Zenith LVMH Watch Week 2023 Novelties

WPS member · Zenith forum

35 replies9792 views18 photos

Kong's comprehensive photo report from LVMH Watch Week 2023 offers an invaluable first look at Zenith's latest novelties. His detailed images and specifications provide the WatchProSite community with crucial insights into the new DEFY Skyline Skeleton, 36mm DEFY Skyline, and the limited-edition DEFY Extreme Glacier, setting the stage for informed discussion and appreciation of Zenith's horological direction.

Some quick photographs of the Zenith's pieces shown in the forth edition of the LVMH Watch Week 2023 at the Capella in Sentosa Island, Singapore.

At Villa Zenith ...

Novelties presentation ...

Starting with the most interesting - DEFY Skyline Skeleton. 41mm case with 2 options - Blue or Black toned Openworked dials. Best part both options come with rubber strap with starry sky pattern and folding clasp.

DEFY SKYLINE SKELETON Silicon escape-wheel and lever. Screwed-in crown. Full Interchangeable strap system.

Movement: El Primero 3620, automatic

Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)

Power reserve approx. 60 hours

Functions : Hours and minutes in the centre. 1/10th of a second counter at 6 o’clock.

Finishes: Special oscillating weight with satined finishings

Material: Stainless steel Water resistance: 10 ATM

Case: 41mm Dial: Blue-toned or 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 and folding clasp. Comes with a rubber strap with starry sky pattern and folding clasp.

Next is the 36-MM DEFY Skyline series, unisex size for all wrists with Starry sky pattern on the dial, featuring screwed-in crown. Available in 3 colour options - Blue, pink and light green; with or without paved diamond pave bezel. All comes with matching colour rubber strap with starry sky pattern and folding clasp.

DEFY SKYLINE

Full Interchangeable strap system

Movement: ELITE 670 Frequency 28 800 VpH (4 Hz)

Power reserve approx. 50 hours

Functions : Hours and minutes in the centre. Central seconds hand. Date indication at 3 o’clock Finishes: New star-shaped oscillating weight with satined finishings

Material: Stainless steel Carats ~1.00 cts Brilliant quality: F -G Bezel 52 VVS brilliant-cut diamonds

Water resistance: 10 ATM

Case: 36 mm

Dial: Sunray-patterned

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 and folding clasp. Comes with a matching colour rubber strap with starry sky pattern and folding clasp.

The 45mm titanium DEFY Extreme Glacier, limited to 50 pieces, is a follow-up of the 2021 DEFY Extreme Desert launched in 2021.

This certified Chronometer 1/100th of a second chronograph features two escapements : for the Chronograph (360,000 VpH - 50 Hz) while the Watch (36,000 VpH - 5 Hz).

Pusher-protectors and bezel are of Calcedony.

DEFY EXTREME GLACIER

Movement: El Primero 9004, automatic Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz) Power reserve approx. 60 hours

Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. Small seconds at 9 o’clock 1/100th of a second Chronograph: Central chronograph hand that makes one turn each second, 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, 60-second counter at 6 o’clock, Chronograph power-reserve indication at 12 o'clock

Finishes: Special oscillating weight with satined finishings

Material: Brushed Titanium & Calcedony

Water resistance: 20 ATM

Case: 45 mm

Dial: Tinted sapphire with three silver-coloured counters Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Bracelet & Buckle: Brushed titanium bracelet. Full Interchangeable strap system. 2 straps included: 1 White Rubber with folding buckle & 1 Velcro. Titanium Triple folding clasp.

Finally, 41mm DEFY Skyline Boutique Edition with 1/10th of a second subdial at 9H position. The anthracite dial, engraved with a rose gold motif and set with rose gold hands and hour markers. This piece should be viewed in steel, as the eye-catching twinkling effect of the four-pointed stars is a challenge to capture on photograph and perhaps even on video.

DEFY SKYLINE BOUTIQUE EDITION

Movement: El Primero 3620 Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)

Power reserve approx. 60 hours Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. 1/10th of a second indication at 9 o’clock. Date indication at 3 o'clock Finishes: Special oscillating weight with satined finishings.

