Last year, Zenith created a skeletonized version of the Defy Skyline, which took the core blueprint of its integrated bracelet watch and gave it an open-worked dial to showcase its El Primero-derived high-frequency movement. As the modern successor to the original Zenith Defy from 1969, the Defy Skyline represents the thoroughly contemporary side of the brand’s catalog. Joining the collection as the Swiss manufacturer’s latest new release of 2024 is the Zenith Defy Skyline White Ceramic Skeleton, which expands upon the collection with a case and bracelet crafted from crisp white ceramic.

Measuring 41mm in diameter, the new Zenith Defy Skyline White Ceramic Skeleton (ref. 49.9301.3620/79.I001) is essentially a material variation of the original Defy Skyline Skeleton model from last year, and it offers the same highly angular profile that characterizes the rest of the brand’s Defy collection. Additionally,  just like previous renditions of the model, the new white ceramic version features a flat sapphire crystal, fixed twelve-sided bezel, display-style caseback, and a signed screw-down crown to help guarantee 100 meters of water resistance. Although Zenith has previously offered a black ceramic version of the Defy Skyline Skeleton, the use of white ceramic on this latest release represents the first time that this color of ceramic has appeared on a watch from the brand’s Defy collection.

Set inside the Zenith Defy Skyline White Ceramic Skeleton’s case is a blue open-worked dial, which complements the blue-finished components of the movement that sit visible through both sides of the watch. The skeletonized dial plate appears in the form of a four-pointed star, while the luminous hour markers and minute track appear along a separate chapter ring around the periphery of the dial. Just like other Defy Skyline Skeleton models, the new white ceramic version tells the time with a pair of centrally-mounted hands, while the running seconds are tracked by a sub-dial on the lower half of the display. However, unlike the blue version of the stainless steel model, which has contrasting black-finished elements for its sub-dial ring and minute track, the new Defy Skyline White Ceramic Skeleton features these same elements in a rich shade of blue to match the skeletonized dial plate and the bridges of the movement.

Powering the new Zenith Defy Skyline White Ceramic Skeleton is the same El Primero Caliber 3620 SK automatic movement that can be found inside other open-worked versions of the Defy Skyline. Since it is based upon the core architecture of the brand’s legendary El Primero chronograph movement, the skeletonized Zenith Cal. 3620 runs at a frequency of 36,000vph (5 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 55 hours. It features a rapidly moving small seconds hand that makes one full rotation in ten seconds, rather than rotating once per minute like a conventional seconds hand. To provide the watch with superior resistance to magnetism, the anchor and escape wheel are both crafted from silicon on the El Primero Cal. 3620 SK, and these shiny purple-colored components sit visible through the open-worked display at the 9 o’clock location.

Fitted to the semi-integrated lugs of the Zenith Defy Skyline White Ceramic Skeleton is a tapered H-link bracelet that is crafted from brushed and polished white ceramic to match the case of the watch. While the links appear to be entirely machined from ceramic, the butterfly-style folding clasp is constructed from brushed stainless steel. Just like other Defy Skyline models, the new Defy Skyline White Ceramic Skeleton features a tool-free strap changing system, which allows users to swap out the integrated bracelet for a textured white rubber strap that is also included with the watch. The additional rubber strap appears in the same style as what can be found elsewhere in the Defy Skyline collection, and it features a four-pointed star pattern on its structured outer surface with a chunky signed stainless steel deployant clasp.

Just as one would expect, the new Zenith Defy Skyline White Ceramic Skeleton (ref. 49.9301.3620/79.I001) is accompanied by a fairly substantial price premium compared to the standard stainless steel models. It has an official retail price of $17,500 USD, which places it directly in line with what Zenith currently charges for the black ceramic version of the Defy Skyline Skeleton. While the original Zenith Defy Skyline largely concealed its high-frequency movement, the skeletonized versions of the model showcase their mechanics by placing them front and center, and the new white ceramic version of the Defy Skyline Skeleton is easily the most visually loud and modern rendition of the Swiss brand’s high-frequency integrated bracelet watch. For more information on the Zenith Defy Skyline White Ceramic Skeleton, please visit the brand’s website.