I do know we maintain saying it, however Watches and Wonders is properly and really simply across the nook, and Zenith, like many different manufacturers, could have some thrilling novelties to dig into. However these upcoming Watches and Wonders novelties received’t be the model’s first launches of the yr. Firstly of 2026, Zenith had a fairly expansive new array of Defy creations launched at LVMH Watch Week – which we’ll take a more in-depth take a look at and recap right this moment earlier than we get to the massive present.
Zenith Defy Skyline Black & Gold
First up, the design that caught my eye probably the most is the Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton in black and gold. Being a brand new color execution, you continue to have a 100-metre waterproof, screw-down crown secured 41mm case, 11.6mm thick, and 46.3mm lug-to-lug, which permits this watch to put on very properly on wrists that might not usually sport items above 40mm. The black ceramic utilised for the case and bracelet is under no circumstances unfamiliar, however the visible pop of a 4N gold plating for the back and front of the motion brings an entire new aesthetic and vibe to the mannequin.
As my colleague Jason wrote, it appears like its nickname might be the Night time Partygoer, however, in Zenith’s phrases, the purpose of the inclusion of a 4N gold plating was to boost the architectural character of the mannequin and provides it a strikingly fashionable, metropolitan presence. An city metropolis illuminated at night time, I’d say the mission is a hit.
I actually just like the visible distinction and pop the 4N gold has towards the black, and I feel the strains of the skeleton motion and its 4-pointed star form actually punch by much more than common. The color is in the end left to the dial, together with your two interchangeable strap choices: a case-integrating black ceramic bracelet or a black patterned rubber strap.
Driving the watch, seen from each side, is the 60-hour in-house high-beat computerized El Primero 3620 SK motion that distinguishes itself with a small seconds hand that runs as a 1/tenth of a second counter moderately than a traditional operating seconds hand, making a full revolution each 10 seconds moderately than each 60.
| Model | Zenith |
| Mannequin | Defy Skyline Skeleton Black and Gold |
| Reference | Ref 49.9300.3620/07.I001 |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 11.6mm (T) x 46.3mm (LTL) |
| Case Materials | Black ceramic |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire back and front |
| Dial | Skeletonised 4N gold plated motion mainplate, lumed bridges |
| Lug Width | Built-in |
| Strap | Black ceramic bracelet, butterfly clasp Black patterned rubber strap, folding pin buckle |
| Motion | El Primero 3620 SK, in-house, computerized, high-beat |
| Energy Reserve | 60 hours |
| Capabilities | Hours, minutes, 1/tenth of a second indicator |
| Availability | Now |
| Worth | US$18,900 |
Zenith Defy Skyline Chronograph in black ceramic
The black ceramic enjoyable doesn’t finish there. Zenith went stealthor at the least a bit extra quiet with a Defy Skyline Chronograph executed in a black ceramic case and a gradient gray dial. Zenith might have gone full-on phantom with this design, having a stark black dial that leans much more right into a stealth mode monochromatic sensibility. However the gradient gray dial, which verges on vibrant black, permits the dial to be extra legible.
The core dial’s star motif is damaged up by three chronograph counters, every in a dial mixing gray, that stand out with their concentric texture. The best way they react when gentle hits them is completely different from the principle dial, due to this fact aiding of their means to be discerned higher. For these not acquainted, the Defy Skyline Chronograph first debuted in ceramic with a blue restricted version at Watches and Wonders 2025, nonetheless this reference is an everyday manufacturing mannequin.
The case is as soon as once more 42mm in diameter, 12.7mm thick, and 47.4mm lug-to-lug – once more, compact for a watch of its diameter. It’s 100 metres waterproof with a screw-down crown, so strong regardless of being a chronograph, and being in ceramic, whether or not worn on its case-matching interchangeable bracelet or bundled interchangeable patterned rubber strap, it wears very comfortably on the wrist.
I ought to word that the black ceramic, used for each the case and bracelet, whether or not the Skyline or Skyline Chronograph, contains a very wealthy brushed end with accents of polish. Zenith has ensured that for a model of its stature and value level, the end lives as much as what even watch snobs would anticipate. My solely level for enchancment is that the bracelet would profit from a micro-adjust system – maybe in the future we’ll see one.
