ZENITH unveiled the DEFY Skyline Chronograph Skeleton at LVMH Watch Week on January 21, 2025. It pairs a 42 mm steel case with the automatic El Primero 3600SK, an openworked movement and a chronograph hand that completes one rotation every 10 seconds to show tenths of a second. The 2025 release was announced in blue and black versions.
When was the Zenith DEFY Skyline Chronograph Skeleton released?
ZENITH announced the skeletonized model on January 21, 2025, at LVMH Watch Week. It is distinct from the black ceramic DEFY Skyline Chronograph announced on January 19, 2026: that later watch is not skeletonized, and its specifications and prices do not apply to the 2025 steel Skeleton model. See ZENITH’s January 2025 announcement and its January 2026 announcement.
What is different about the skeleton design?
The dial, movement main plate and bridges are openworked to expose the calibre’s inner workings. ZENITH describes skeletonization as “hollowing out the plate, bridges, and other components of the movement to reveal its inner workings.” The star-shaped oscillating weight is also skeletonized and colour-matched to the version. Three chronograph subdials stand apart with contrasting grey azuré finishing; applied baton markers and hands use Super-LumiNova.
What movement is inside, and how does the chronograph work?
The watch uses the automatic, skeletonized El Primero 3600SK calibre. Its high-frequency movement runs at 5 Hz, or 36,000 vibrations per hour, and has an approximately 60-hour power reserve. The central chronograph seconds hand makes a full revolution every 10 seconds; the chapter ring is graduated in tenths of a second.
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That display is a way to read elapsed time in tenths, not a claim that every measurement or the watch’s timekeeping is accurate to one tenth of a second. The 2025 announcement specifies the movement’s frequency and display but does not provide a model-specific accuracy result.
Case, water resistance and wearing details
- Case: 42 mm octagonal stainless steel with a 12-facet bezel and alternating brushed and polished surfaces.
- Crystal: Sapphire at the front and back.
- Crown: Screw-down.
- Water resistance: 10 ATM, as stated by ZENITH.
The openworked dial prioritizes a view into the mechanism, while the grey subdials and luminous markers provide visual contrast. The announcement does not report a legibility test or establish a performance rating for a particular activity, so the water-resistance figure should not be treated as a guarantee for every use.
What colours and strap options were announced?
ZENITH announced blue and black executions, with matching colours on the dial, movement components and star-shaped rotor. The watch is described with an integrated three-link steel bracelet and a matching star-pattern rubber strap. A push button on the case back allows the bracelet to be swapped for the rubber strap.
For a specific purchase, confirm the exact reference, colour assignment and included components for your market with ZENITH or the authorized retailer. The announcement does not establish that every regional configuration includes both straps.
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How much does the 2025 Skeleton cost, and where is it sold?
ZENITH’s January 21, 2025 release does not state a price for the DEFY Skyline Chronograph Skeleton. It lists ZENITH physical boutiques, its online boutique and authorized retailers worldwide as sales channels. Ask the relevant local boutique or authorized retailer to confirm current pricing, availability and the configuration offered.
Do not use the price of the different 2026 black ceramic DEFY Skyline Chronograph as a price for this watch. That later model is reference 49.9500.3600/21.I001 and is a non-skeleton ceramic version.
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