Zenith LVMH Watch Week 2023 Novelties

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Kong's comprehensive photo report from LVMH Watch Week 2023 offers an invaluable first look at Zenith's latest novelties. His detailed images and specifications provide the WatchProSite community with crucial insights into the new DEFY Skyline Skeleton, 36mm DEFY Skyline, and the limited-edition DEFY Extreme Glacier, setting the stage for informed discussion and appreciation of Zenith's horological direction.

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Some quick photographs of the Zenith's pieces shown in the forth edition of the LVMH Watch Week 2023 at the Capella in Sentosa Island, Singapore.

At Villa Zenith ...

Novelties presentation ...

Starting with the most interesting - DEFY Skyline Skeleton. 41mm case with 2 options - Blue or Black toned Openworked dials. Best part both options come with rubber strap with starry sky pattern and folding clasp.

DEFY SKYLINE SKELETON Silicon escape-wheel and lever. Screwed-in crown. Full Interchangeable strap system.

Movement: El Primero 3620, automatic

Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)

Power reserve approx. 60 hours

Functions : Hours and minutes in the centre. 1/10th of a second counter at 6 o’clock.

Finishes: Special oscillating weight with satined finishings

Material: Stainless steel Water resistance: 10 ATM

Case: 41mm Dial: Blue-toned or Black-toned Openworked dial

Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Hands : Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Bracelet & Buckle: Stainless steel bracelet and folding clasp. Comes with a rubber strap with starry sky pattern and folding clasp.

Next is the 36-MM DEFY Skyline series, unisex size for all wrists with Starry sky pattern on the dial, featuring screwed-in crown. Available in 3 colour options - Blue, pink and light green; with or without paved diamond pave bezel. All comes with matching colour rubber strap with starry sky pattern and folding clasp.

DEFY SKYLINE

Full Interchangeable strap system

Movement: ELITE 670 Frequency 28 800 VpH (4 Hz)

Power reserve approx. 50 hours

Functions : Hours and minutes in the centre. Central seconds hand. Date indication at 3 o’clock Finishes: New star-shaped oscillating weight with satined finishings

Material: Stainless steel Carats ~1.00 cts Brilliant quality: F -G Bezel 52 VVS brilliant-cut diamonds

Water resistance: 10 ATM

Case: 36 mm

Dial: Sunray-patterned

Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Hands : Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Bracelet & Buckle: Stainless steel bracelet and folding clasp. Comes with a matching colour rubber strap with starry sky pattern and folding clasp.

The 45mm titanium DEFY Extreme Glacier, limited to 50 pieces, is a follow-up of the 2021 DEFY Extreme Desert launched in 2021.

This certified Chronometer 1/100th of a second chronograph features two escapements : for the Chronograph (360,000 VpH - 50 Hz) while the Watch (36,000 VpH - 5 Hz).

Pusher-protectors and bezel are of Calcedony.

DEFY EXTREME GLACIER

Movement: El Primero 9004, automatic Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz) Power reserve approx. 60 hours

Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. Small seconds at 9 o’clock 1/100th of a second Chronograph: Central chronograph hand that makes one turn each second, 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, 60-second counter at 6 o’clock, Chronograph power-reserve indication at 12 o'clock

Finishes: Special oscillating weight with satined finishings

Material: Brushed Titanium & Calcedony

Water resistance: 20 ATM

Case: 45 mm

Dial: Tinted sapphire with three silver-coloured counters Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Bracelet & Buckle: Brushed titanium bracelet. Full Interchangeable strap system. 2 straps included: 1 White Rubber with folding buckle & 1 Velcro. Titanium Triple folding clasp.

Finally, 41mm DEFY Skyline Boutique Edition with 1/10th of a second subdial at 9H position. The anthracite dial, engraved with a rose gold motif and set with rose gold hands and hour markers. This piece should be viewed in steel, as the eye-catching twinkling effect of the four-pointed stars is a challenge to capture on photograph and perhaps even on video.

DEFY SKYLINE BOUTIQUE EDITION

Movement: El Primero 3620 Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)

Power reserve approx. 60 hours Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. 1/10th of a second indication at 9 o’clock. Date indication at 3 o'clock Finishes: Special oscillating weight with satined finishings.

Material: Stainless steel

Water resistance: 10 ATM

Case: 41mm Dial: Slate-grey-toned sunray-patterned

Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Hands: Gold-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Bracelet & Buckle: Stainless steel bracelet and folding clasp. Comes with a black rubber strap with starry sky pattern and folding clasp.

DEFY Skyline Boutique Edition

DEFY EXTREME GLACIER

Which piece/s pique your interest ?

Kong

Key Points from the Discussion

The 36mm DEFY Skyline, particularly the green and pink dial options without diamonds, is seen as a versatile and appealing size, potentially wearing like a 38mm and complementing other 36mm watches.
The DEFY Skyline Skeleton's silicon escapement system is highlighted for its potential to offer enhanced reliability and an impressive power reserve, drawing parallels to similar advancements in other luxury brands.
Zenith's historical claim to the first automatic chronograph is a point of discussion, with a notable anecdote recalling Heuer's rapid response to Zenith's announcement in 1969.
The 1/10th of a second counter on the DEFY Skyline Skeleton and Boutique Edition is noted as a distinctive feature, though its practical application in daily wear prompts questions among collectors.
Kong provided official pricing in CHF and SGD for all featured models, including the DEFY Skyline Skeleton (10,900 CHF), DEFY Extreme Glacier (25,900 CHF), and various DEFY Skyline configurations.
The trend towards more reasonable watch sizes, specifically 36mm to 42mm, is observed, with Kong noting that proper lug design is crucial for larger pieces to wear comfortably.

The Discussion

kesharoo

Jan 14, 2023

Very nice offerings from Zenith... Any msrp?

Thanks.

Kong

Jan 14, 2023

Here you go ...

From the spec sheets, and for your ref ... not sure if taxes are included though. DEFY SKYLINE SKELETON Price 10900 CHF/SGD 16,100 DEFY EXTREME GLACIER Price 25900 CHF/SGD 38,300 DEFY SKYLINE BOUTIQUE EDITION Price 8900 CHF/SGD 13,200 DEFY SKYLINE Price 8400 CHF/SGD 12,400 DEFY SKYLINE (with diamond bezel) Price 11900 CHF/SGD 17,600

amanico

Jan 14, 2023

Not much my taste. These case and bezel reminds me another watch... I wonder which one... But thanks for the report, my friend.

Kong

Jan 14, 2023

Funny fella ...

Vlad, you are not alone. Then someone mentioned to me this octagonal case with faceted bezel seems to be by Zenith first (think in 1969) before any other brands. Kong

amanico

Jan 14, 2023

That would be VEEEEERY interesting to dig this topic.

piccolochimico (aka dsgalaxy1)

Jan 14, 2023

Dodecagonal bezel actually

The Zenith Defy comes few years before both RO and Nautilus.