Zenith is broadening its most contemporary collection with a new model that combines a high-performance complication with the warm, heavy presence of precious metal. The DEFY Skyline Tourbillon has been released for the first time entirely in 18-ct rose gold, paired with a striking new dial color that creates a direct visual link to the brand's home. This release elevates the DEFY Skyline, a line that has quickly become a modern cornerstone for the Manufacture since its introduction in 2022, into a new territory of assertive luxury while retaining its core technical-first identity. The watch continues the DEFY legacy, which is built on a foundation of boldness and architectural design.
The DEFY collection itself serves as the modern successor to the original 1969 ZENITH DEFY line, a series of watches known for their robustness and distinctive case shapes. That same spirit is channeled into the modern Skyline, which translates the resilience of its predecessor into an urban, architectural context. The 41mm case of this new tourbillon model makes this connection clear. Its octagonal shape is defined by sharp, decisive lines and a faceted, dodecagonal (12-sided) bezel that sits atop the angular case, creating a complex interplay of surfaces that define the watch's character.
Courtesy of Zenith
Crafted from solid 18-ct rose gold, the case takes on a new personality. The warm hue of the metal highlights the sophisticated finishing that is applied throughout. The design's geometry is emphasized by a dynamic contrast between broad, satin-brushed surfaces and the sharp, polished chamfers that outline its edges. This meticulous finishing, especially on the faceted bezel and the integrated lugs, allows the watch to catch light from any angle, revealing a new perspective on its structured design that feels both technical and precious. The case is built for wear, featuring a practical screw-in crown that helps secure its 10 ATM, or 100-meter, water resistance.
The dial of this rose gold edition introduces a deep, new "brick red" color. This specific shade is not a random choice; it is a direct chromatic tribute to the ZENITH Manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland. The color echoes the distinctive red-and-white brickwork of the historic building, forging a tangible connection between this cutting-edge timepiece and the brand's long-standing heritage. This warm, earthy tone provides a rich backdrop for the rose gold hands and markers, creating a harmonious and legible display that radiates warmth.
This dial is far from flat. It is adorned with a mesmerizing, engraved pattern of four-pointed stars, a signature of the Skyline series. This pattern isn't just printed; it's meticulously engraved into the metallic surface, creating a sunray effect where the stars appear to radiate outwards from the dial's center. On this particular model, the pattern is re-centered, with the starry sky motif radiating outward from the tourbillon aperture at the 6 o'clock position. This subtle shift focuses the entire visual energy of the dial toward the watch's primary mechanical feature.
Courtesy of Zenith
At the 6 o'clock position, the watch proudly displays its namesake complication: the tourbillon. Set within a circular aperture, the mechanism is in constant motion, providing a captivating mechanical spectacle that contrasts with the geometric stillness of the dial pattern. The tourbillon carriage, shaped like the brand's "double Z" star, makes one complete rotation every 60 seconds. This constant rotation is the physical realization of a mechanical solution designed centuries ago to counteract the effects of gravity on the escapement's precision.
The tourbillon cage itself is a feat of micro-engineering. Composed of 56 individual components, the entire assembly weighs a mere 0.25 grams. This extremely low mass is crucial for efficiency, allowing the mechanism to be driven by the movement's mainspring without consuming excessive energy. Its high-frequency operation, which it shares with the movement, makes its smooth, continuous rotation even more impressive to observe, serving as a functional seconds indicator.
Despite the complexity of the dial, legibility remains a priority. The applied hour markers are faceted and crafted from rose gold, matching the case material. Both the markers and the larger, faceted rose-gold hands are generously filled with Super-LumiNova SLN C1. This luminescent material ensures that the time can be read clearly in low-light conditions, maintaining the watch's practicality as a daily-wear item.
Powering this intricate timepiece is the El Primero 3630 calibre, an automatic high-frequency movement developed and manufactured entirely in-house by ZENITH. This "engine" is a modern descendant of the brand's most famous creation, adhering to the high-performance principles that ZENITH established decades ago. The movement's 266 components work in concert to deliver both the time-telling functions and the demanding operation of the tourbillon.
Courtesy of Zenith
A defining characteristic of this calibre is its high frequency. The El Primero 3630 beats at 5 Hz, or 36,000 vibrations per hour (VpH). This rapid oscillation, a hallmark of ZENITH's El Primero movements since 1969, allows for greater precision and stability over time. This high-frequency beat is particularly notable in a tourbillon, as it requires significant engineering to achieve. The movement provides a power reserve of 50 hours.
