Since the late 1960s, the Defy has been Zenith?s go-to recipe for a progressive take on watchmaking. In this article, from the May-June 2020 issue, WatchTime takes a look at the current state of the Swiss brand?s collection.

More than 50 years ago, Zenith introduced a new type of sports watch under the name Defy. As a member of the LVMH Watch Division, and under the leadership of Zenith?s CEO Julien Tornare, the brand successfully developed the Defy into one of its most innovative and creative product ranges, both in terms of movement expertise and materials. This year, the Defy finally saw the launch of a new women?s watch collection, the Defy Midnight, and some surprising launches with car manufacturer Land Rover and with Carl Cox, a British house and techno record producer and DJ.
The Defy collection was my new growth engine that enabled me to keep our head out of the water.Julien Tornare, Zenith CEO

The 44-mm case is made of titanium. Price is $13,400.

?A Taste for Performance?

In the late ?60s, the same time Zenith launched its legendary El Primero movement, the Defy started its career as Zenith?s ?best-protected watch.? It was positioned as a rugged, heavy-duty sports watch, or the ideal ?daily beater,? as this type of watch is often referred to among collectors nowadays. With ?a patented movement suspension system plus an elastic shock-absorbing ring,? Zenith promoted the Defy simply as ?a tough guy,? offering everything so that customers ?ma...