Zenith has introduced the DEFY Skyline Chronograph Skeleton at LVMH Watch Week held recently in New York during January 21-22. LVMH Watch Week continued in Paris during January 30-31. It is a skeletonised version of the DEFY Skyline Chronograph.
The DEFY Skyline Chronograph Skeleton is a 42 mm stainless steel octagonal case watch powered by an evolution of the legendary El Primero calibre. It is available in two dial versions – a black-toned openworked dial and a blue-toned openworked dial. Both dial versions come with a stainless steel bracelet and a dial-matching rubber strap.

Left: Black-toned openworked dial version on black rubber strap. Right: Blue-toned openworked dial version on bracelet.
“Conceived for an ever-fast-moving world where every fraction of a second counts, the DEFY Skyline is an integrated-bracelet luxury sports watch that shines in both its sleek design and unique technical capabilities. Fully in touch with its time, its dynamic geometric design draws inspiration from the already futuristic codes of the late 1960s DEFY models. The newest version of the DEFY Skyline chronograph retains the DNA of its predecessors; edgier, more architectural, it extends its creative concept through an openwork design, resulting in a resolutely modern evolution of the legendary El Primero.”
Key Features
Functions

Image: Black-toned openworked dial closeup.
Central hours and minutes.
Small seconds on subdial at 9 o’clock.
1/10th of a second central chronograph hand – 1 turn every 10 seconds.
60-minutes counter on subdial at 6 o’clock.
60-seconds counter on subdial at 3 o’clock.
Dial

Image: Blue-toned openworked dial closeup.
Black-toned openworked dial: Features a black mainplate and a black winding rotor with a satin finish.
Blue-toned openworked dial: Features a blue mainplate and a blue winding rotor with a satin finish.

Image: Mainplate and openworked dial of the blue-toned version.
Rest of the dial features are same for both versions.
Hour and minute hands are rhodium-plated, faceted, and coated with Super-LumiNova SLN C1.

Image: Black-toned openworked dial version lume shot.
Central chronograph hand features the brand’s star logo and a red tip.
The 60-minutes counter hand and 60-seconds counter hand both feature a red tip.
The 12 hour-markers are rhodium-plated, faceted, and coated with Super-LumiNova SLN C1.

Image: Blue-toned openworked dial version lume shot.
The outer flange features a 1/10th of a second scale.
“The art of “skeletonisation” consists in hollowing out the plate, bridges, and other components of the movement to reveal its inner workings. Which means that the innovative DEFY Skyline chronograph calibre can be admired through the sapphire crystal, both on the front and back of the case. As a vertically integrated manufacture, ZENITH benefits from full creative freedom with a continuous dialogue between designers, engineers, and watchmakers. The modern, artful approach on “skeletonisation” underlines the bold technical character of the model while retaining its functionality and offering perfect legibility. Just as for the time-only Defy Skyline Skeleton, its dial is hollowed out with geometric cut outs in a nod to the ZENITH “double Z” logo of the 1960s. The three-contrasting grey azuré subdials are openworked. Last, the faceted applied baton hour markers and the hands feature Super-LumiNova for enhanced legibility in all conditions.”
Movement

Image: The El Primero 3600SK is an evolution of the original El Primero from 1969. One of the most legendary calibre’s in watchmaking.
Powered by El Primero 3600SK, a high-frequency automatic calibre. It powers the hours, minutes, small seconds, central 1/10th of a second chronograph, 60-minutes counter, and 60-seconds counter. It is an evolution of the legendary El Primero calibre.

Image: El Primero 3600SK.
Parts: 311. Jewels: 35.
Frequency: 36,000 vph or 5 Hz. Power reserve: 60 hours (approximately).
Movement features a silicon escape-wheel and lever.
“This new version of the DEFY Skyline is powered by an exceptional movement, a skeletosized version of the calibre El Primero 3600. Originally presented in 2019, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the legendary ZENITH chronograph movement, the Calibre 3600 has the unique ability of displaying the 1/10th of a second with unprecedented functionality. Measuring such a short fraction of time is already a feat enabled by the movement’s 5Hz frequency (or 10 vibrations per second). Making it perfectly legible is even better: to accurately render each of its pulsations visible, its central seconds hand completes a full rotation every 10 seconds instead of the standard 60 seconds. Its steps precisely mark 1/10th of a second against the graduations on the chapter ring. The bi-directional automatic winding mechanism of the El Primero Caliber 3600SK delivers a power reserve of approximately 60 hours.”
Case, Bracelet, and Strap
Image: Black-toned openworked dial version on bracelet.
Octagonal case is made from stainless steel. Features a 12-facet bezel.
Diameter: 42 mm.
Dial and caseback feature a sapphire crystal.

Image: Black-toned openworked dial version’s black winding rotor with a satin finish.

Image: Blue-toned openworked dial version’s blue winding rotor with a satin finish.
Screw in crown at 3 o’clock, and chronograph pushers between 1-2 o’clock and between 3.30-4.30 o’clock.

Image: Blue-toned openworked dial version on bracelet.
Water resistant up to 10 ATM or 100 metres.
The watch comes with a stainless steel bracelet and a dial-matching rubber bracelet. Features a fully interchangeable strap system.
Black-toned openworked dial version comes with a black rubber strap with a folding clasp made from stainless steel.

Image: Black-toned openworked dial version on black rubber strap.
Blue-toned openworked dial version comes with a blue rubber strap with a folding clasp made from stainless steel.

Image: Blue-toned openworked dial version on blue rubber strap.
“Crafted from steel, the 42mm octagonal Defy Skyline case is topped with a 12-facet bezel and flanked by dynamic pushers. The alternating brushed and polished surfaces create a captivating interplay of light and shadows that enhance its angular design. With a focus on performance, the display case back secured by four hexagonal screws and the screw-down crown engraved with the ZENITH star ensure a 10 ATM water resistance.”
Our Thoughts
The Zenith DEFY Skyline Chronograph Skeleton is a bold and handsome chronograph. Its openworked dial offers a glimpse into the workings of the El Primero, among the most legendary calibre’s in watchmaking. Both versions come with a dial-matching rubber strap for added versatility. All this at a price that is hard to beat. (If this watch were crafted by a few other haute horology brands, its price would possibly be 6-8 times more.)

Image: Blue-toned dial version on bracelet. Same as header image.
The Zenith DEFY Skyline Chronograph makes a compelling case as a GADA (go anywhere do anything) chronograph. When engaged, its central 1/10th of a second chronograph hand will provide pure horological theatre. A worthy addition to watch collections that appreciate chronographs. Zenith has a winner on its hands. My personal favourite is the black-toned openworked dial version.
Additional Details
Name: DEFY Skyline Chronograph Skeleton

Reference: 03.9500.3600/78.I001 – Black-toned openworked dial version
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 14,900 / United States Dollar (USD): 15,500
Name: DEFY Skyline Chronograph Skeleton – Blue-toned openworked dial version

Reference: 03.9500.3600/79.I001
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 14,900 / United States Dollar (USD): 15,500
Warranty: Two years. If bought via Zenith’s ecommerce website, an additional three years of warranty is provided, in addition to a complementary first service.
Packaging: Customers can “opt for an online-exclusive and more environmentally friendly packaging option.”
Please visit the Zenith website and Instagram page for more information.
In Dubai, Zenith has boutiques at the Dubai Mall and Mall of Emirates. Calibre 88 is an authorised retailer.
Our earlier coverage of Zenith includes the DEFY Skyline Ceramic Skeleton and the Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar.