At this year’s LVMH Watch Week, the original DEFY wristwatch model from 1969, the A3642, and the A3691 from 1971 were all reintroduced. With the DEFY Revival A3690, ZENITH is now bringing back some of its most iconically colourful DEFY references.
When the A3690 was first released in 1970, shortly after the DEFY wristwatch line with its robust “bank vault” case and striking dial design, it was one of the first references to incorporate brilliant colours. ZENITH was one of the first companies to offer unique gradient coloured dials in the 1960s, which was unheard of at the time. In the 1970s, the Manufacture took a step further with more vibrant colours, including the tropical teal, to keep up with shifting customer tastes.
The DEFY Revival A3690 revives all the particulars and distinguishing design features that made the original DEFY wristwatch model such a remarkable reference of its time and one that established the standards that still serve as the inspiration for the DEFY collection today. Using the original production plans, a detailed replica of the DEFY Revival A3690 was produced. This features a faceted octagonal case with a fourteen-sided bezel, a teal-blue dial with a prominent vignette effect that darkens towards the edges, and unusual applied square hour markers with horizontal grooves. It also features the now-iconic Gay Frères steel “ladder” bracelet, which has been updated with a more modern and ergonomic folding clasp.
The only outward variations between the Revival and Luminous are the sapphire crystal, display case back, and type of luminous pigments.
Visual credits: ZENITH
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