spirtFor LVMH Watch Week, Zenith are continuing to expand the Defy Revival series, this time taking a look at the 1969 A3643. It’s a follow up to the Revival A3642 from 2022, which kicked off the whole Defy Revival series that has become one of their more popular series in recent years. I’ve been hands-on to see how the latest model stacks up.
Out of the box, I always forget just how shiny the Defy Revival models are. The 37mm case with its distinctive angular design has large polished surfaces that can’t fail to catch the light no matter what angle you hold the watch at. The large flat surfaces also make the watch seem larger on the wrist than it is on paper, especially with the way the facetted design leads into the hidden lugs attaching to the ladder bracelet. It’s also surprisingly rugged with 300m water resistance.
The dial of the A3643 only heightens the impression of shininess as it’s full silver tone with a high sheen sunray brushed finish. That’s paired with angular, applied hour markers and lumed pencil hands in the centre of the display. One of its most distinguishing features is the addition of orange lume to the tip of the rectangular seconds hand, which really attracts the eye as it makes its orbit around the dial. It’s a lesson in how an intentionally simple display doesn’t have to feel minimalist.
Undoing the ladder bracelet and taking a look at the watch’s exhibition caseback reveals the Elite 670 automatic movement. It has a 50-hour power and a 4Hz frequency, which is positively tame by Zenith standards. A main reason for that is that it’s an Elite movement rather than Zenith’s more famous hi-beat El Primero, which features in some of their other LVMH releases and even the new Tiffany Timer by Tiffany & Co.
I’ve mentioned it a few times already so let’s address it properly, the Defy Revival A3643’s ladder bracelet. It might be iconic but I don’t like it. The gaps between the links that let hairs stick up just isn’t appealing, as if something is missing. Fortunately, a strap or bracelet is the easiest thing to change about a watch and while the Defy has the appearance of being an integrated bracelet, it’s more of a hidden lug arrangement.
As the Revival A3643 is a sequel to the A3642, it shares a similar price of £6,700. Which is among the most accessible of the Defy models despite the fact that, in my opinion, it feels more special and distinctive.
Price and Specs:
More details at Zenith.
