Zenith has a reputation for classical chronographs — historically accurate designs from the golden age of watch design, all powered (of course) by the iconic El Primero. It’s a good reputation to have, but Zenith in 2024 is more than that. The brand is capable of coming up with cutting-edge sports watch every inch as cool as anything the competitors can do. Case in point: the Zenith Defy Skyline White Ceramic Skeleton.

Now, we’ve seen this style of Defy Skyline, with the star-like open worked dial before. It debuted in 2023 in this configuration with a steel case, and blue or black dial treatments. Since then one of the most interesting variants has been the second instalment in the “Night Surfer” collaborative series with Time+Tide. This model featured a micro-blasted titanium case and a horizontally graduated blue dial. It’s an excitingly avant contemporary on the classic design, and this new white ceramic wonder is a release very much in the same vein. 

This crisp white interpretation of the Defy case (which dates back to 1969, btw) is a strong, angular design only heightened by the brand’s use of materials and treatments. First of all, the 41mm case takes on an even more contemporary feel thanks to the use of a pure white, ultra-hard ceramic case and bracelet. In years past, there might have been some scepticism about how many people could pull off an all-white watch, but these days we’re much more open to the concept (and it’s a perfect fit for summer). The dial of this time-only watch serves as a perfect counterpoint, using the open-worked design that debuted last year. Here, the star-like architecture has been treated in blue, with a particularly mercurial shade that seems to shift in tone depending on the light. It’s a bold design in all the right ways.

Finally, the caliber. It might not be a chronograph, but it’s still an El Primero. The El Primero 3620 SK is a high-frequency automatic featuring a 1/10th of a second indicator that’s driven directly from the 5Hz escapement. Making for a fast-moving party trick at the bottom of the dial. As an extra treat, the star-shaped rotor has been given a blue makeover too.

Tech Specs: Zenith Defy Skyline White Ceramic Skeleton

Movement: Automatic-winding El Primero 3620; 55-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, 1/10th of a second counter at six
Case: 41mm; white ceramic; water-resistant to 100m
Dial: Blue-toned openwork
Strap: White ceramic bracelet
Price: CHF 16,900

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