For the highly awaited LVMH Watch Week 2025 edition and in celebration of their 160th Anniversary, Zenith proudly kicked off the new year with two exciting additions to their iconic Chronomaster and Defy lines – the Chronomaster Sport Rainbow and Defy Skyline Chronograph Skeleton.
Defy Skyline Chronograph Skeleton and Chronomaster Sport Rainbow
DEFY SKYLINE CHRONOGRAPH SKELETON
On the occasion of the 2025 LVMH Watch Week, ZENITH unveiled a skeletonized version of the Defy Skyline Chronograph. Its edgy openwork design lets you admire every technical detail of its El Primero movement and each moment of precision.
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.
The art of “skeletonization” 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 caliber 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 “skeletonization” 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.
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.
This new version of the DEFY Skyline is powered by an exceptional movement, a skeletonized 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.
A perfect blend of performance and style, the DEFY Skyline Chronograph Skeleton comes in black or blue as the open-worked dial, main plate, bridges, and star-shaped oscillating weight are rendered in matching colour. This exercise in horological architecture is further graced by alternating finishes to accentuate each line and curve.
A testament to its versatile spirit and as for the other models of the DEFY Skyline collection, the Chronograph Skeleton is equipped with a practical interchangeable-strap system. With the simple push of a button at the back of the case, the integrated three-link steel bracelet can be swapped with the additional star-patterned rubber strap that matches the movement’s color.
DEFY SKYLINE CHRONOGRAPH SKELETON
Reference: 03.9500.3600/79.I001
Key points: 1/10th of a second Chronograph movement. Silicon escape-wheel and lever. Screwed-in crown. Full Interchangeable strap system. Openworked dial on skeleton movement.
Movement: El Primero 3600SK automatic
Frequency: 36’000 VpH – 5Hz
Power reserve: approx. 60 hours
Functions: Hours and minutes in the center, small seconds at 9 o’clock, 1/10th of a second Chronograph:
– Central chronograph hand that makes one turn in 10 seconds
– 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock, 60-second counter at 3 o’clock.
Finishes: Blue colored main plate on movement, Special blue colored oscillating weight with satined finishings
Material: Stainless steel
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Case: 42mm
Dial: Blue-toned openworked dial
Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Stainless steel bracelet. 2nd bracelet included: blue rubber with stainless steel folding clasp
The DEFY Skyline Chronograph skeleton is available exclusively from ZENITH’s physical, online boutiques and through authorized retailers worldwide.
DEFY SKYLINE CHRONOGRAPH SKELETON
Reference: 03.9500.3600/78.I001
Key points: 1/10th of a second Chronograph movement. Silicon escape-wheel and lever. Screwed-in crown. Full Interchangeable strap system. Openworked dial on skeleton movement.
Movement: El Primero 3600SK automatic
Frequency: 36’000 VpH – 5Hz
Power reserve: approx. 60 hours
Functions: Hours and minutes in the center, small seconds at 9 o’clock, 1/10th of a second Chronograph:
– Central chronograph hand that makes one turn in 10 seconds
– 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock, 60-second counter at 3 o’clock.
Finishes: Black colored main plate on movement, Special black colored oscillating weight with satined finishings
Material: Stainless steel
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Case: 42mm
Dial: Black-toned openworked dial
Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Stainless steel bracelet. 2nd bracelet included: black rubber with stainless steel folding clasp.
CHRONOMASTER SPORT RAINBOW
Time in Multicolor: Zenith Presented a Rainbow Version of Its Chronomaster Sport, More Luxurious than Ever.
The heir of a long legacy of ZENITH chronographs, the Chronomaster Sport brings together the brand’s unique expertise in high frequency timekeeping with a distinctive sporting style. If sport watches and precious gemstones may not sound like a natural pairing, ZENITH has managed to combine the functionality of its flagship chronograph with exquisite artistry, adorning it with a bevy of colorful gemstones.
Crafted from 18k white gold, this luxurious and colourful take on the Chronomaster Sport follows the version in rose gold set with baguette-cut diamonds, spinels and sapphires that was presented last year. It further asserts ZENITH’s mastery in combining innovative watchmaking and gem-setting. With it, the perfectly balanced 41mm Chronomaster Sport case is crowned by a bezel set in ‘Rainbow’ style with 50 baguette-cut gemstones. To enhance its style while preserving its functionality, a bright and colorful palette of 40 sapphires (~3.9cts) is punctuated with 10 baguette-cut diamonds (~1ct) indicating the 10 seconds. The chromatic harmony results from a unique alliance of gem-setting expertise and style. Sourcing gemstones of this caliber, in perfectly uniform size, cut and colors are an extremely challenging endeavor.
