Zenith Defy Revival A3642 Revisits the First Ever Defy Watch

Zenith has revived the very first model to bear the Defy name, the A3642 “Bank Vault” from 1969.

The 37mm stainless steel model with a warm grey gradient dial will be produced in exacting detail in a limited run of just 250 pieces, with Zenith going back to the original production plans.

The only cosmetic differences between the original watch and this reissue are the use of sapphire crystal, the exhibition caseback and the use of Super-LumiNova rather than radioactive Tritium which was used originally. Inside beats a 4Hz automatic Elite 670 manufacture movement with a power reserve of 50 hours.

In watch history, 1969 is better remembered for Zenith’s introduction of its high beat automatic chronograph movement, the El Primero, but the octagonal case – which is paired with a 14-sided bezel – predates the use of such geometric shapes on watches like Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak or Girard-Perregaux’s Laureato.

According to Zenith, the idea behind such a “singularly edgy design” carrying a mechanical movement in 1969 was to demonstrate that mechanical watches still had a future in the face of the competition from then newly developed quartz watches.

The new reissue is water resistant to 300m and features the same steel “ladder” bracelet, so-called because of the absence of alternating mid-links, that was then produced for Zenith by Gay Frères.

While the revival is a limited edition Zenith are also teasing a forthcoming reimagined piece stating they will “soon unveil a modern successor to the original DEFY with a sleeker and more modernistic architecture and a whole new level of performance.” 

The Defy Revival A3642 will be available exclusively via Zenith physical and online boutiques, priced $7,000 USD.

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