The collaboration between Zenith and contemporary artist Felipe Pantone enters the next round. This latest creation, the Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone, will be released as a limited edition of 100 pieces and will be available from 12 September 2024. Zenith and internationally recognised artist Felipe Pantone are here bringing their signature elements into a new form. The Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone is characterised by its unique design, which bridges the gap between contemporary art and modern watchmaking.
The case of the Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone is made of stainless steel and measures 41 mm in diameter. It features a geometric and angular shape, which gives the moving miniature work of art inside an architectural frame. The surface of the case alternates between satinised and polished, which enhances the visual effect. The twelve-sided bezel, the sharp facets and the softly polished contours create an impressive play of light. Each corner of the case is engraved with a character that together form ‘FPT1’, which stands for ‘Felipe Pantone Tourbillon #1’. The case is water-resistant to 10 bar (~100 metres).
The dial of the Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone is made of sapphire crystal and features an engraved pattern of concentric circles, reminiscent of the moiré effect often found in Felipe Pantone’s artwork. The sapphire crystal dial has a mirrored metallic finish which, together with the micro-engraving, creates a striking colour spectrum similar to that of a CD. To further enhance the visual depth of the dial, the design darkens towards the edge, like a vignette. The hands and the applied hour indices have a rainbow colour gradient and are deformed in the centre, reflecting Felipe Pantone’s style of distortion. The hands and indices have a rainbow-coloured PVD coating that matches the design of the tourbillon at 6 o’clock, which is shaped like a lightning bolt.
The Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone is powered by the El Primero 3630 automatic high-frequency manufacture movement, which has a power reserve of around 60 hours and beats at a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz). The tourbillon, which completes one revolution every 60 seconds, is visible at 6 o’clock and was specially designed for this joint edition in the shape of a lightning bolt. The tourbillon cage consists of 56 components and is finished with a rainbow-coloured PVD coating, which gives the design of the watch an additional depth of colour. The star-shaped oscillating weight of the movement also has a rainbow-coloured PVD coating.
The Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone comes with a stainless steel bracelet that can easily be replaced with the black rubber strap supplied. The stainless steel bracelet emphasises the ergonomics of the watch and ensures a high level of wearing comfort. The rubber strap features a starry sky pattern. Both straps are fitted with a stainless steel folding clasp.
The Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone is available in a limited edition of 100 pieces. The sale starts on 12 September 2024 at 14:00. Interested buyers can purchase the watch in all Zenith boutiques, online and at selected retailers worldwide. The price for the Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone is 65,000 euros.