Underneath the sapphire crystal, the lacquered dial features signature 3-6-9 tricolor overlapping counters. The rainbow bezel is echoed with sapphire markers. These are set on a deep black surface creating a perfect backdrop for them to shine. To enhance legibility in the dark, the faceted hour and minute hands are fitted with Super Luminova.
The result of 55 years of perfecting the El Primero, the world’s first automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre, the Chronomaster Sport line is powered by an exceptional version of this legendary movement, the El Primero 3600. Operating at high frequency (5 Hz or 36,000 vph), it has the ability to display 1/10th of second with unprecedented readability as the chronograph second hands makes a complete dial rotation in just 10 seconds. Featuring bi- directional winding, its automatic mechanism delivers a power reserve of 60 hours. Its superb architecture is visible through the sapphire display case back, revealing a blue column wheel and an open rotor with the five-pointed star Zenith.
Exuding dazzling presence on the wrist, the ZENITH Chronomaster Sport Rainbow comes on an integrated brushed and polished 3-link white gold bracelet. It is secured by a safety double folding clasp.
The Chronomaster Sport Rainbow is available exclusively from ZENITH’s physical and online boutiques worldwide.
CHRONOMASTER SPORT RAINBOW
Reference: 45.3104.3600/21.M3100
Key points: Full gem-set rainbow bezel with sapphires. Black dial with rainbow sapphire indices. Automatic El Primero column-wheel chronograph able to measure and display 1/10th of a second. Power reserve of 60 hours. Date indication at 4:30. Stop-second mechanism.
Movement: El Primero 3600 automatic
Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve: approx. 60 hours
Functions: 1/10th of a second chronograph functions. Hours and minutes in the center, small seconds at 9 o’clock.
– Central chronograph hand that makes one turn in 10 seconds
– 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock, 60-second counter at 3 o’clock.
Finishes: Star-shaped oscillating weight with satined finishings
Material: 18-carat white gold with rainbow baguettes sapphires bezel
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Case: 41mm
Dial: Black-lacquered dial with three different-coloured counters
Hour markers: Rainbow sapphire indices
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: White gold bracelet with a double folding clasp
Gem-setting: Total of 5.36 cts
Bezel: 1 ct of diamonds (10 baguettes), 3.9 cts of sapphires (40 baguettes)
Dial: 0.46 cts of sapphires (12 baguettes)
ZENITH: TIME TO REACH YOUR STAR.
www.zenith-watches.com | @zenithwatches
ZENITH exists to inspire individuals to pursue their dreams and make them come true – against all odds. Since its establishment in 1865, ZENITH became the first vertically integrated Swiss watch manufacture, and its watches have accompanied extraordinary figures that dreamt big and strived to achieve the impossible – from Louis Blériot’s history- making flight across the English Channel to Felix Baumgartner’s record-setting stratospheric free-fall jump. ZENITH is also highlighting visionary and trailblazing women by celebrating their accomplishments and creating the DREAMHERS platform where women share their experiences and inspire others to fulfil their dreams.
With innovation as its guiding star, ZENITH exclusively features in-house developed and manufactured movements in all its watches. Since the creation of the El Primero in 1969, the world’s first automatic chronograph calibre, ZENITH has gone on to master high- frequency precision and offers time measurements in fractions of a second, including 1/10th of a second in the Chronomaster collection and 1/100th of a second in the DEFY collection. Because innovation is synonymous with responsibility, the ZENITH HORIZ-ON initiative affirms the brand’s commitments to inclusion & diversity, sustainability, and employee wellbeing. ZENITH has been shaping the future of Swiss watchmaking since 1865, accompanying those who dare to challenge themselves and reach new heights. The time to reach your star is now.
All images courtesy of ZENITH.
Tags: 18k white gold, 1960s, baguette-cut diamonds, black, blue, chronograph, Chronomaster, Chronomaster Sport Rainbow, colorful, craftsmanship, Defy Skyline Chronograph Skeleton, design, diamonds, fashion, gemstones, geometric design, Luxury, luxury brands, luxury fashion, luxury lifestyle, luxury living, luxury sports, luxury timepieces, LVMH Watch Week, multicolor, product design, sports and fashion, steel, three-link steel bracelet, timeless design, Top, watch, watch case, watch strap, watchmaker, watchmaking, Zenith
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