Turning the watch over reveals a view of this impressive calibre through a sapphire crystal caseback. The movement's architecture has been designed to be as visually engaging as the dial. For the first time in the DEFY Skyline, the oscillating weight is also crafted from 18-ct rose gold. It is skeletonized into the shape of an openworked five-pointed star, the ZENITH logo, which not only looks striking but also allows for a less obstructed view of the calibre's finishing beneath it.
The finishing on the movement plates continues the dial's theme. The surfaces feature a contemporary 3D laser-engraved "côtes de Genève" motif. Instead of traditional parallel stripes, this pattern is applied in a sunray pattern that radiates outward from the tourbillon, mirroring the starry sky engraving on the dial. This thoughtful design choice creates a visual harmony between the front and back of the watch, drawing the eye toward the beating heart of the mechanism from either side.
This dedication to in-house movement development is central to ZENITH's identity. Founded in 1865 in Le Locle, the company was the first vertically integrated Swiss watch manufacture, meaning it brought all aspects of watchmaking under one roof. This capability has allowed ZENITH to continuously innovate and control the quality of its timepieces from start to finish.
Courtesy of Zenith
This history of innovation is most famously embodied by the original El Primero calibre from 1969. It was the world's first automatic, high-frequency chronograph calibre, a revolutionary achievement that cemented ZENITH's reputation as a master of precision. That same relentless pursuit of technical excellence is evident in the new El Primero 3630, which carries the high-frequency legacy forward into the realm of the tourbillon.
The DEFY collection is ZENITH's platform for technical innovation and bold design, while other lines like the CHRONOMASTER celebrate the mastery of chronographs, and the PILOT collection pays homage to the brand's aviation legacy. ZENITH's timepieces have famously accompanied pioneers, including Louis Blériot during his flight across the English Channel and Felix Baumgartner on his record-breaking stratospheric free-fall.
True to the versatile spirit of the DEFY Skyline collection, this rose gold model is not limited to a single look. The watch is delivered with two distinct strap options that fundamentally change its character. The first is an integrated H-link bracelet, crafted entirely from 18-ct rose gold. It tapers smoothly from the case to the folding clasp and features the same meticulous satin-brushed finish with polished bevels as the case.
The second option is a sporty strap made of brick-red rubber, perfectly matching the deep, warm tone of the dial. This strap features a textured pattern of raised squares and a rose gold clasp. Swapping from the full gold bracelet to the rubber strap transforms the watch from a statement piece of jewelry into a more casual, contemporary sports watch, making it adaptable to different environments.
Courtesy of Zenith
This versatility is made possible by ZENITH's clever and intuitive quick-change strap system. This mechanism, integrated into the back of the case and the straps themselves, allows the owner to swap between the rose gold bracelet and the rubber strap quickly and easily, without the need for any tools. This practical feature adds a significant layer of value and personalization for the wearer.
The new ZENITH DEFY Skyline Tourbillon in rose gold, with the reference 18.9301.3630/67.I001, is priced at $93,300 USD. This timepiece is available exclusively through ZENITH's physical and online boutiques, as well as a select network of authorized retailers around the world.
Case: 41mm diameter, 18-ct Rose gold material. Octagonal case with faceted bezel. Water resistance 10 ATM. Screwed-in crown.
Movement: El Primero 3630 automatic calibre. Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz). Power reserve approx. 60 hours. 266 components, 34 jewels. Features a one-minute tourbillon at 6 o'clock with a 56-component cage. Rose-gold openworked star-shaped oscillating weight.
Dial: Red Brick-toned sunray starry sky pattern, radiating from the tourbillon aperture. Rose-gold faceted hands and hour markers with Super-LumiNova SLN C1.
Strap: Integrated 18-ct rose gold H-link bracelet with folding clasp. Also includes an additional brick-red rubber strap. Equipped with ZENITH’s quick-change interchangeable strap system.
Price: $93,300.00 USD
Reference Number: 18.9301.3630/67.I001
Notes: First DEFY Skyline Tourbillon in full rose gold. The brick-red dial is inspired by the ZENITH Manufacture's historic building. The high-frequency tourbillon carriage is ultra-lightweight at 0.25g.