Clad entirely in black ceramic, the DEFY Skyline and DEFY Skyline Skeleton take on a distinct aura of their own. At once brilliant, bold and sleek, the collection’s modernistic form takes on a decidedly dark look that’s as visually outstanding as it is resilient.
Introduced in 2022 as the modern successor to the ZENITH DEFY line of rugged and boldly designed wristwatches from 1969, the DEFY Skyline collection builds on its legacy with the same singular edginess and a new level of performance from the Manufacture’s latest generation of the seminal El Primero high-frequency calibre. The collection’s two main pillars – the DEFY Skyline and DEFY Skyline Skeleton – now take on alluring blacked-out look with two new references crafted entirely in black ceramic – including the bracelet.
Much harder than traditional metals and alloys like stainless steel, ceramic boasts many properties that make it a compelling choice for all-situations watches like the DEFY Skyline and DEFY Skyline Skeleton. Its extreme hardness, which requires diamond-tipped tools to cut the sharp lines of the DEFY Skyline and decorate it with a mix of satin-brushed and polished surfaces, makes ceramic highly resistant to scratches and visible wear. Unlike blackened metal elements which are simply plated, the ceramic itself is black and will never wear off. Even the integrated bracelet that follows the contours of the case is crafted in black ceramic. A black patterned rubber strap with a blackened steel folding clasp is also included, and swapping between it and the ceramic bracelet is effortless using the quick strap-change mechanism integrated directly in the case back.
