The 600m water-resistant A3648, known as Defy Plongeur, was the right tool watch for experts when it debuted in 1969. At the same time, the Le Locle-based watchmaker introduced the Modern Defy Extreme Diver, a valuable evolutionary model of the A3648. Now, exactly a year later, these two watches will come out in impressive micro-broth titanium outfits. Zenith introduces the Shadow version of Defy Extreme Diver, and introduces Refy Revival Diver for those looking to the future and the past.
Zenith’s new shadow version ignores extreme divers and ignores Revival Diver
Start with two more modern creations. DefyExtremeDiver Ref. 97.9600.3620 / 21.I300 (USD 12,300 / €12,900). Zenith already has a lighter version of this watch in its collection, featuring a black or blue dial and a bright orange touch. The new watch has a 42.5mm micro-blasted titanium case with a length of 47.4mm and a thickness of 15.5mm. Surrounding its matching dodecagonal titanium ring is a black ceramic unidirectional bezel with markings filled with Super Luminova. If you want to do saturated diving with this watch, it’s fine as it boasts a depth rating of 600m and a helium escape valve. The star pattern black dials have C1 Super Luminova markers and hands separated by bright yellow accents to ensure optimal readability in the most surprising conditions.
The latest Defy Extreme Diver display case shows the black finish El Primero 3620 automatic movement, a surprising feature of such Defy-like deep diving watches. This 5Hz movement has a paramagnetic escapement, several silicon components and a 60-hour power reserve.
This extreme diver is on a microblast titanium H-link bracelet, but buyers also get two interchangeable straps. The first is a durable black rubber strap with a Cordura-like texture and folding clasp. The second is a single piece black and yellow fabric strap that closes with a pin buckle. Thanks to the integrated quick change mechanism, changing the straps is easy and no tools required.
Retro/Modern Defy Revival Diver
After the colorful Defy Revival Diver, Zenith came up with a bit of a stealth version of time. But if you’re in a work line that requires a lot of creeping up in dangerous situations, don’t worry about buying the glorious shadow version of the A3648 if stealth is essential. Yes, the watch has a dark microblast titanium 37mm case with a modest 44mm length and a 15.5mm profile. However, as you can see, Defy Revival Diver’s latest iteration, Ref. 97.A3648.670/21.M3648 (US $8,200/€8,600) also has plenty of bright yellow details.
The yellow sapphire insert on a one-way bezel is visible from a mile away, and the same can be said for the yellow hand above the matte black dial with the yellow instant track.
On the bright side, new watches like the original 1969 are resistant to 600 meters. Also, just like the original, there is a under-screw crown at 4:30, and an ultra-retro gay flare style bracelet. This time it is made of brushed dark titanium, creating a retro-modern look.
Elite caliber in your service
The interior of the octagonal case beats the automatic Zenith Elite 670 movement, displaying hours, minutes, seconds and dates. Again, despite its extremely water resistance, the display case back allows the wearer to operate the automatic power supply. Skeletonized rotors with Zenith Stars are on display, featuring vertical Geneva stripes. The bridge and plates below also feature circular Geneva stripes and plenty of perlages. This 4Hz movement has a 50-hour power reserve.
We ask this pair of deep diving watches for a practical review to discover what they look like in the metal. The last thing is available from all Zenith Boutiques and certified retailers around the world if you want to practice Shadow versions of Defy Extreme Diver and Defy Revival Diver. Also available online, but it doesn’t give you the impression of how dark titanium feels.
