Among the various releases from Zenith unveiled this year at LVMH Watch Week 2026 is a new version of the Defy Skyline Skeleton that pairs a black ceramic exterior with rose gold-finished internals. While this latest addition to the lineup is essentially just a new colorway of an existing model, it undeniably offers a different flavor than its siblings, and the black ceramic and rose gold version of the Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton represents an elevated yet sporty twist on the Swiss brand’s modern integrated bracelet watch.
The Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton originally debuted in 2023 as a duo of stainless steel watches; however, a black ceramic model was added to the lineup later that same year, and a white ceramic version followed shortly thereafter in 2024. From there, a solid rose gold version joined the collection in 2025, and this latest iteration of the Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton (ref. 49.9300.3620/07.I001) is essentially a mix between its black ceramic and rose gold siblings. That said, while the full-gold model is a decidedly opulent statement piece and the original black ceramic version is fundamentally technical and sporty, the latest addition to the series combines these two personalities to create an elevated timepiece that is free from the stigma that accompanies a solid gold watch.
Just like other versions of the Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton, the case of the black ceramic and rose gold model measures 41mm in diameter, and it is finished with linear brushed surfaces contrasted by small high-polished accents. Alternating styles of case finishing is especially welcome on ceramic watches, as fully matte/polished ceramic can sometimes be too visually similar to plastic, and the crisp transitions between brushed and polished surfaces provide the Defy Skyline Skeleton with the same elevated appearance as one of Zenith’s stainless steel or gold models. As you would expect, flat sapphire crystals are fitted to either side of the watch to offer an unobstructed view of its open-worked internals, and just like other Defy Skyline models, its black ceramic crown screws down to help ensure 100 meters of water resistance.
Brightly contrasting against the black ceramic exterior of the Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton are its rose gold-finished internals, which occupy the entirety of the visual space under its front crystal. Unlike the original black ceramic model that embraces a largely monochromatic color palette, the golden elements on this latest version lend themselves to a noticeably more dressy aesthetic, while still adhering to the inherently modern spirit of a black ceramic watch. The warm metallic appearance of gold is universally accompanied by connotations of luxury, but since the Defy Skyline Skeleton only features golden elements on its dial and movement, the rose gold details visually elevate the model without turning it into a flagrant celebration of conspicuous consumption.
The fundamental design and layout of the dial (or lack thereof) has been carried over from other Defy Skyline Skeleton models, with its display primarily showcasing the star-shaped architecture of the open-worked movement. Applied luminous hour markers extend from an outer flange containing the minute track, and the trio of gold-plated hands receives a matching application of C1 Super-LumiNova to help with low-light visibility. Additionally, rather than having a traditional running seconds hand mounted within its 6 o’clock sub-dial, the seconds hand on the Defy Skyline Skeleton makes one full rotation in just 10 seconds, which alludes to the fact that its time-only caliber is derived from the high-beat architecture of Zenith’s legendary El Primero chronograph movement.
Prominently displayed through both sides of the Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton is the brand’s El Primero 3620 SK automatic movement, which features a rose gold finish across its open-worked bridges to create the model’s signature black-and-gold aesthetic. Despite being a time-only movement, the Caliber 3620 SK is based on the foundation of Zenith’s El Primero chronograph, which means that it runs at a rate of 36,000vph (5 Hz) with a power reserve of 60 hours, and since its seconds hand rotates six times faster than a traditional watch, the sub-dial at 6 o’clock could more accurately be described as a running 1/10th of a second indicator. Similar to other contemporary Zenith movements, the Cal. 3620 SK is equipped with a lever and escape wheel made from silicon, and automatic winding is carried out by a star-shaped rotor with a rose gold finish to match the rest of the watch’s internals.
A small cosmetic detail worth noting is that two different shades of rose gold appear on the Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton, and its movement components feature a slightly lighter hue than what is used for its hands, hour markers, and open-worked dial plate. The difference in color is clearly intentional, as other Defy Skyline Skeleton models display this same tone-on-tone aesthetic in more prominent expressions, such as the Defy Skyline Skeleton Bhindi Limited Edition, which has a black open-worked dial plate paired with a dark anthracite finish on its movement. When rendered in rose gold, the difference in hues is less noticeable, although it still helps create visual depth by highlighting the different layers of the model’s open-worked display.
Similar to other Defy Skyline models, Zenith includes both a strap and a bracelet with this latest black ceramic version of the Defy Skyline Skeleton, and owners can easily swap between the two options, thanks to a quick-release system consisting of two buttons built into the underside surface of the case. The black rubber strap that comes with the watch is the same textured style as what can be found on other Defy Skyline models, and it is completed by a black-finished stainless steel folding clasp. With that in mind, the Skyline was first and foremost designed to be an integrated bracelet watch, and the primary configuration for this model pairs its case with a matching H-link bracelet crafted from brushed and polished black ceramic.
The bracelet for the Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton is identical to what can be found on the standard black ceramic Defy Skyline, and it is essentially the ceramic version of the tapered H-link bracelet that Zenith uses for all its various Skyline models. Consequently, the clasp is a standard butterfly-style affair that lacks any type of micro-adjustment system; however, the one benefit of this design is that the clasp maintains a notably thin and elegant structure. From a purely tactile standpoint, I typically prefer metal bracelets over their ceramic counterparts, as a well-crafted metal bracelet offers a heft and fluidity of motion that simply isn’t possible with ceramic. That said, watch bracelets are especially prone to scratches, and the ceramic links on the Defy Skyline Skeleton will be impervious to the superficial blemishes that normally accumulate during daily wear.
Among enthusiasts, skeletonized watches are inherently somewhat of a divisive genre, as an open-worked display is fundamentally less legible than a traditional solid dial. Additionally, unless the movement itself is worth admiring, many collectors would prefer not to have a watch’s internals serve as its visual centerpiece, and this is exactly why it is so difficult for brands to make skeletonized watches that are both compelling and categorically affordable. Six-figure grail pieces adorned with countless hours of hand-finishing are naturally celebrated for their open-worked displays, but Zenith’s Defy Skyline Skeleton models strike a nice balance of being sufficiently legible and aesthetically pleasing, while still maintaining a fairly realistic price point.
Despite being somewhat picky when it comes to both ceramic watches and skeletonized displays, I consistently find myself impressed by Zenith’s various Defy Skyline Skeleton models, and my affinity for them only grows whenever I have the chance to see them in person. With an official retail price of $18,900 USD, the black ceramic and rose gold version of the Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton (ref. 49.9300.3620/07.I001) costs slightly more than its siblings, although this hardly seems unreasonable within the context of ceramic bracelet watches and skeletonized in-house movements. Unlike previous versions of Defy Skyline Skeleton that firmly exist on either the sporty or luxurious side of the aesthetic spectrum, the latest black and gold model splits the difference to create a distinctly refined overall package. For more information, please visit the Zenith watches website.