Introducing Zenith Celebrates 160 Years with a Blue Ceramic Trilogy

Zenith has always aimed high, an approach reflected in its name, which is taken from the highest point in the sky. Over the years, the color blue has become a subtle but powerful part of the brand’s identity, symbolizing the celestial and aspirational themes that define Zenith’s watches. We’ve seen this in many of the brand’s releases, such as the Defy Skyline Tourbillon and the Defy Skyline Skeleton. However, in these models, blue was integrated as an accent. This year, the brand is taking it up a notch. To celebrate its 160th anniversary, Zenith unveils a bold trio of watches crafted entirely from blue ceramic: the Chronomaster Sport, the Defy Skyline Chronograph, and the Pilot Big Date Flyback.

Each model is housed in a blue ceramic case, a material chosen for its durability, lightness, and resistance to scratches. However, coloring ceramic is notoriously difficult, and achieving Zenith’s signature rich blue tone involved overcoming significant technical challenges during production. The Chronomaster Sport features a 41mm case with a thickness of 13.8mm, showcasing a mix of polished and brushed finishes, and a ceramic bezel featuring a 1/10th of a second scale. The Defy Skyline Chronograph also measures 41mm in diameter but is slightly slimmer at 13.5mm thick, and it has a 12-sided flange that also features a 1/10th of a second scale.

Meanwhile, the Pilot Big Date Flyback stands out with a larger 42.5mm case and a robust 14.25mm thickness, as we expect from a pilot’s watch. All three models feature sapphire crystal casebacks, offering a clear view of the iconic El Primero movements inside. Water resistance is rated at 100 meters across the trilogy, ensuring they are practical as well as stylish for everyday wear.

The Chronomaster Sport’s blue dial is punctuated by Zenith’s iconic tri-colored snailed sub-dials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. The chronograph seconds hand, as well as the hands of the chronograph counters, are tipped in red. The dial also features a date window at 4:30.

The Defy Skyline Chronograph offers a bold sunburst blue dial, decorated with Zenith’s signature four-pointed star pattern. The tri-compax layout is neatly arranged, and the strong lines of the dial complement the angular case design. The hands and applied indices are treated with Super-LumiNova for excellent legibility, and the date window appears at 4:30.

The Pilot Big Date Flyback stays true to pilot watch traditions with oversized, highly legible Arabic numerals and bold cathedral hands, both filled with white Super-LumiNova. The blue dial is clean and functional, featuring a prominent big date display at 6 o’clock and a bi-compax layout.

All three watches are powered by high-frequency automatic El Primero movements, running at 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour) to deliver highly precise chronograph readings. Each movement is finished with a special rotor engraved with a 160th-anniversary logo to celebrate this milestone collection. The Chronomaster Sport and the Defy Skyline Chronograph are driven by the El Primero 3600 caliber, while the Pilot Big Date Flyback is powered by the El Primero 3652 caliber, specially designed for aviation needs. All movements are backed by a 60-hour power reserve.

The Chronomaster Sport and the Defy Skyline Chronograph come with a full blue ceramic bracelet, and the Pilot Big Date Flyback is equipped with a blue fabric-effect rubber strap.

Each of the three watches is limited to 160 pieces. As for the prices, the Chronomaster Sport Blue Ceramic is priced at CHF 21,900, approximately AED 93,500, the Defy Skyline Chronograph Blue Ceramic at CHF 22,900, approximately AED 97,700, and the Pilot Big Date Flyback Blue Ceramic at CHF 15,400, approximately AED 65,700.

For more information, you can visit Zenith’s official website.