Zenith has expanded its DEFY Revival Diver lineup with a striking new “Shadow” edition, offering a moodier take on the 2024 reissue that first debuted in vibrant orange at Watches and Wonders. The latest iteration retains the vintage charm of the 1969 DEFY Plongeur A3648 while introducing contemporary refinements.
Faithful to Heritage, Bold in Execution
The Revival Diver Shadow stays true to its roots with a compact 37mm case, a distinctive four-thirty crown, and a robust rotating bezel. However, Zenith has reimagined the watch in micro-blasted titanium, giving it a sleek, matte finish that enhances its tool-watch appeal.
Built for serious diving, the timepiece boasts an impressive 600-meter water resistance—matching the original—along with its signature fourteen-sided outer bezel. A new bright yellow-tinted sapphire insert on the inner rotating bezel complements the dial’s yellow accents, ensuring both style and functionality.
Enhanced Legibility and Performance
The matte black dial features Super-LumiNova-filled hands and markers, while the strategic use of yellow enhances underwater visibility. Powering the watch is Zenith’s Elite 670 automatic movement, known for its slim profile and reliability. A display case back—rare for a dive watch of this caliber—showcases the movement, paying subtle homage to the 1969 origins.
Matching Bracelet and Extreme Variant
The Shadow edition comes paired with a retro-futuristic Gay Frères-style bracelet, also crafted in micro-blasted titanium for lightweight comfort. For those seeking a more rugged option, Zenith has introduced the DEFY Extreme Diver—a 42.5mm powerhouse featuring the same dark titanium case and yellow accents but upgraded with a ceramic unidirectional bezel, a helium escape valve, and reinforced construction.
Driving the Extreme Diver is the high-performance El Primero 3620 movement, operating at 5Hz with silicon components and a 60-hour power reserve. Like its smaller counterpart, it includes a display case back, blending vintage inspiration with cutting-edge horology.
With these releases, Zenith continues to bridge the gap between classic design and modern innovation, catering to both dive watch enthusiasts and collectors.
