Two new divers’ watches are in the spotlight for Zenith this Watches and Wonders with the launch of the Defy Extreme Diver and the Defy Revival A3648, both of which have diving at their core. Let’s take a closer look.
A History of Diving at Zenith
Beginning in 1969, some of the very first Zenith Defy timepieces were created especially for diving. The reliability, legibility, and ruggedness of these timepieces made them the perfect tool for early recreational divers. Incorporating all the necessary diving features, including uni-directional bezels, water resistance to 600 metres, and luminescent markings, not only helped keep divers safe under the water but started a design trend that continues today.
Defy Diver Extreme
The new Defy Diver Extreme is today’s latest model and comes with a water resistance of 600 metres, or 1969 feet if you are into numerology! This brand-new model is inspired by the brand’s watchmaking references from the past, but at the same time, includes all the codes from the modern Defy line. Housed in a 42.5mm angular titanium case, the Defy Diver Extreme is as tough as they come as titanium boasts a significant weight-to-strength ratio and is resistant to salt water. The case is also equipped with a helium release valve for saturation diving and comes with crowd guards to stop the crown from being inadvertently knocked when underwater. It is topped with a blue ceramic dodecagonal unidirectional rotating bezel that has enhanced ridging around the outside for easier manipulation with diving gloves.
In terms of the readings, everything is enhanced with Super-LumiNova for optimal reading in low light. From the bezel to the indexes and the hands, the luminescence is white in the day but coloured differently in low light for even better legibility. The deep blue dial provides a contrasting backdrop for all the information and is decorated with a geometric pattern of engraved four-pointed stars. The timepiece is powered by the El Primero Calibre 3620-SC and comes with a titanium bracelet, a rubber strap, and an elongated recycled fishnet NATO strap that is designed to go over a wetsuit.
Defy Revival A3648
The Defy Revival takes us right back to the year 1969 with a 37mm stainless steel timepiece that is a remake of one of the very first Zenith diving models. The original steel fourteen-sided bezel design is present, but positioned above a round rotating bezel. For the dial, all the funky orange and black markings are in attendance, giving this watch its distinctive design. The Plexiglass has been exchanged for sapphire crystal, but we are sure no one will mind that. This Defy Revival also keeps the 600-metre water resistance, a feat of engineering in such a small timepiece that comes with a sapphire crystal case back, offering a view on the Elite automatic movement powering the timepiece. And like the original, this timepiece comes on a five-link steel bracelet modelled after the original bracelet crafted by the famous Gay Frères company.
Both timepieces will surely attract divers for their features and non-divers for their design and can be admired at Watches and Wonders for those visiting next weekend.
