Zenith has collaborated with Felipe Pantone, a globally acclaimed artist, to create the Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone. This limited-edition timepiece, with only 100 pieces available, will be released on September 12, 2024. It is designed to captivate both watch collectors and art enthusiasts with its intricate design and technical excellence.
The Art of Design: A Visual Masterpiece
The Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone showcases meticulous craftsmanship and innovative design. The watch is encased in a 41mm octagonal stainless-steel case, featuring sharp, geometric lines that contrast with smooth, polished surfaces. The dodecagonal bezel enhances the angular design, creating an engaging play of light.
One of the most striking features is the tourbillon mechanism at 6 o’clock. This intricate component completes a full rotation every 60 seconds, demonstrating high watchmaking precision. The tourbillon bridge, shaped like a lightning bolt, reflects Pantone’s signature style. This design element comes to life with metallic rainbow tones, achieved through advanced 3D PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) technology. This technique adds depth and dynamism to the watch’s appearance.
Felipe Pantone’s Artistic Vision: A Dial Like No Other
The dial of the Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone brings together art and watchmaking. Crafted from a sapphire disk, it features a micro-engraved pattern that creates a moiré effect, reminiscent of optical illusions in Pantone’s art. The iridescent dial displays a striking array of colors that shift with the light, similar to a compact disc (CD). This effect is created by combining a mirrored metallic finish on the back of the sapphire dial with a vignette effect that darkens towards the edges.
Pantone’s influence extends to the hands and hour markers, which appear to glitch, a hallmark of his artistic style. These elements, finished in gradient rainbow tones, complement the tourbillon, resulting in a visually cohesive timepiece.
Felipe Pantone expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “I’m excited to unveil my latest collaboration with Zenith, our most exceptional watch to date. It’s a masterpiece of high horology, combining simplicity and sophistication. This complex yet minimalist timepiece features stunning details, including the tiny gradient indexes and hands, the mirror ‘Planned Iridescence’ dial and a truly unique bolt-shaped tourbillon.“
Engineering Excellence: The Heart of the Timepiece
At the core of the Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone is the El Primero 3630 high-frequency automatic movement, a testament to Zenith’s tradition of precision and innovation. This movement provides a robust 60-hour power reserve, ensuring reliable performance. Pantone’s artistic vision is also reflected in the movement, with chromatic elements such as a star-shaped oscillating weight finished with rainbow PVD. These details echo the design of the tourbillon bridge and other metallic components on the dial.
Packaging and Availability: A Complete Artistic Experience
The Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone is presented in a customized watch box, designed to reflect Pantone’s unique style. The box interior features an iridescent pattern that mirrors the watch’s design, while the outer box also carries Pantone’s artistic touch, making the packaging an extension of the timepiece’s narrative.
This limited-edition watch, a true collector’s item, will be available through Zenith’s online and physical boutiques, as well as select retailers, from 14:00 CEST on September 12, 2024.
Conclusion
The Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone stands at the intersection of contemporary art and precision watchmaking. This collaboration between Zenith and Felipe Pantone pushes the boundaries of both art and horology, resulting in a timepiece that is both visually stunning and technically sophisticated. For those interested in exploring this exceptional watch further, more details are available on the official Zenith website.
