INTRODUCING: The Zenith Extreme Diver Collection
You love diving yet you want an edgy watch that can keep up with you? You work in a demanding job but want a tough timepiece to both tell time and look amazing doing so? Or maybe you love the design of a vintage watch but want a timepiece full of modern technology? If you fit any of those descriptions, ZENITH has the answer for you with its new DEFY Extreme Diver and a revival of the vintage watch that inspired it. Introducing the DEFY Extreme Diver and DEFY Revival A3648.
THE BASICS:
BRAND: ZENITH
Model: DEFY Extreme Diver, Ref. 95.9600.3620/21.I300 & 95.9601.3620/51.I301
Case Material: Brushed titanium
Case Size: 42.5mm
Water Resistance: 600m
Movement: El Primero 3620 SC, Automatic
Movement Specs: Power reserve of 50 hours; 36'000 VpH - 5 Hz
Strap Options: 3 straps included - a rubber, a fabric, and a metal bracelet
Model: DEFY Revival A3648, Ref. 03.A3648.670/21.M3648
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Size: 37mm
Water Resistance: 600m
Movement: Elite 670, Automatic
Movement Specs: Power reserve of 50 hours; 28,800 VpH (4 Hz)
Strap Options: Included metal bracelet
THE JUICE:
55 years ago, ZENITH launched its first DEFY Diver. It was one of the earliest DEFY models and it was ahead of its time in both style and technology. Released in 1969, the A3648 was water resistant to 600m and included a bold color palette of black and orange, with white accents and contrasted against the stainless steel case. Its case was just as bold as its colors due to its angled shape and 14-sided bezel. Fast forward 5 and a half decades later; with the release of the DEFY Extreme Diver, many of those same elements appear in the tribute to the A3648. The Extreme Diver is also water resistant to 600m and includes black, orange, and white against its brushed titanium case. While its bezel is 12-sided versus the A3648's 14-sided one, it also utilizes an angled case.
The DEFY Extreme Diver is a tribute to the A3648, evolved over 50 years to modern times. Perhaps one of the greatest tributes is a matter of happenstance - the 600m water resistance rating equates to 1,969 feet - the year of the original A3648's release. To achieve this rating, it includes a helium escape valve. This timepiece is tough enough to handle whatever life throws at it, as it meets the ISO 6425 regulations for professional diver's watches, the ISO 764 regulations for paramagnetism, and the ISO 1413 regulations for shock resistance. The use of titanium for the case was intentional, due to its high resistance to corrosion from the salt in ocean water. Powering the Extreme Diver is the El Primero 3620 SC, a high-frequency automatic movement with a 60-hour power reserve. What sets the DEFY Extreme Diver apart from many competitors is the bold style that it embraces amidst its tactical prowess. Available in both a black and a blue colorway, the metallic dial is given a sunburst finish and has ZENITH's signature pattern of numerous 4-pointed stars.
The A3648 marks the first time ZENITH has revived one of its diving watches. If you weren’t one of the proud few who owns an original A3648, you still have a chance at owning this powerful piece of history. It features a 14-sided bezel and the bright orange/black colorway of the original 1969 release. Its vintage influence is unmistakable, from the text on the dial to the angular case and the metal bracelet. To appeal to both fans of smaller watches and vintage watch fanatics, the A3648 measures in at 37mm. The size pairs with the offset screw-down crown at the 4 o’clock mark to maximize comfort. As a style move, the date window is also at the 4 o’clock mark. This timepiece retains the original A3648’s water resistance rating of 600m and ticks to the tune of ZENITH’s Elite 670 automatic movement.
ZENITH unleashed an innovative diver 55 years ago and today you can either buy a revision of that iconic timepiece or a phenomenal new watch inspired by it. Both watches have impressive depth ratings of 600m and tick with powerful automatic movements. Whichever you choose, your timepiece will keep up with you and never miss a beat.
So how much are the new ZENITH DEFY Watches?
Price for the Extreme Diver is $11,300 USD and the A3648 Revival will come in at $7,700 USD.
Read more about the watch on the brands website here.