Zenith x Time+Tide Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero

The sequel is coming – Zenith x Time+Tide Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero Two years after the launch of the original Zenith Night Surfer, we present its sequel, the Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero.
The new model includes four firsts for the series, including a new high-frequency movement.

Two years ago we launched our first major collaboration, the Zenith Night Surfer, limited to 100 pieces. Of course, we'd love to know how everyone reacts to our designs. What’s exciting is that these watches are selling quickly, and what’s even more commendable is that only a few of them have made it to the secondary market, with asking prices double the retail price – for some, this is the only measure of success . We've even heard about a replica website that lists fakes of our designs, which is an oxymoron of flattery - and no, we're not giving up the link. So, obviously people really loved the original Night Surfer. I wear it regularly and experience firsthand how great it is, even swimming and playing tennis with it on vacation. It’s the perfect excuse for a sequel and creates a new night surfer opportunity for watch buyers everywhere. Meet the new Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero.

At first glance, you might think we've done the exact same thing with the new model. Just as the original Night Surfer included a host of the Defy Classic Skeleton’s premier elements, including a micro-blasted titanium bracelet and case, the Night Surfer El Primero brings fresh and familiar features to the Skyline Skeleton.

First, we once again chose to house the watch in a micro-blasted titanium case and attach it to a matching bracelet, making the Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer the first-ever Skyline to be crafted from titanium. Due to the updated El Primero movement and slightly thicker case, many in the watch community pointed out that the previously launched Skyline steel model had increased bulk and weight compared to the classic model. So, with the lightweight nature of titanium, the Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer offers an improved feel for everyday wear from a fit and functionality perspective.

The Night Surfer El Primero is also the first Skyline Skeleton watch to feature a gradient dial, and the first to incorporate luminous material into the star-shaped bridges of the dial.

The original Night Surfer was the first watch to feature a fully illuminated star above the Zenith branding at 12 feet, but we have transferred this luminous element to the star-shaped bridge. Collectively, these elements represent four firsts for the Skyline Skeleton series.

Now, we certainly don't want to assume that you're all familiar with Skyline Skeletons. So, let’s outline the overall specs. The micro-sandblasted titanium case fits nicely on the wrist, with a diameter of 41mm, a thickness of 11.6mm, and a lug-to-lug length of 46.3mm on the wrist. The transition from the Defy Classic Skeleton to the Skyline Skeleton introduces a multi-faceted 12-sided bezel, designed with the idea that each side perfectly outlines one of the 12 hour markers. However, the number of points in the star pattern on the skeletonized dial was reduced by one, becoming a four-pointed star. This design shift pays homage to the original star logo on the case back of the original 1969 Defy, rather than the five-pointed star used in Zenith’s current logo.

Some people’s take on the Skyline is that the asymmetrical counter at 9 o’clock sits directly opposite the date complication at 3 o’clock. However, the Skyline Skeleton did away with the date complication and moved the counters to the less controversial 6 o’clock position. clock position. The centrally located date display, four-pointed star and 12-sided bezel work together to give the Skyline Skeleton a completely symmetrical aesthetic dial that purists will appreciate.

You might say this new Night Surfer Skyline Skeleton is more "surfery" than the original. Yes, it's still water-resistant to 100 meters, but unlike the Defy Classic Skeleton, it has a screw-down crown for added security. It’s also more compatible with straps, as the Night Surfer El Primero can be had with either a micro-blasted titanium strap or a range of Zenith rubber straps. All of them, including the bracelets, now feature easy-to-use interchangeable systems that require no tools. And, the good news is that our Night Surfer El Primero comes with an interchangeable micro-blasted titanium bracelet and a blue rubber strap with a folding clasp.

Over the course of the Defy Classic Skeleton's run, comparisons to a certain Genta design have been known to come, but the new dodecagonal bezel isn't the only new distinguishing element. Zenith has put its undeniably unique stamp on the Skyline by replacing the traditional seconds hand with a 1/10-second chronograph counter. With the new 5Hz El Primero 3620 SK, a 55-hour power reserve movement with a silicon escapement, Zenith has demonstrated its status as a master of high-frequency movements. The counter at 6 o'clock rotates once every 10 seconds instead of every minute, like the chronograph's central seconds hand. It's quirky and atypical indeed, but it's an element of watch design that no one can accuse Zenith of borrowing - 100% pure Zenith.

The idea of making sure the sequel lives up to the original was definitely at the forefront of our minds when designing this new version. If Defy Classic Skeleton Night Surfer was The Godfather, we knew our design needed to be The Godfather Part II (not Part III). We think our sequel has solved this problem, and we hope you do too.

Zenith x Time+Tide Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero
Brand Zenith x Time + Tide
Model Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero
Reference number 97.9300.3620/79.I001
Housing dimensions 41mm (D) x 11.6mm (L) x 46.3mm (L)
Case material Micro-sandblasted titanium metal
Water resistance 10 ATM, screw-down crown
Crystal Flat Sapphire front and back
Dial Skeleton Gradient Blue with Luminous Bridges
Lug width fused
Strap Micro-blasted titanium strap with butterfly buckle
Blue rubber strap with folding pin buckle
Mobile El Primero 3620 SK, in-house, silicon escapement, 5Hz
Power reserve 55 hours
Functions Hours, minutes, 1/10 second indicator