Inside and exhibited, you will have the newest model of a chronograph calibre icon, the in-house computerized El Primero 3600 – a high-beat chronograph motion able to recording time all the way down to 1/tenth of a second with a central chronograph elapsed seconds hand that revolves across the dial as soon as each ten seconds.
| Model | Zenith |
| Mannequin | Defy Skyline Skeleton Chronograph |
| Reference | 49.9500.3600/21.I001 |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 12.7mm (T) 47.4mm (LTL) |
| Case Materials | Black ceramic |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire back and front |
| Dial | Gray-gradient sunray, “starry sky” patterned |
| Strap | Again ceramic bracelet, double folding clasp Black patterned rubber strap, folding clasp |
| Motion | El Primero 3600, in-house, computerized, high-beat |
| Energy Reserve | 60 hours |
| Capabilities | Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph |
| Availability | Now |
| Worth | US$23,600 |
Zenith Defy Revival A3643
Few manufacturers nowadays are dedicated to having continuous updates and a variety within the beneath 38mm section. Zenith, nonetheless, has ample uncompromised designs 37mm or smaller. For instance, one such section, the Defy Revivalhas continued to see new variations of itself over the previous couple of years – the model’s pure, authentic, close to 1:1 recreation of the 1969 design that continued to affect the trendy Defy.
With the Defy Revival A3643, Zenith reintroduces one of many tamest variants but. Whereas the gathering has been related to a variety of color with ruby or turquoise-coloured dialsthe A3643 Revival mimics the unique A3643 with a protected silver-toned sunray dial. The dial selection, paired with the metal case and bracelet, creates a smooth monochromatic aesthetic – subtly jolted by the orange lume throughout the central seconds hand.
Like its Defy Revival predecessors, and the unique 1969 design, you as soon as once more have a 37mm stainless-steel case, 13.6mm thick and a compact 44mm throughout the wrist lug-to-lug. The screw-down crown-secured 300-metre waterproof case options the identical scalloped financial institution vault design and 14-sided bezel, and also you even have the legendary Homosexual Frères ladder bracelet to drive the classic vibes house.
Inside and exhibited by way of the caseback, you will have Zenith’s in-house computerized Elite 670 motion with 50 hours of energy reserve.
| Model | Zenith |
| Mannequin | Defy Revival |
| Reference | 03.A3642.670/01.M3642 |
| Case Dimensions | 37mm (D) x 13.6mm (T) x 44mm (LTL) |
| Case Materials | Stainless-steel |
| Water Resistance | 300 metres, screw-down crown |
| Dial | Silver, sunray-finished |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire back and front |
| Bracelet/Strap | Stainless-steel ‘ladder’ bracelet, folding clasp |
| Motion | Elite 670, in-house, computerized |
| Energy Reserve | 50 hours |
| Capabilities | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Now |
| Worth | US$7,800 |
Zenith Defy Skyline 36 Silver
Talking of silver dials and smaller diameters, Zenith expanded its Defy Skyline 36 vary with a brand new silver dial execution. As a few of chances are you’ll already be aware of, the Skyline dials characteristic a star motif sample on the dial as a tribute to the unique star emblem discovered on the caseback of Defy watches. Although the Defy Skyline and Defy Skyline Skeleton are under no circumstances large watches, the 36 provides a mid-size iteration that caters to these with smaller wrists or those that want extra vintage-like sizing.
It measures 36mm in diameter, 10.3mm thick, fairly slender for a sporty watch, and a really compact 40.6mm lug-to-lug. Regardless of the smaller measurement, you continue to have 100 metres of water-resistance secured by a screw-down crown, in addition to an interchangeable built-in bracelet that may be simply swapped with its bundled built-in rubber strap.
Just like the Defy Revival, the 50-hour Elite 670 will be seen beneath the exhibition caseback. And, whereas many individuals do benefit from the 1/tenth of a second counter on the bigger Skyline and Skyline Skeletonthose that want their second hand to maneuver at an ordinary one revolution each 60 seconds might discover extra solace on this 36mm iteration.
| Model | Zenith |
| Mannequin | DEFY Skyline 36mm |
| Reference | 03.9400.670/01.I001 |
| Case Diameter | 36mm (D) x 10.3mm (T) x 40.6mm (LTL) |
| Case Materials | Stainless Metal |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres, screw-down crown |
| Dial | Silver sunray, “starry sky” patterned |
| Crystal | Sapphire back and front |
| Strap | Stainless-steel bracelet, folding clasp Patterned rubber strap, folding clasp |
| Motion | Elite 670, in-house, computerized |
| Energy Reserve | 50 hours |
| Capabilities | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Now |
| Worth | US$9,400 |
What do you consider Zenith’s preliminary 2026 creations? Which watch featured within the video (scroll again up!) would you say is your favorite? Tell us within the feedback on YouTube.
