ZENITH & Felipe Pantone’s DEFY Skyline Tourbillon Will Blow Your Mind

The universe of haute horlogerie just got a high-voltage jolt from the audacious mind of contemporary artist Felipe Pantone. In a world where precision meets visual ecstasy, ZENITH and Pantone are back, and they're not here to play it safe. Marking their third electrifying collaboration, the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone is set to shake up the status quo—and probably your Instagram feed too.

For those of you keeping score, this isn't their first rodeo. The duo first made waves back in 2020 when Pantone gave ZENITH's iconic Manufacture a fresh face with a custom tarpaulin design. Fast forward to 2021, and they dropped a DEFY 21 series that sold out faster than you can say "limited edition." Not to mention the jaw-dropping DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon in a sapphire case, which set an all-time high at the OnlyWatch charity auction. Clearly, these two are on a roll, and they’re not about to let up.

So, what's the latest buzz? Enter the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone—a watch that’s not just a timepiece but a tiny, wearable piece of kinetic art. Limited to just 100 pieces and set to drop on September 12, 2024, this creation is everything you'd expect from a Pantone-ZENITH collab: bold, boundary-pushing, and damn near impossible to ignore.

Pantone himself is pretty stoked about this latest masterpiece. "It's a blend of simplicity and sophistication," he says. But don't let that fool you—this watch is anything but simple. It’s got gradient indexes and hands so sleek they'll make your eyes water, a mirror 'Planned Iridescence' dial that’s pure eye candy, and a tourbillon that's—get this—bolt-shaped. Yup, they went there.

Wrapped in a 41mm octagonal stainless-steel case, the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone is as sharp and angular as Pantone’s own style. It’s got alternating satin-brushed and polished finishes, plus an interchangeable steel bracelet and black rubber strap to keep things versatile. The dodecagonal bezel and engraved “FPT1” initials on the case corners scream exclusivity, while the play of light across its polished surfaces is downright mesmerising.

But let’s talk about that dial. Forget everything you thought you knew about watch faces. This one’s iridescent, crafted from sapphire and engraved with concentric circles that mimic Pantone’s signature moiré effect. With a mirrored metallic finish on the back and a vignette effect that gives off serious retro vibes, this dial is like looking into a futuristic kaleidoscope. And yes, it’s as trippy as it sounds.

Under the hood, the watch is powered by the El Primero 3630 high-frequency automatic manufacture movement, complete with a 60-hour power reserve. Even the movement isn’t safe from Pantone’s artistic flair, featuring a star-shaped oscillating weight with a rainbow PVD finish that matches the tourbillon cage and bridge. If there’s a more visually arresting watch movement out there, we haven’t seen it.

Of course, this masterpiece comes packaged in a custom box designed by Pantone himself, with an iridescent interior that’s as much a part of the experience as the watch. Because why settle for anything less?

If you’re lucky enough to snag one of these 100 pieces, you’ll want to set a reminder for September 12 at 14:00 CEST, when the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone drops at ZENITH boutiques and select retailers. Trust us—this is one launch you don’t want to miss.