Zenith Defy Extreme Diver Resurfaces with New Silver Dial

Zenith is bringing its first updates to the Defy Extreme Diver that we saw released at Watches & Wonders earlier this year, with a third dial color being added to the mix. The Defy Extreme Diver was a surprise hit when it was shown alongside a new Defy Revival A3648; together, the pair ushered in a welcome return to the dive-watch genre from Zenith. The Extreme Diver does reference the historical design language of the Defy collection, but it is a through-and-through modern take on the dive watch, and as a result it doesn’t look like anything else on the market. It’s also surprisingly capable right off the bat, and now, you can get it with a silver dial.

The new divers from Zenith represent an important part of the brand’s heritage, even if that part is often overlooked. The Le Locle-based brand famous for its El Primero movement has indeed produced plenty of interesting watches aimed at divers, from the traditional references like the A3630, to funkier examples like the A3637, and even the A3648 that was a highlight of Watches & Wonders this year in its “Revival” incarnation. If you’re familiar with the ethos of the Defy collection, the latest Extreme Diver should feel like a natural extension of its goals, which is a pursuit of aesthetic and mechanical innovation.

The new Extreme Diver manages to push into new conceptual ground for the Defy collection as a whole, not just because it reestablishes Zenith’s presence in the dive watch space, but also because of how it does it. The design of this watch is exceptionally unique, but also manages to adhere to many of the pillars of the genre. The 42.5mm titanium case boasts a cacophony of flat surfaces arranged geometrically to form a kinda-but-not-really octagonal shape. You won’t find any soft or curved surfaces here. The resulting dimensions may look a bit intimidating, but it all comes together quite effectively in use. 

When it was introduced, the Defy Extreme Diver was offered with either a black or blue dial, both with bright orange accents. Both were highly legible, and quite capable, with no less than a 600-meter depth rating. They also came with three different strap choices, including a titanium bracelet, and a titanium endlink through which you could use any type of 20mm strap. This week, the family of divers welcomes a third option sporting a silver dial and orange accents. It’s the same watch, but the new dial color shifts the personality considerably. The legibility may not be as strong, but this is a great look in a genre that doesn’t see many silver dials. 

On the inside, Zenith is still using the high-beat El Primero 3620 caliber, which is visible through the exhibition caseback. The oscillating weight bears the Zenith star within its design, and the whole thing is finished to about the level you’d expect at this price point, but that feels outside the remit of a great dive watch. Let’s call it a nice-to-have in this case.

The new Zenith Defy Extreme Diver remains priced at $11,300, and is available exclusively through Zenith boutiques, in store and online.