Following the acclaimed and sought-after reissues of the historic El Primero watches of the 1960s and 1970s, Zenith Manufacture has turned its attention to another landmark model from 1969: the Defy Revival A3642, a modern re-issue of the original Defy model.

While 1969 was a landmark year for Zenith and the entire watchmaking industry with the launch of the El Primero caliber, the same year also saw the birth of another Zenith sensation: the Defy collection. Bravely confronting the proliferation of quartz watches that threatened traditional Swiss watchmaking, Zenith demonstrated the power of mechanical movements by creating timepieces with edgy designs and robustness that were not available in the mass-produced electronic watches of the time.


This bold idea was realized in the Defy A3642, which pioneered new avenues of design and performance for the Manufacture. The A3642 was nicknamed "coffre-fort," French for "bank vault" or "safe deposit box." Its bold octagonal case, combined with its 14-sided bezel, perfectly conveyed audacity and robustness through clean lines and faceting with a range of finishes, a theme that continues to be felt in Zenith's modern-day Defy collection. With its steel "ladder" bracelet designed and crafted by the renowned Gay Freire, the original Defy was certainly ahead of its time as a sporty steel bracelet watch with a highly geometric design. Water-resistant to 30 bar (300 m) thanks to a screw-down crown, the Defy A3642 and its modern re-editions were undoubtedly watches for any terrain and situation.


Recreated with astonishing accuracy from the original 1969 blueprints, the Defy Revival A3642 recaptures all the details and distinctive design elements that made the original so distinctive, a standard that continues to inspire modern-day Defy models. The warm gray dial, with a striking gradient effect that darkens towards the edges, was completely new when it was launched in 1969. The unusual square applied hour markers feature horizontal grooves that convey a sense of perpetual movement. The wide sword-shaped hands are generously filled with Super-LumiNova in a hue similar to the tritium found on the original, and are paired with a paddle-shaped seconds hand, a distinctive feature of many Zenith watches from the period. The only visual differences between the reissue and the original are the sapphire crystal, the view-through caseback, and the type of luminous material.


Another key difference is how time is measured internally. Instead of the original solid caseback, decorated with a four-pointed star—a design element that would become one of the brand's logos and recurring over the years—the Defy Revival A3642 features a sapphire crystal caseback revealing the in-house automatic Elite 670 movement. This movement beats at 4Hz (28,800 vph) and offers a 50-hour power reserve when fully wound.

With the Defy Revival A3642, Zenith is not only reviving one of its most daring and distinctive models since the 1960s, but also, by returning to its roots, drawing attention to the unique origins of Zenith's most daring and innovative collection.

Zenith will soon unveil a modern version of the original Defy, featuring a more refined, more contemporary architecture and an entirely new level of performance. Stay tuned!

DEFY Revival A3642


Reference: 03.A3642.670/75.M3642
Price including tax:  ¥803,000
Features: A reproduction of the 1969 reference A3642. Features an octagonal case with the iconic 14-sided bezel. Limited edition of 250 pieces
Movement: Elite 670, automatic movement
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve: More than 50 hours
Functions: Central hour and minute hands. Centre seconds and date at 4:30
Finishing: New satin-finished star-shaped rotor weight
Material: Stainless steel
Water resistance: 30 bar
Case: 36 mm
Dial: Gradient brown
Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted, filled with Super-LumiNova SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Stainless steel "Ladder" bracelet.



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