ooking back at the legacy of the Defy collection of wristwatches, there’s a long and enduring tradition of El Primero chronographs dating as far back as the early 1970s. A modernistic vessel for a groundbreaking calibre, the Defy has always been perfectly suited for the El Primero automatic chronograph, whose high-frequency rate allows it to provide unwavering precision – even in highly animated and dynamic situations. With the same penchant for movement and performance in a wide range of settings, the new Defy Skyline Chronograph is the culmination of over 50 years in elevating the chronograph to new heights.

Three slightly oversized and overlapping counters show the elapsed seconds and minutes of the chronograph, as well as the constant running seconds. The date window – matching the colour of the dial – is positioned at 4:30, another El Primero signature. The flange ring with the 1/10th of a second scale has twelve facets, mirroring the dodecagonal bezel and serving as extensions of the hour markers.

In essence, it is the Defy chronograph of the 21st century – and it shows. Architectural, geometric and intricately faceted, the Defy Skyline’s 42mm steel case is a modernised take on the earliest Defy’s octagonal case with its multi-sided bezel, retaining the same DNA of robustness and durability as its predecessors while bringing an edgier and more contemporary aesthetic and proportions. In the Defy Skyline Chronograph, the pushers follow the sharply drawn lines of the case, while the screw-down crown emblazoned with the star emblem helps ensure a water-resistance of 100 metres (10ATM).

Available in metallic black, blue or silver, the Defy Skyline Chronograph’s dial pairs the collection’s signature starry sky-patterned dial featuring engraved four-pointed stars with the traditional El Primero dial configuration.

The 1/10th of a second chronograph, a mechanical feat, is the result of the El Primero 3600 calibre’s high frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour), visible through the display back. Its open star-shaped oscillating weight (visible through the display back) with bidirectional winding efficiently provides a power reserve of 60 hours. Another highlight of the Defy Skyline is its quick strap-change mechanism integrated directly into the case, allowing for effortless versatility without requiring any tools.

Price: CHF 12,900

www.zenith-watches.com