The luxury steel sports watch trend is here to stay and out of the full spectrum, blue is certainly the colour of the moment. We’ve already sung the praises of Tissot’s Powermatic PRX 35mm, a modestly sized watch that comes in a deep handsome blue edition. And how could we not be impressed by Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak with a dial made from real Mexican turquoise stone? So it was a pleasant surprise to see that Swiss watchmaker Zenith has also thrown its hat into the ring, dropping three new Boutique Editions of the DEFY Skyline. These new releases take direct inspiration from the earliest Zenith DEFY models and now come with invigorating blue dials.
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There are many shades of blue used by watch brands, with the darker hues often used to give a watch an air of sophistication or a formal tone. But recently, that’s been turned on its head as brands use bright and unusual shades that are seen as calming and almost therapeutic. They’re also really eye-catching. Remember when Patek Philippe’s Tiffany Blue Nautilus fetched nearly AUD$5 million at auction?
Zenith’s new Boutique Editions are much more accessible and come in two sizes – a 41mm model and two 36mm unisex variants. All three watches have the DEFY Skyline’s distinctive aesthetic. The eight-sided case is crafted from stainless steel and is paired with an unusual dodecagonal bezel—that’s 12-sided—and Zenith uses a mixture of brushed and polished areas to really get that bezel to pop.
All three models have an ice-blue dial with a complex construction. Each dial features a grid pattern built from rows of small stars, reproductions of the brand’s logo. These sit on a sunray-patterned metallic base. The effect is stunning and Zenith has wisely given the watches a matching ice-blue date window for a cohesive feel.
The larger model features an additional quirky sub-dial that records 1/10th of a second, rotating fully once every 10 seconds. This model is powered by Zenith’s El Primero 3620 automatic movement and boasts an impressive 60-hour power reserve.
The 36mm model comes in two variations – with either a plain bezel or 52 brilliant cut diamonds. There’s no sub-second dial and these watches are equipped with the in-house Elite 670 calibre. All three watches feature the signature star-shaped rotor.
The DEFY Skyline Ice Blue Boutique Edition in 41mm is available exclusively on the Zenith online boutique. The two 36mm versions are available from both physical and online Zenith boutiques.
Zenith Defy Skyline Boutique Edition 41mm 03.9300.3620/15.I001
Diameter: 41mm
Case: Stainless Steel
Movement: El Primero 3620 Automatic
Straps: Stainless Steel Bracelet and Ice Blue Rubber Strap
Water Resistance: 100M
Price: AUD$13,400
Zenith Defy Skyline Boutique Edition 36mm 03.9400.670/15.I001
Diameter: 36mm
Case: Stainless Steel
Movement: Elite 670
Straps: Stainless Steel Bracelet and Ice Blue Rubber Strap
Water Resistance: 100M
Price: AUD$12,800
Zenith Defy Skyline Boutique Edition 36mm 16.9400.670/15.I001
Diameter: 36mm
Case: Stainless Steel
Bezel: 52 VVS Brilliant-Cut Diamonds
Movement: Elite 670
Straps: Stainless Steel Bracelet and Ice Blue Rubber Strap
Water Resistance: 100M
Price: AUD$18,100
