The Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer, Closing the Zenith x Time+Tide Surfer Trilogy

Following the Defy Classic Skeleton Night Surfer (2021) and Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer (2023), Zenith and Time+Tide now introduce the third and final chapter in their collaborative Surfer Trilogy. This latest limited edition, the Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic, builds on the openworked aesthetic and mechanical architecture of the existing white Defy Skyline Skeleton model, while combining its full white ceramic case with a lighter, ocean-inspired dial design. It concludes the trilogy with a bold and technically coherent take on Zenith’s Defy platform.

The 41mm case of the Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer is crafted from white ceramic, lightweight, highly scratch-resistant, inherently modern in appearance and pleasantly tactile. The case features the sharp facets and geometric contours typical of the Defy line, highlighted by brushed and polished surfaces. The screw-down crown bears the Zenith star logo, the dial is protected by a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, while the caseback, also with sapphire crystal, lets you view the movement. Water-resistance is 100m.

The defining element of the “White Surfer” is its skeletonised dial with a vertical gradient that transitions from darker to light blue. This graduated finish spans the signature-shaped bridges, evoking a descent from deep sea to surface light. As with the original Night Surfer, the star logo is filled with Super-LumiNova, a rather unique touch.

Time is indicated by centrally mounted rhodium-plated hour and minute hands, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova. At 6 o’clock, a 1/10th of a second sub-dial, driven directly by the escapement, adds functional dynamic. The hour markers are integrated into the architectural framework of the skeleton dial, in line with the Defy Skyline Skeleton’s design language, applied to the minutes track running the dial´s periphery and treated with Super-LumiNova.

Powering the watch is the El Primero 3620 SK, an automatic, high-frequency movement derived from Zenith’s famed chronograph calibre. Here, the chronograph module has been omitted in favour of a 1/10th of a second counter, offering a continuous readout linked to the 5Hz escapement. The movement delivers a 55-hour power reserve and includes a hacking seconds function for precise time-setting. To match the dial, the calibre is finished in light blue tones across the mainplate, bridges, and star-shaped rotor, with straight graining and circular brushing visible through the caseback.

The White Surfer Ceramic by T+T is presented on an integrated white ceramic bracelet, secured by a folding clasp. A white rubber strap with a patterned surface is also included, and both the strap and bracelet can be easily swapped using Zenith’s toolless quick-change system.

The Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic is limited to 100 pieces worldwide. It is available via Time+Tide, Zenith boutiques, and authorised retailers globally. Price is CHF 18,900 or EUR 20,500. More details about the watch at shop.timeandtidewatches.co.uk and www.zenith-watches.com.