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In the world of haute horlogerie, few collaborations achieve the rare balance of audacity, craftsmanship, and storytelling. Zenith, the Swiss Manufacture renowned for its pioneering El Primero movement, and Time+Tide, the dynamic voice of modern watch culture, have achieved just that with their final chapter of the acclaimed “Surfer Trilogy.” Introducing the DEFY Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic, a watch that captures the true serenity of summer horizons and the spirit of the DEFY collection.
Following the dark allure of the DEFY Classic Skeleton Night Surfer (2021) and the DEFY Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero (2023), this third and final edition flips the narrative. Dressed in sleek white ceramic, it feels like sunlight breaking through clouds. This limited edition of just 100 pieces is an elegant nod to modern adventure: scratch-resistant, ultra-light, and water-resistant to 100 meters, as ready for the beach as it is for a black-tie soirée.
At the heart of this 41mm timepiece lies a gradient blue openworked dial, a hallmark of the Surfer Trilogy. The transition from deep navy to breezy sky-blue captures the play of sea and sky at dawn. The skeletonized star-shaped bridges, filled with Super-LumiNova, radiate a luminous glow, a rare feature last seen in the first Night Surfer edition. Every glance at the dial reveals a story of light, movement, and meticulous design.
Visible from both the open dial and sapphire caseback, the El Primero 3620 SK automatic caliber beats with a high-frequency precision of 36,000 VpH (5 Hz). The light blue bridges and star-shaped rotor of the movement echo the watch’s oceanic theme. It offers hours, minutes, and a 1/10th-of-a-second counter with a robust 55-hour power reserve.
The integrated white ceramic bracelet lends the watch a seamless, architectural feel, while an additional white rubber strap with a starry pattern gives it sporty versatility. Thanks to Zenith’s quick-change strap system, switching styles requires no tools.
Benoît de Clerck, CEO of Zenith, sums up the collaboration: “With this third chapter in our collaboration, we’re not just continuing a story, we’re elevating it. Each edition has deepened our creative dialogue, and this new release is the boldest expression yet of what we can achieve together.”
Time+Tide founder Andrew McUtchen echoes the sentiment: “There’s a huge risk in trying for a trilogy when the first two collabs have been so popular, but when we saw the prototype of an ‘inverted’ Night Surfer, in brushed white ceramic, we just had to make it happen. The gradient light blue dial sealed it. Best summer watch ever.”
the DEFY Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic is available exclusively through Time+Tide, authorized Zenith retailers, and Zenith boutiques worldwide. With only 100 pieces in existence, the DEFY collection has found its perfect summer chapter, closing a trilogy that will surely be remembered as a modern classic.
