The Zenith Defy Revival Shadow Is A Stealthy Surprise

One of my favorite quests during a watch show is to discover some of the sneakier releases. You know, the pieces that don’t scream at the tops of their lungs at 8:30 AM sharp on opening day. The Zenith Defy Revival Shadow is one of those watches. This is a smooth operator, so why not take a closer look?

For the last few years, Zenith has been on a roll! The brand is making some of my favorite watches on the market under the Chronomaster and Defy lines. A retro piece that I’ve checked out online on more than one occasion is the Defy Revival. The original Defy first debuted back in 1969 with a wild 14-sided bezel and an 8-sided case. It also came with a lovely Gay Frères ladder bracelet. A couple of years ago, Zenith brought the watch back, and I skipped over it due to its ornate case. This has been a slow burn for me, though, because I keep thinking about it. A slow burn indeed…

The Zenith Defy Revival Shadow

For 2023, there’s a new piece named the Zenith Defy Revival Shadow, and this is worth closer inspection. Unlike the line’s other models in steel with red, brown, and aqua-colored dials, this watch comes with a titanium case. It also comes with a titanium ladder bracelet and clasp, a first for this famous design. The case takes on an almost PVD-coated look because the titanium has been micro-blasted. Admittedly, when I first saw the pictures in my email, I thought the watch was coated. The dial looks rich in black and is paired with creamy Super-LumiNova and color-matched date wheel.

Despite the change in materials, the Zenith Defy Revival Shadow keeps its dimensions and specifications. This means a 37mm-diameter case, a 300m water resistance rating, and a screw-down crown. Inside, the Defy uses the Elite 670 automatic movement with a quick-set date and 50 hours of power reserve. The movement is visible via a sapphire display back.

Final thoughts on this cool new piece

The good news with this Zenith is that it will join the regular lineup and will be available wherever the brand’s watches are sold. The pricing is a bit dearer than the steel pieces, though, at €8,000. This new Defy Revival is a cool new piece from Zenith and proves that it’s worth checking out the complete list of novelties. Missing this one would be a real shame.

For more information on the new Zenith Defy Revival Shadow, visit the official Zenith site.