Defying gravity is Zenith’s modus operandi with new Defy Zero G and Skyline Tourbillon 160th Anniversary releases
Andrew O'Connor- Zenith continues to celebrate its 160th anniversary with three high-complication novelties.
- The gyroscope-sporting Defy Zero G receives two lapis lazuli dial models, one with a blue-tinted sapphire case and one with an untinted sapphire case.
- We also see the first 18k gold Defy Skyline model in the Defy Skyline Tourbillon Red Gold.
Zenith seems to be shouting from the rooftops about its 160th anniversary, which is undoubtedly a worthy celebration. Decidedly in its blue period, 2025 has seen the release of blue ceramic Chronomaster Sport, Pilot Chronograph, and Defy Skyline Chronograph models. Additionally, Zenith has unveiled the stunning G.F.J. and Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar with lapis lazuli stone dials. Even the last and latest Time+Tide Surfer Trilogy model, the Defy Skyline Skeleton ‘White Surfer’, has played its part in this year of blue. Zenith has released other models this year if blue is not your thing: the brand’s latest creations continue along both lines, adding more blue to the collection, along with some luxuriously red hues.
While most famous for the high-beat chronograph El Primero calibre, Zenith has a long-established history of chasing high levels of accuracy, having achieved 2,333 chronometry prizes over the course of its history. The G.F.J. displays a more traditional, but still very high-end, approach to achieving chronometric accuracy. However, Zenith is a brand that likes to push limits, as these latest pieces demonstrate.
Zenith Defy Zero G Sapphire 160th Anniversary
The new Zenith Defy Zero G models are a continuation of one of the brand’s many engineering feats. The Zero G calibre was originally released in 2008, tackling the problem of gravity acting on an escapement from a different perspective. A traditional tourbillon rotates the escapement, averaging out the errors in accuracy caused by gravity to act equally on the balance during the course of a full rotation. While great for a stationary clock, tourbillons are not very effective on the wrist, as the movement of your wrist adds an additional source of force on the balance, in addition to constantly changing the axis on which gravity acts on the balance.
Zenith’s solution took inspiration from marine chronometers, placing the balance within a gimbal. By doing so, the balance stays horizontal, eliminating the effect of positional variations on the balance. This also allows the balance to be adjusted in a single position, which means it can be fine-tuned for accuracy without compensating for different positions. The end result is that the suspended balance is now a gyroscope, able to keep itself steady (both physically and in terms of accuracy) by maintaining a singular position with the timepiece. This Gravity Control Cage is protected by a patent, making it an exclusive horological development for Zenith. Delivering power to the balance is achieved via a conical bevel gear system, allowing consistent delivery of torque from the mainspring to the balance, regardless of the balance’s position.
All this trick engineering is impressive on its own, but Zenith managed to reduce the size of the original 2008 module by 30% in 2018. In 2021, the calibre was reworked, allowing for a more open display of the gyroscopic balance, which was then placed in a transparent sapphire case to display Zenith’s achievement.
Which brings us to the brand’s latest creations, two Zenith Defy Zero G Sapphire models, one done in transparent sapphire and one in blue-tinted sapphire. The calibre inside is the El Primero Calibre 8812S, which operates at 36,000 VpH and has a 50-hour power reserve. The movement is decorated in a two-tone blue and rhodium-plated finish, with a milled Starry Sky motif. The gyroscopic system features a platinum counterweight that is laser-decorated as well.
The time display takes up the top portion of the dial, with the hours and minutes at 12 o’clock, with a running seconds indication at 9 o’clock. There is also a power reserve indicator at 2 o’clock, with the Gravity Control module on full display at 6 o’clock, and the dial with lapis lazuli subdials serving as the backdrop to the offset time display. The sapphire cases measure 46mm in diameter and have 30 meters of water resistance. The dial is openworked and has the balance and some aspects of the drivetrain on display, with lapis lazuli serving as the backdrop for the time-telling portion of the dial. The hands and indices are rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SLN C1 Super-LumiNova. Attaching the watch to the wrist is a blue alligator outer lining over a rubber strap with a titanium folding clasp.
