Since 1969, the ZENITH DEFY collection has stood as a symbol of unwavering strength and precision. Nicknamed the “time safe” for its robust construction and ability to protect the movement like a vault, the DEFY quickly became a benchmark in durability. Among its most iconic iterations was the DEFY Diver A3648, known as the DEFY Plongeur, a true professional dive watch featuring a 600-meter water resistance and a rotating bezel. In 2024, ZENITH reaffirmed its commitment to extreme performance with the launch of the modern DEFY Extreme Diver and a faithful revival of the coveted A3648. Today, both models are reimagined in striking micro-blasted titanium “Shadow” editions, fusing vintage inspiration with bold, contemporary design. These stealthy new interpretations are built for modern adventurers and ready to descend into the abyss.
Engineered for the most demanding underwater exploration, the DEFY Extreme Diver and DEFY Revival Diver are crafted from lightweight yet exceptionally robust titanium. Their bold, angular DEFY cases are entirely micro-blasted to achieve a matte finish that accentuates their strong, architectural lines and gives them a distinct stealth aesthetic. While their dark tones and subdued textures evoke a sense of technical sophistication, vibrant yellow accents inject a burst of energy and high visibility, making these timepieces as functional as they are striking.
DEFY Extreme Diver: Designed for the Deep, Built for the Extreme
A modern descendant of ZENITH’s pioneering 1969 DEFY dive watches, the DEFY Extreme Diver is a contemporary instrument engineered for the most challenging underwater conditions. Housed in a 42.5mm micro-blasted titanium case, this rugged timepiece is as functional as it is striking. Sitting atop the fixed dodecagonal base is a unidirectional rotating bezel in black ceramic, fully filled with Super-LumiNova for optimal legibility. Precision operation is ensured, while the fluted bezel edge allows for easy handling, even with gloves.
Designed for saturation diving, the watch boasts a 600-meter water resistance and features a helium escape valve, alongside a screw-down crown flanked by protective guards. The star-patterned black dial is equipped with C1 Super-LumiNova markers and hands, punctuated by vivid yellow accents that ensure visibility in low-light conditions.
In a rare feat for a watch of such depth rating, ZENITH has integrated an exhibition case back that reveals the El Primero 3620 automatic movement, finished in a sleek modern black. This time-only calibre beats at a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour and features a paramagnetic escapement with key components crafted from silicon. The bidirectional winding system provides a robust 60-hour power reserve.
Completing the DEFY Extreme Diver is a micro-blasted titanium three-link bracelet, as well as two interchangeable strap options. The first is a durable black rubber strap with a Cordura-effect texture and folding clasp. The second, is a black and yellow single-piece fabric strap secured with a pin buckle. Thanks to the integrated quick strap-change mechanism, switching between options is effortless and tool-free.
DEFY Revival Diver: Heritage Reborn in Titanium
A faithful recreation of the original DEFY A3648 diver’s watch from 1969, the DEFY Revival Diver brings vintage charm into the modern era with a dark, faceted 37mm micro-blasted titanium case. Staying true to the original DEFY design language, the signature fourteen-sided bezel is retained, now placed above a round unidirectional rotating bezel crafted in titanium and fitted with a yellow-tinted sapphire insert. For improved ergonomics, the screw-down crown is positioned at 4:30, just as it was on the original. Like its contemporary counterpart, the DEFY Revival Diver boasts a water resistance of 600 meters, or 1,969 feet, a subtle nod to the year the DEFY collection was born.
The bold black-and-yellow theme carries over to the dial, where a matte black surface is energized by yellow accents on the hands and minute track. The hands and hour markers are filled with white Super-LumiNova, ensuring clarity and visibility in the darkest depths.
Powering the DEFY Revival Diver is the automatic Elite 670 calibre, which displays the hours, minutes, seconds, and date. Remarkably, despite the 600-meter depth rating and compact size, the watch features an exhibition case back offering a clear view of the movement. The oscillating weight is adorned with Geneva stripes and skeletonized in the shape of the ZENITH star. Operating at a frequency of 4 Hz, the Elite 670 delivers a power reserve of 50 hours.
The watch is fitted with the iconic Gay Frères style bracelet, crafted in lightweight titanium with the same micro-blasted finish as the case. This enhances wearing comfort while the titanium folding clasp ensures a secure and refined fit.
The DEFY Extreme Diver and the DEFY Revival Diver are available at all ZENITH boutiques, online and in-store, as well as from authorized retailers worldwide.
DEFY EXTREME DIVER
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: 50 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 bracelet with folding clasp.
