The late ‘60s and early ‘70s have been a watershed second in luxurious watch design. As the standard Swiss trade started to face stiff competitors from reasonably priced quartz actions and a quickly advancing Japanese watchmaking sector, manufacturers more and more turned towards wild colours and imaginative sculptural varieties to face out on retailer cabinets. Zenith emerged from this period as probably the most visually and mechanically imaginative manufacturers within the enterprise, and this repute can largely be laid on the toes of two iconic sequence launched in 1969. The primary, after all, is the El Primero chronograph line, however the three-hand Defy sequence has confirmed to be arguably simply as enduring and influential on the model’s lineup as its extra complicated stablemate. Whereas Zenith has spent the previous few years reimagining early references within the El Primero catalog, the model has stored the Defy sequence strictly up to date — till now. The brand new limited-edition Zenith Defy Revival A3642 is a hyper-faithful revival of one of many very first Defy references, combining flamboyant faceted case design with a charismatic fumé dial therapy and totally trendy construct high quality.
The Zenith Defy Revival A3642 is constructed utilizing the unique Defy manufacturing plans from 1969, and this ultra-accurate reissue of the ‘60s unique begins with an precisely sized 37mm chrome steel case. Though these dimensions could seem compact on paper, this starkly geometric case ought to carry a good quantity of wrist presence by means of its use of type and ending. The general profile of this hooded-lug case is octagonal with sharply faceted polished surfaces, and the one curvature Zenith permits to enter this angular design is thru its half-moon lower chamfers. Along with giving this straightforward case format a way of dimension and complexity in photos, these chamfers additionally work so as to add splashes of contrasting ending with sharply brushed surfaces. The 14-sided angular bezel can also be shared straight with the 1969 unique, however inside this bezel, the model opts for a contemporary sapphire crystal for larger scratch resistance. The outsized screw-down pillbox crown at 3 o’clock provides a visible trace to the Defy Revival A3642’s sporting functionality with out falling into recognizable dive watch iconography. Round again, Zenith provides the second main replace to the Defy Revival A3642’s design, with a sapphire show caseback showcasing the in-house motion inside. Like the unique mannequin, nonetheless, the idiosyncratic design of the Defy Revival A3642 hides a powerful degree of sturdiness, together with a hefty 300 meters of water resistance.
Just like the case, the dial of the Zenith Defy Revival A3642 is a main instance of the wildly inventive and adventurous design local weather of the late ‘60s. The utilized rhodium indices instantly stand out in preliminary photos, with a ridged faceted design that ought to create dramatic highlights on the wrist. Zenith’s use of broad faceted sword arms is carried over straight from the unique mannequin, as effectively, and helps to offer this straightforward dial a daring sporting edge. However maybe probably the most clearly classic aspect right here is the dial floor itself. This smoky, cool-brown gradient instantly stands out in a contemporary market dominated by blues and greens, making a uniquely classic look whereas sustaining a flexible impartial coloration palette. Like so many Zenith designs from this period, the Defy Revival A3642 makes use of a trapezoidal cutout date window at 4:30 and, as with the El Primero line, this window ought to show to be some extent of rivalry with lovers. Though Zenith does proceed the outer seconds scale round this cutout, the off-center placement noticeably impacts the visible stability of the dial general.
Zenith powers the Defy Revival A3642 with its in-house Elite 670 automated motion. Just like the motion within the unique Defy from 1969, this can be a 28,800 bph powerplant, however outdoors of beat charge, the 2 actions have little in frequent. The Elite 670 provides a decent 50 hours of energy reserve, together with an ornate star-shaped customized rotor and vintage-style matte ending all through. To finish this late ‘60s look, Zenith equips the Defy Revival A3642 with its immediately recognizable chrome steel ladder bracelet. The ladder bracelet, with its distinctive gaps between heart hyperlinks, was a trademark of many interval Zenith designs, and enhances the daring and offbeat look of the case and dial handsomely in preliminary photos.
With a remarkably trustworthy revival of the unique Zenith Defy design and an ethos that also feels daring and distinctive at the moment, the restricted version Zenith Defy Revival A3642 provides a brand new dimension to Zenith’s present crop of classic reissue fashions. Solely 250 examples of the Zenith Defy Revival A3642 might be made, and the watch is accessible now by means of approved sellers. MSRP for the Zenith Defy Revival A3642 stands at $7,000 as of press time. For extra particulars, go to the model’s web site.
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