Introducing the Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton “Night Surfer” Time+Tide Edition, limited to 100 pieces

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Introducing the Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton “Night Surfer” Time+Tide Edition, limited to 100 pieces

Oct 12, 2021

Time+Tide Watches
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The Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton "Night Surfer" Time+Tide Edition, limited to 100 pieces, available now at this link

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We asked for a LOT. And we got it! Our collab with Zenith - the Defy Classic Skeleton Night Surfer

Oct 12, 2021

Time+Tide Watches
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Our weapons of choice against collab fatigue are a one-two punch of courage and creativity. And in the case of the Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton "Night Surfer" Time+Tide Edition, we had buckets of both on hand.

That was largely because our partner in creativity crime happens to be one of the most dynamic, detail oriented players in the game, Mr Romain Marietta, Director of Product and Heritage for Zenith. After an initial concept that promised some pretty cool twists, Romain delivered us not less than FIVE premieres in this model.


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Specifications​

Reference: 97.9000.670/26.M9000

Movement: Elite 670 SK automatic

Frequency: 28,800 VpH (4 Hz)

Power reserve: 50 hours

Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. Central seconds hand. Date indication at 6 o’clock

Finishes: Special oscillating weight with satined finishings

Price $9000 USD / $12,200 AUD

Material: Microblasted Titanium

Water resistance: 10 ATM

Diameter: 41 mm

Thickness: 10.75 mm

Dial: Openworked

Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Superluminova SLN C1

Hands : Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Superluminova SLN C1

Bracelet & Buckle: Microblasted Titanium bracelet.

Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton “Night Surfer” Time+Tide Edition
$12,200


DESCRIPTION
Pricing $9000USD, $12200AUD
The Zenith Defy Classic is widely regarded to be an underrated entry into the sports watch category. And when you dig into its design and specifications, across the board it’s easy to see why - the collection ticks off many, if not all, the boxes collectors look for. This is why Time+Tide and Zenith have teamed up to present a unique take on the already highly distinct and distinguished collection: The Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton "Night Surfer" Time+Tide Edition.

The sharp and faceted case of the Night Surfer is rendered in its most stealth form, with a dark grey microblasted titanium case and bracelet - a first for the Defy Classic line. With wrist-friendly dimensions of 41mm x 10.75mm x 45mm, the Night Surfer can flatter any wrist. With its total weight of a mere 95 grams, along with a depth rating of 100 meters, it is truly a watch that is robust and ready for active daily wear. The muted nature of the finish really caters to the dial of this limited edition, allowing its vertical-gradient blue dial, another first for the collection, to really pop and catch the eye.

The affectionate Night Surfer nickname stems from the dial takes its inspiration from the sky-show that greets surfers who dare to stay out after sunset - encapsulating the gradient that extends from the light on the horizon all the way up to the black depths of the night sky.

Further driving home the Night Surfer motif is its SuperLuminova® Zenith Star logo at 12’, embodying an “evening star” that appears, for a time, as the only visible star in the Southern Hemisphere. This, as well as its luminous date frame that allows the date to be discerned more easily in dark settings, mark two more firsts for the Defy Classic lineup.

Anticipated delivery date, November 2021
 
:wink: This should be intriguing for the Skeleton Dial fans! :dance2: Thanks Mike. :hat:
 

In-depth video of the Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton "Night Surfer" Time+Tide Edition, live from CH​


Oct 17, 2021

Time+Tide Watches
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Shop this watch (available until sold out, 100 pieces only): https://shop.timeandtidewatches.com/p...

An in-depth review of Time+Tide's collaboration with Zenith, the Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton "Night Surfer" Time+Tide Edition, limited to 100 pieces.


The sun is going down, but you’re sure there’s one good set left. There is a line of light that appears on the horizon. The sky turns electric blue and deepens to black above you. The evening star is the first to appear, and it’s so bright. The water laps at your board while you wait. Just one more set, and you’ll call it.

This is the scene that inspired our second collaboration of 2021, the Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton Night Surfer, Time+Tide Edition. The first was also ocean-related, in the Doxa SUB 600T Pacific. Whether you’re a surfer or not, this vision of a blue black night sky and the evening star is one we know well in the Southern Hemisphere.

The model this scene takes place in is the Defy Classic Skeleton, which is the second best selling Zenith model after the Chronomaster Sport. The Defy Classic looks like a contemporary watch, but It is based on a model from 1969 - a pretty incredible and decidedly futuristic design that still looks modern today, with its facets and multi layered case construction of shapes within shapes.

The Night Surfer houses five premieres for Zenith, and it highlights the many cool things about the DC Skeleton - most notably that skeletonise dial which lifts off the movement - you can still see the escapement and purple components peeping through - with the top layer being the mirror polished and green superluminova-filled handset.

The first two premieres are the frame for the sky-show on the dial, the case and bracelet.

Both are in microblasted titanium for the first time in the Defy Classic collection. It’s a material and finish that has to be experienced to be believed. It is textured to the touch care of the stippled surface, but cool and light to the skin - the watch weighs just 95 grams.

Microblasted titanium is something of a mic drop material flex from Zenith - they use it rarely, and it always stands out. The Edge of Space, the Shadow and the Land Rover Defy 21 are three recent models that were made all that more desirable for its use.

This is the first time ever that Zenith has done a bracelet in this material.

The third premiere is the luminous Zenith Logo - the first time the brand has done a logo in Superluminova. As for how it’s done, I had assumed it was cast in a mold, but wrong! Cut out of a solid piece of Superluminova! Crazy. Shines incredibly brightly, which you can see on the promo video Zenith filmed

The one detail that’s missing from the promo video, however, is the fourth premiere! The luminous square behind the date on the date wheel - the superluminova backlight allows you to see the date at night, as the square of luminous material shines through the skeletonise date wheel.

The last premiere is the dial itself - it is the first gradient dial in the Defy Classic Skeleton collection. It is skeletonised, obviously, and features a vivid, vibrant blue vertical gradient - from light blue at 6, where the sun has just set, to a rich dark blue at 12. The method to create this even tonal gradient was complex - it involved a translucent layer on the whole dial, then a light blue layer on the whole dial, and then a lot of experimentation with the painting process to get the imperceptible gradient shift just right.

As for the specs - the watch is 41mm, though measured from 3 to 9 it is 40mm, so it wears closer to a 40mm watch. Also, the lack of lugs means that its lug to lug is just 45mm. You can see from the shot of it on a feminine wrist, that this watch is properly unisex, which fits CEO Julien Tornare’s vision for ungendered watches. The thickness of the watch is where the goal of the Defy collection to be both sporty and elegant comes in. It is just 10.74mm high, partly care of the in-house manufacture Elite 670SK movement which beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers 50 hours power reserve and hacking seconds. The pallet lever and escape wheel are in silicon, meaning this watch will resist the magnetism of your phone, and other digital devices, the magnet in your phone case, all of that!

Pricing and availability: The Night Surfer is a limited edition of 100 pieces, and is priced at $9000 USD and $12,200 AUD.
 
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