On the occasion of LVMH Watch Week 2026, held in Milan, ZENITH unveils a series of major new releases within its DEFY collection, a strategic pillar of the Le Locle-based Manufacture. Presented alongside the other LVMH watchmaking Maisons, these creations reaffirm DEFY’s central role as a laboratory for contemporary design and mechanical innovation at ZENITH.
A direct heir to the original DEFY launched in 1969, the collection has established itself over the years as a benchmark in watchmaking architecture. In 2026, ZENITH continues its development through a plurality of interpretations, exploring contrasts, geometries and materials while maintaining strong aesthetic coherence. Inspired by the energy and lines of modern metropolises, DEFY embodies a constant dialogue between watchmaking, architecture and urban design.
Among the new releases presented, the DEFY Skyline Skeleton appears in an unprecedented version combining a black ceramic case with a movement featuring gold-tone finishes. Fully skeletonized, it highlights the El Primero calibre and its permanent tenth-of-a-second indicator an exclusive technical signature of the Maison offering a dynamic reading of time and a bold sculptural aesthetic.
The DEFY Skyline Chronograph, in turn, adopts black ceramic, reinforcing its architectural and contemporary character. Powered by the El Primero 3600 calibre, it stands out for its ability to measure and display tenths of a second, while maintaining optimal legibility and great versatility on the wrist.
Another highlight of this edition, the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon Skeleton marks an important milestone in the evolution of the collection. As the first skeletonized tourbillon in the line, this fully openworked model reveals a complex mechanical architecture, suspended at the heart of a rose gold case. Produced as a limited edition, this creation embodies the union of high technical mastery, expertise in skeletonization, and aesthetic sophistication.
ZENITH also enriches the DEFY Skyline 36 with the introduction of a silver dial, available in a clean version or set with diamonds. Designed to adapt to contemporary lifestyles, this iteration preserves the collection’s emblematic geometric codes in a more compact and versatile format.
Finally, the Maison continues its heritage work with the DEFY Revival A3643, a faithful re-edition of an iconic 1969 reference. Featuring an octagonal case, a fourteen-sided bezel and a silver dial, this creation pays tribute to the bold aesthetics of the original DEFY while integrating modern watchmaking standards.
Through these new releases unveiled at LVMH Watch Week 2026, ZENITH reaffirms its vision of resolutely contemporary watchmaking, where innovation, heritage and architecture come together to push the boundaries of design and precision.
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