While many are all about the Zenith chronographs, I’ve been finding myself drawn to the various interesting things they’ve been doing in the three-handed Defy line. There’s just something about that high-beat three-hander that just tickles me. And while I normally don’t care for an all-dark (aka stealth) watch, this new Zenith Defy Diver duo has just enough yellow in it to make it interesting.
Zenith Defy Extreme Diver Shadow: what it is
Let’s start with the first of this bumblebee duo – the Zenith Defy Extreme Diver Shadow. This one claims direct descent from the original 1969 Defy dive watch, and we can see those sweet vintage looks in the lines of the design. For me, this shows through most strongly in the broad handset and applied indices, as well as the (relatively) thin divers bezel.
Keeping it quite modern, though, you’ve got a bead-blasted titanium case protecting the El Primero movement, as well as a sapphire crystal. Oh, and that thin divers bezel? It’s ceramic, certainly not a material you would have had in 1969 on a watch like this. It’s rated for 600m, and comes with three straps – a titanium bracelet, a black rubber strap, and a black-and-yellow textile strap.
Zenith Defy Revival Diver: what it is
This brings us to the second bumblebee of the duo, the Zenith Defy Revival Diver. While the Extreme Diver Shadow just took inspiration from 1969, the Zenith Defy Revival Diver makes itself a faithful recreation of the original A3648 from 1969. The titanium case is smaller (37mm, diminutive by today’s standards). The case itself retains the original 14-sided bezel, floated above the more-standard round bezel.
While the titanium of the Zenith Defy Revival Diver is indeed darkened – like the Extreme – there’s a lot more yellow here, and frankly, this feels more like a yellow watch. It’s just hard to miss how bright it is, and it brings a good dose of fun to a dark watch. Oh, and should also note that this watch does not have the El Primero movement in it. Instead, it’s a 4Hz Elite 760 calibre doing the work, complete with a 60-hour power reserve.
Wrapping things up
Both of these watches are currently available, both in boutiques and online. If you want to pick up the Zenith Defy Extreme Diver Shadow, with it’s trio of straps, you’re looking at $12,300. On the other hand, if you want the full vintage effect (with modern materials and techniques), the Zenith Defy Revival Diver can be yours for $8,200. We’re working on a loaner, so later this year we should have a hands-on review for you. zenith-watches.com
Zenith Defy Diver Tech Specs
DEFY EXTREME DIVER SHADOW
- Reference: 97.9600.3620/21.I300
- Key points: Automatic El Primero 3 hands. Shadow signature (microblasted titanium). Black ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel filled with SuperLuminova. Date indication at 3 o’clock. Stop-second mechanism. Screwed-in crown. Helium valve. 600M Water resistance
- Movement: El Primero 3620 automatic
- Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
- Power reserve: 60 hours
- Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. Central seconds hand. Date indication at 3 o’clock
- Finishes: Star-shaped oscillating weight with satined finishings
- Price: 11’900 CHF / 12’900 Euros / 12’300 USD
- Material: Microblasted titanium
- Water resistance: 60 ATM
- Case: 42.5mm / Thickness : 15.5 mm / Lug to lug : 47.4 mm
- Dial: Black & yellow matte with starry sky pattern
- Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
- Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
- Bracelet & Buckle: Comes with 3 straps : Black “cordura effect” rubber with folding clasp. Microblasted titanium bracelet with folding clasp included. Black & yellow fabric strap with pin buckle included
DEFY REVIVAL DIVER
- Reference: 97.A3648.670/21.M3648
- Key points: Automatic Elite movement. Octogonal case with iconic 14-sided bezel. Shadow signature (microblasted titanium). Unidirectional rotating bezel with yellow tinted sapphire insert. Screwed-in crown. 600M Water resistance
- Movement: Elite 670 automatic
- Frequency: 28,800 VpH (4 Hz)
- Power reserve: 60 hours
- Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. Central seconds hand. Date indication at 4:30 o’clock
- Finishes: Oscillating weight with “Côtes de Genève” finishings
- Price: 7’900 CHF / 8’600 Euros / 8’200 USD
- Material: Microblasted titanium
- Water resistance: 60 ATM
- Case: 37mm / Thickness : 15.5 mm / Lug to lug : 44 mm
- Dial: Black & yellow with SuperLuminova SLN C1
- Hour markers: White transferred with SuperLuminova SLN C1
- Hands: Yellow painted with SuperLuminova SLN C1
- Bracelet & Buckle: Microblasted titanium “ladder” bracelet with folding clasp.
