and butter. Zenith is primarily often called a model that creates a few of the finest chronographs in historical past. Because of this, the introduction of a diver is all the time an enormous factor. The dive watches within the Sub Sea collection produced within the late Sixties and early Nineteen Seventies stand out within the model’s wealthy portfolio. The reintroduced A3648 is only one of them. Different examples are the colourful A3637 and A3639 fashions, which embrace the illustrious “Large Lemon.” A favourite of mine is the A3630, which I’d have additionally cherished to see return.
Combining the influences from the previous and the current
However Zenith determined in another way. And seeing the brand new Defy Excessive Diver subsequent to the Revival A3648 and the Defy Excessive timepieces, the selection makes complete sense. The designers have been in a position to mix the influences from the previous into the trendy Defy Excessive canvas. Their intelligent strategy has led to fashionable dive watches with an ideal visible steadiness. Brandon defined that each fashions’ design influences are simple to acknowledge.
The Defy Excessive Diver takes the influences from the basic A3648 with its octagonal type, slim dive bezel, and orange minute monitor. Moreover, the watches are related to the Defy Excessive chronographs and, particularly, the Defy Skyline vary because of their star-patterned dial, elongated crown guards, and case/bracelet shapes. Fortunately, although, it doesn’t really feel like a design assemble. The shapes and angles of each the basic and fashionable influences merge splendidly.
The specs of the Defy Excessive Diver
Let’s talk about the specs of the 2 new divers briefly. Each watches characteristic a titanium case that’s 42.5mm in diameter and 15.5mm thick. In addition they boast a 600m depth score, identical to the A3648 again within the day and this 12 months’s Defy Revival version. The brushed titanium case seems to be fashionable and crisp, and the case sides have been particularly joyous to see. I really like the technical seems to be, particularly the crown facet, because it seems to be impressively technical and machine-like. The opposite facet is comparatively easy, with “simply” a helium escape valve. However either side make the Defy Excessive Diver seem like a correct device watch. Apart from that, I used to be blissful to see a dive watch that doesn’t match the standard mould of roundish dive watches we all know all too nicely.
Brandon already brilliantly described all of the issues that make this new angular case such an enchanting design train. There are such a lot of completely different shapes and complicated little particulars that work collectively rather well. Wanting on the watch up shut, it’s nearly a miracle that they don’t generate an immediate visible overkill. My favourite ingredient is the dodecagonal ring as a result of it hints again to the design of the A3648.
However additionally it is extra pronounced than on the retro diver and, due to this fact, defines the look extra. One other standout ingredient is the spaced knurling across the dive bezel, which is great for gripping and turning the bezel. Talking of which, the sound of the bezel is a delight. It has great clear and crisp clicks which might be a testomony to its nice high quality.
Two completely different dial colours with a intelligent star sample
The Defy Excessive Diver is on the market with a black or blue dial with orange and white accents. I favor the darkish blue dial because it has a depth and vibrancy that the black model doesn’t. Concerning the star sample, Zenith has utilized the identical precept that Audemars Piguet makes use of for its tapisserie dials. AP enlarges the sample for the Royal Oak Offshore line, which is what Zenith has completed for these divers. Granted, it’s an acquired style to see these huge four-point stars. However there’s something visually intelligent concerning the bigger sample.
In spots the place the star sample wants to create space for textual content, it will get room to breathe. Consequently, it appears there are irregularities within the sample, although there aren’t. But it surely does create a cool impact that I really like. The outsized utilized luminous hour markers and arms distinction them. One other a type of beautiful particulars is the white define of the markers at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock, which hints on the white define of the date window at 3 o’clock. Simply have a look at these giant arms with their huge luminous surfaces. The Zenith design staff went all out on this one with out going overboard.
The Zenith El Primero 3620 SC
As Brandon defined, Zenith determined to make use of its El Primero 3620 caliber for the brand new divers. It operates at 36,000vph and has a 60-hour energy reserve. The motion is among the model’s non-chronograph El Primero actions and can be used for the Defy Skyline collection. That is the no-frills center-seconds/date model of the motion that’s properly completed with the acquainted star-shaped rotor because the visible point of interest. On the case again, additionally, you will see the centrally positioned quick-release buttons that make altering straps simple. Lately, we gave Zenith a tricky time for its bracelets and clasps used for the Chronomaster Sport, however for the Defy, the quick-release system is top-notch. It’s among the many finest within the business. A stable development with one easy button makes utilizing it extremely simple, and different manufacturers might be taught from Zenith in that division.
The Zenith Defy Excessive Diver on the wrist
We had each the black and blue variations accessible on the FKM rubber straps with a Kevlar texture and folding clasp. Whereas the included bracelet may be the sensible selection for a lot of, and the double-pass strap is the visually putting possibility with the added titanium adapters, the rubber strap might be essentially the most snug possibility. This strap actually is great. It’s tremendous versatile, making it a delight to put on whereas balancing the watch completely on the wrist. The Kevlar texture can be quite particular. The rugged seems to be swimsuit the general design properly and provides the watch much more character.
This interprets right into a watch that’s surprisingly wearable regardless of its quite chunky profile. The 42.5mm case suits properly on quite a lot of wrist sizes. A number of Fratello staff members with completely different wrist sizes tried the watch on, they usually agreed that it’s a nice measurement and tremendous simple to put on because of the titanium development. In fact, the bracelet possibility will make the watch look extra current, so completely different guidelines apply there. Nonetheless, on the rubber strap, there’s a visible friendliness to the dimensions and the design that impressed me drastically.
Closing ideas on the brand new Zenith Defy Excessive Diver
By way of general really feel, the watch presents itself like a contemporary Zenith diver quite than a vintage-inspired one That’s precisely the way it must be. In case you are a Zenith fan, you’ll perceive the visible hints to the previous, however they aren’t elemental in appreciating the design. At finest, they make you recognize the design much more. Now, I admit that after I first noticed the press photographs, I used to be not drastically impressed by these new divers. They appeared like a logical step however not essentially one which blew me away. However after studying concerning the design inspiration and understanding the mixing of classic and present Zenith parts, I used to be intrigued.
In actual life, these watches are much better than the press launch or inventory photographs or would have had me suppose. Then once more, I ought to have anticipated as a lot. Before everything, I really like Zenith for its design philosophy. Whereas not each launch is instantly up my alley, we will all the time discover a blueprint of nice design that’s cleverly thought out and brilliantly executed. And the brand new Defy Excessive Divers may be the very best instance throughout the Defy line. They’re spectacular watches that match the Defy line completely. At €11,800, these new Zenith Defy Excessive Divers are consistent with the costs we all know from the Defy line and the competitors. In that sense, these two new additions to the Zenith assortment make good sense. It’s an important return for the Zenith divers that honors the previous respectfully in a contemporary collection of watches.
For extra info, go to the official Zenith web site. Within the feedback part, tell us your ideas on the brand new Zenith Defy Excessive Divers.
