The Zenith Defy Revival Shadow Is A Stealthy Surprise

December 05, 2014

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 Freres 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 ShadowFor 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 pieceThe 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.Watch specifications Brand Zenith Model Defy Revival ShadowReference 97.A3642.670/21.M3642Dial Black with creamy Super-LumiNovaCase Material Micro-blasted titaniumCase Dimensions 37mm (diameter) 13.6mm (thickness)Crystal SapphireCase Back Sapphire screw-in display back Movement Zenith Elite 670 - automatic, 28,800vph, 50-hour power reserve, quick-set dateWater Resistance 300 metersStrap Titanium ladder braceletFunctions Time, quick-set datePrice $8,000Warranty Two years, extra year with online registration