Zenith has made quite a splash among watch aficionados with the introduction of its new Defy line of watches. With an advertising campaign centered around integrating these haute horologicals into real life extreme environments, Zenith seems to be saying that a tool watch doesn't have to be boring.
The Zenith Defy Classic Chrono Aero XT is a 46.5mm dazzler that uses the latest generation Zenith El Primero 4000SC automatic movement to power its triple counter chronograph - and what a movement it is! Beating at 36,000 VPH and meticulously constructed to endure all kinds of extreme activities; it's hard to find a more precise, respected and recognized movement in the watch world. The guilloche on the asphalt black dial gives it a lot of depth and makes the markers and arabic numerals seem to float beneath the sapphire crystal. A red seconds hand and the colorful outer track around the subdial at 3 o'clock make the Defy Classic Chrono Aero's dial a stand out. The crown and screw down pushers are particularly nice and easy to deploy and the stainless steel bracelets' centerlink is done in guilloche to match the dial.
I can't say that the Defy Classic Chrono Aero is my favorite pilots watch. I prefer something a little less complicated and a bit more traditional for actual flying. That said though, the big Zenith is a stunning all around adventure watch that's got all the gravitas of the El Primero legacy combined with a rugged and inspired design that's sure to turn some heads. Nice too is the fact that if you do find yourself behind the yoke with the the Defy Classic Chrono Aero on your wrist, it's more than capable of delivering all of the functionality you'd expect from a world class aviation watch.
The Zenith Defy Classic Chrono Aero gets a two thumbs up - it's a great watch!
