Zenith Defy Classic Night Surfer TIME
I was walking through Frankfurt airport yesterday, and saw the strangest thing. A hoodie in a shop that featured both Boss and Russell Athletic logos on the chest. I looked at it quizzically. How odd. But somehow, the kinesis between two dramatically misaligned brands titillated me. I actually went over to the hanger to take a closer look, which practically never happens. And also, it must be said, to check the price. How much of a premium was this bizarre hoodie from fashion’s Isle of Dr Moreau expecting to go for? 100-odd Euro. I walked away with my eyebrows raised and wallet untouched, but having found no reason for harm or foul. It wasn’t for me, but it sure was a new kind of idea. Anyone that has an issue with the rapidly unfolding “remix culture” engulfing the world right now – resulting in countless brand times brand products similar to the bizarre hoodie – probably has a problem with opportunism. With trend-chasing in general. And with laziness. As a watch journalist, the very words “Limited Edition”, can bring on a sigh that starts deep in your soul. Does that mean a new dial colour? Does that mean some kind of minor, meaningless, purely cosmetic adjustment to the core collection to try and rouse more PR? We’re hoping to counter this fatigue in the way we’re going about the watches we are designing and releasing with our favourite brands. Introducing, a microblasted titanium Defy that is kind of [gradient] blue, with a lume star of dreams Our weapons of choice against collab fatigue are a one-two punch of courage and creativity. And in the case of the Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton “Night Surfer” Time+Tide Edition, we had buckets of both on hand. That was largely because our partner in creativity crime happens to be one of the most dynamic, detail-oriented players in the game, Mr Romain Marietta, Director of Product and Heritage for Zenith. After an initial concept that promised some pretty cool twists, Romain delivered us not less than five premieres in this model. We will get to those shortly, but first, the name. The “Night Surfer” is so named for the inspiration that the vertical gradient dial and…