Introducing the Zenith Defy Classic Fusalp

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of skiwear maker Fusalp, Zenith teams up with the French tailor to create a pair of limited-edition, ceramic sports watches in ceramic. Available in either black or white ceramic, the Defy Classic Fusalp also features an interesting dial that’s been cut out with a snowflake pattern to complement the winter theme.

The Low-Down

Despite being a mechanically simple watch, the Defy Classic is inherently appealing with its multi-faceted case and a compact dimensions. This new pair retains all the good qualities but manages to differentiate with a ceramic case. Being lightweight, scratch-resistant, and shiny, ceramic is the perfect choice for a sports watch with a contemporary edge.

Zenith Defy Classic Fusalp

A large part of the contemporary feel, however, comes not from the case but the dial. In a standard Defy, the skeletonized dial bears the brand’s star logo, which the Fusalp edition preserves. But here it’s been tweaked to include a snowflake pattern as well, resulting in a two-tone dial that’s more elaborate than that on a regular model.

Once a supplier of ski gear to the French national ski team, Fusalp has smartly utilized its technical prowess in material science and tailoring techniques to create luxurious yet functional winter clothes, which has earned the 70-year-old brand a cult following.

Interestingly, Fusalp has launched a slew of winter apparel designed around the pair of limited editions. The new jacket, for instance, has a zipped opening on the outer shell to reveal a second, softer fabric layer underneath, which means the time can be easily checked without having to roll up the sleeves.

Zenith Defy Classic Fusalp

In a nod to their collaborator, Zenith has incorporated a tri-colour ring around the dial in the colours of the national flag of France — blue, white, and red. As with the gilt details, the tri-colour band is a subtle but striking detail to liven up the all-white or all-black palette.

Inside the watch is the Elite 670, an automatic movement with 48 hours of power reserve. Equipped with a silicon escape wheel and pallet lever, the Elite is a reliable workhorse that’s found even in higher end watches such as an Urwerk.

IMHO

Enthusiasts that fancy watches with an integrated design will find the Zenith Defy Classic a strong contender in the range of under USD 10,000, and this latest edition is even more compelling with a ceramic case, which isn’t novel but remains uncommon even when integrated sports watches proliferate.

Zenith Defy Classic Fusalp
Zenith Defy Classic Fusalp

Between the two new editions, the all-white version is perhaps more striking (and unconventional), and it will be produced in a more limited quantity of 100 pieces, as opposed to 300 pieces for the black version. This alpine scarcity comes at a price – it commands a 10% premium over the black version.

Tech Specs

Zenith Defy Classic Fusalp

Movement: Elite 670 skeleton; automatic; 48 hours power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date
Case: 41 mm; white or black ceramic; water resistant to 100 m
Strap: Rubber strap with folding clasp
Price: USD 11,000 (white); USD 10,000 (black)
Availability: 100 pieces (white); 300 pieces (black)

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