Zenith Introduces Shadow Versions Of The Defy Extreme Diver And Defy Revival Diver
The 600m-water-resistant Defy A3648, known as the Defy Plongeur, was a proper tool watch for professionals when it debuted in 1969. When Zenith launched a Revival version of the A3648 in 2024, brand fans rejoiced. At the same time, the Le Locle-based watchmaker introduced the modern Defy Extreme Diver, a worthy evolution model of the A3648. Now, just over a year later, those two watches come out in striking microblasted titanium attire. Zenith introduces shadow versions of the Defy Extreme Diver and Defy Revival Diver for people with an eye on the future or the past.
New shadow versions of the Zenith Defy Extreme Diver and Defy Revival Diver
We’ll start with the more contemporary creation of the two, the Defy Extreme Diver ref. 97.9600.3620/21.I300 (US$12,300 / €12,900). Zenith already has more lighthearted versions of this watch in the collection, sporting either a black or a blue dial and a touch of bright orange. The new watch has a 42.5mm microblasted titanium case with a 47.4mm length and a 15.5mm thickness. Surrounding its matching dodecagonal titanium ring is a black ceramic unidirectional bezel with Super-LumiNova-filled markings. If you want to go saturation diving with this watch, that’s no problem because it boasts a 600m depth rating and a helium escape valve. On the star-patterned black dial, C1 Super-LumiNova markers and hands punctuated by vivid yellow accents ensure optimum readability in the murkiest conditions.
The exhibition case back of the newest Defy Extreme Diver shows the black-finished El Primero 3620 automatic movement, a surprising feature on a deep-diving watch like this Defy. This 5Hz movement has a paramagnetic escapement, several silicon components, and a 60-hour power reserve.
While this Defy Extreme Diver comes on a microblasted titanium H-link bracelet, buyers also get two interchangeable straps. The first is a durable black rubber strap with a Cordura-like texture and folding clasp. The second is a black and yellow single-piece fabric strap that closes with a pin buckle. Thanks to the integrated quick-change mechanism, swapping straps is easy and requires no tools.
The retro/modern Defy Revival Diver
After a colorful Defy Revival Diver, Zenith deemed it time for a slightly stealthier version. But if you’re in a line of work that requires a lot of sneaking around in hazardous situations and stealth is of the essence, don’t bother buying the shadow version of the illustrious A3648. Yes, the watch has a dark microblasted titanium 37mm case with a modest 44mm length and a 15.5mm profile. However, as you can see, the latest iteration of the Defy Revival Diver, the ref. 97.A3648.670/21.M3648 (US$8,200 / €8,600), also has a lot of bright yellow details.
The unidirectional bezel’s yellow-tinted sapphire insert is visible from a mile away, and the same goes for the yellow hands above the matte black dial with a yellow minute track.
On the bright side, the new watch, like the original from 1969, is water resistant to 600 meters. It also has a screw-down crown at 4:30, just as it was on the original, plus an ultra-retro Gay Frères-style bracelet. It is made in brushed, dark titanium this time, creating a retro-modern look.
An Elite caliber at your service
Inside the octagonal case beats the automatic Zenith Elite 670 movement, which displays the hours, minutes, seconds, and date. Again, despite the extreme water resistance, a display case back allows the wearer to see the self-winding power source in action. A skeletonized rotor with the Zenith star is on display and features vertical Geneva stripes. On the bridges and plates below it, we also find circular Geneva stripes and plenty of perlage. This 4Hz movement has a power reserve of 50 hours.
We will request this pair of deep-diving watches for a hands-on review to discover what they are like in the metal. One last thing: if you want to go hands-on with the shadow versions of the Defy Extreme Diver and the Defy Revival Diver, they are available at all Zenith boutiques and from authorized retailers worldwide. They’re also available online, but that won’t give you an impression of how the darkened titanium feels.