Zenith Defy Zero G Sapphire 160th Anniversary pricing and availability
Both the blue and transparent sapphire models are limited to 10 pieces each. Price: CHF 200,00o
| Brand | Zenith |
| Model | Defy Zero G Sapphire |
| Reference | 04.9000.8812/51.R584 (clear) 04.9003.8812/51.R584 (blue) |
| Case Dimensions | 46mm (D) |
| Case Material | Blue or clear sapphire crystal |
| Water Resistance | 30 meters |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Openworked with lapis lazuli subdials |
| Strap | Blue rubber strap with alligator outer portion, titanium folding clasp |
| Movement | El Primero Calibre 8812S, in-house, hand-wound |
| Power Reserve | 50 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve display, gyroscopic escapement cage |
| Availability | Limited edition of 10 pieces for each case colour |
| Price | CHF 200,000 |
Zenith Defy Skyline Tourbillon Red Gold
While an integrated bracelet, rose gold sport watch with a tourbillon screams high-end modern sport watch, the new Defy Skyline Tourbillon seems almost traditional in comparison to these Defy Zero G releases. Viewed as a modern interpretation of the original Defy released in 1969, the Defy Skyline is a modern integrated sports watch that has earned a stable spot in Zenith’s modern collection. This particular Zenith Defy Skyline Tourbillon is particularly notable, as it’s the first time the Defy Skyline has been offered in 18k rose gold.
Measuring 41mm in diameter, the case is water-resistant to 100 meters and features a screw-down crown. The 18k rose gold H-link bracelet tapers from the case down to the clasp, making for a comfortable wearing experience. Should the full rose gold bracelet be a bit much in certain situations, the watch comes with an additional brick red rubber strap that can be easily swapped using the integrated interchangeable strap system.
The brick red colour of the dial and the included rubber strap were chosen to reflect the red and white brickwork of Zenith’s historic manufacture in Le Locle. Like other Defy Tourbillon models, the dial features engraved four-point stars that radiate upwards and outwards from the tourbillon. The rose gold hands and indices feature SLN C1 Super-LumiNova, and the black tourbillon cage is on full display at 6 o’clock.
Inside is the El Primero Calibre 3630, which operates at 36,000 VpH and has a 50-hour power reserve. The movement is decorated with 3D laser-engraved côtes de Genève that mirror the star pattern on the dial, radiating upward and outward from the tourbillon. The tourbillon carriage weighs only 0.25 of a gram, minimising the effect of extra mass on the balance and further showcasing Zenith’s expertise in miniaturisation and precision. The 18k rose gold four-pointed star rotor is a first for the Defy Tourbillon collection, openworked to allow for an unobstructed view of the movement.
Zenith Defy Skyline Tourbillon Red Gold pricing and availability
A Zenith boutique exclusive, the new Defy Skyline Tourbillon in 18k Rose Gold is available in both physical Zenith boutiques and via the Zenith website. Price: CHF 89,900
| Brand | Zenith |
| Model | Defy Skyline Tourbillon |
| Reference | Reference: 18.9301.3630/67.I001 |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) |
| Case Material | 18k rose gold |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Brick red |
| Strap | 18k rose gold H-link bracelet, folding clasp Additional brick red rubber strap with 18k rose gold folding clasp |
| Movement | El Primero 3630, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 50 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, tourbillon |
| Availability | Zenith boutique and e-commerce exclusive |
| Price | CHF 89,900 |
Closing thoughts
To complete the reference, I think Zenith’s Zero G models are pretty wicked. I remember as a child I had a really cool remote-controlled motorcycle toy that utilised a gyroscope in the rear wheel to maintain balance. Now, as a watch-obsessed adult, seeing the gyroscopic balance in action in videos brings back my fascination with that toy.
While tourbillons are fun to watch and no less an accomplishment to produce, a more modern and fresh take on addressing the effect of gravity on a balance not only makes sense considering the original usage of tourbillons, but also feels long overdue. While Zenith developed the first Zero G models well over a decade ago (closing in on two decades ago, actually), they still seem new and exciting. I think this feeling is a testament to how forward-thinking Zenith can be, and should be a celebrated aspect of the brand.
While not as technologically innovative and exciting, I think the new Defy Tourbillon is of note in its own way, especially with the use of colour. A gold watch with a coloured dial can easily be quite the bold statement, and that is often welcomed if you are into precious metal sport watches with tourbillons. Looking at the press images of this new model, I am pleasantly surprised at how wearable this watch appears. Sure, brick red and rose gold are not subtle, but compared to the possibility of signal red and yellow gold, the warm hues feel inviting and charming, especially on the included rubber strap.
Indeed, I also applaud Zenith’s creative use of colour. They could’ve easily released this model with a more conventional black, silver, blue, or even skeletonised dial, but the brick red really works, I think, and helps the watch welcome longing glances that may have been missed if they had gone for a conventional colour choice.