Material: Stainless steel

Water resistance: 10 ATM

Case: 41mm Dial: Slate-grey-toned sunray-patterned

Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Hands: Gold-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Bracelet & Buckle: Stainless steel bracelet and folding clasp. Comes with a black rubber strap with starry sky pattern and folding clasp.

DEFY Skyline Boutique Edition

DEFY EXTREME GLACIER

Which piece/s pique your interest ?

Kong

Key Points from the Discussion

The 36mm DEFY Skyline, particularly the green and pink dial options without diamonds, is seen as a versatile and appealing size, potentially wearing like a 38mm and complementing other 36mm watches.
The DEFY Skyline Skeleton's silicon escapement system is highlighted for its potential to offer enhanced reliability and an impressive power reserve, drawing parallels to similar advancements in other luxury brands.
Zenith's historical claim to the first automatic chronograph is a point of discussion, with a notable anecdote recalling Heuer's rapid response to Zenith's announcement in 1969.
The 1/10th of a second counter on the DEFY Skyline Skeleton and Boutique Edition is noted as a distinctive feature, though its practical application in daily wear prompts questions among collectors.
Kong provided official pricing in CHF and SGD for all featured models, including the DEFY Skyline Skeleton (10,900 CHF), DEFY Extreme Glacier (25,900 CHF), and various DEFY Skyline configurations.
The trend towards more reasonable watch sizes, specifically 36mm to 42mm, is observed, with Kong noting that proper lug design is crucial for larger pieces to wear comfortably.

The Discussion

Kong

Jan 14, 2023

From the spec sheets, and for your ref ... not sure if taxes are included though. DEFY SKYLINE SKELETON Price 10900 CHF/SGD 16,100 DEFY EXTREME GLACIER Price 25900 CHF/SGD 38,300 DEFY SKYLINE BOUTIQUE EDITION Price 8900 CHF/SGD 13,200 DEFY SKYLINE Price 8400 CHF/SGD 12,400 DEFY SKYLINE (with diamond bezel) Price 11900 CHF/SGD 17,600

Kong

Jan 14, 2023

Vlad, you are not alone. Then someone mentioned to me this octagonal case with faceted bezel seems to be by Zenith first (think in 1969) before any other brands. Kong

oyster case

Jan 14, 2023

and really add to my understanding. Very grateful. I am really intrigued by the 36mm Defy without diamonds. The green looks tasty! Actually so does the pink, who knows it could be a first pink dial for me. The blue is nice too but less fresh. This design in 36mm should wear like a 38mm, perfect as a compliment to my OPs and DJ 36. I'm anxious to see for myself. The Ltd Ed chrono is interesting for it's new materials but the design is very ROO 44 derivative and the price is a little shocking. The

LiftAngle51

Jan 14, 2023

Did you know Zenith was earlier with the hectagonal form? And almost with the first automatic chronograph.

LiftAngle51

Jan 14, 2023

Zenith did a great job on this Kong. Thank u for giving a view on the Louie watch week. The skeleton Defy is a pretty ticker. The silicon escapement system would give an owner an enjoyable worry free watch, I own one and it put the power reserve up to an astonishing 5 days, it’s a Richemont. The 36mm with the colorful theme made for summer. Despite it are 36mm Defy’s, i guess Zenith would test if this line sell well, they will fire up a 41mm line. The extreme at 45mm is a bit too masculine for m

LiftAngle51

Jan 14, 2023

You never too old to learn 😉. As Zenith want to be the first, Jack was a little bit quicker with a Heuer as the first automatic chronograph. He was reading a newspaper and spit out some coffee out of his mouth when he read about a revolution in watch making Zenith achieved. So Heuer speeded up the press conference to bring the news to the world as the first watch brand who made the first automatic chronograph.

Continue the conversation

This thread is active on the Zenith forum with 35 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.

Join the Discussion →

Key Points from the Discussion

Continue the conversation

More from this Forum