Some brands chase trends, others waterfalls (we love you Left Eye!). ZENITH seems to chase the cosmos. And for its DEFY Skyline Chronograph Blue Ceramic model, the Le Locle watchmaker crafted a celestial instrument that doesn't just tell time but orbits the very limits of contemporary horology.
It is ZENITH's 160th birthday and this isn't your average "anniversary edition. For this outing the DEFY Skyline Chronograph is one of the Maison's most striking modern pieces Now reimagined in an otherworldly blue ceramic that glows like the twilight just before the stars wink into view.
Blue has long been the brand's spiritual hue. A nod to the night sky that inspired founder Georges Favre-Jacot and the brand's cosmic moniker. And this particular shade of blue is painstakingly engineered; it took months to perfect because ceramic is an unforgiving material to paint on.
You'll find this blue on the faceted 42mm case and integrated bracelet. With a blue-toned sunray-pattern dial, you'll find the small seconds located at nine o'clock and the date at 4:30pm. There is the engraved ZENITH's signature star motif-a geometric constellation that dances in the light on the dial. Through the sapphire caseback you can see the star engraved rotor-bearing the "160th Anniversary" mark.
At its heart, lies the El Primero 3600 calibre. This high-frequency calibre beats at 5Hz; the central chronograph hand makes a full rotation every 10 seconds, slicing time into 1/10th-of-a-second segments. The timepiece has a water resistance of 10m and has a power reserve of 60 hours.
And while the integrated ceramic bracelet is a marvel of crisp chamfers and sculptural flow, ZENITH includes a rubber strap with the same starry motif—easily swapped in seconds thanks to the quick-change system.
Limited to just 160 pieces, this blue ceramic DEFY Skyline Chronograph 160th Anniversary Edition is a milestone, a reminder that even after all these years, the brand still has its eyes on the stars. An excellent height to always reach for.
ZENITH's DEFY Skyline Chronograph 160th Anniversary Edition is available at all ZENITH stores and online