One of the Most Underrated Sports Watches - Zenith Defy Classic Review (2020)

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Күн бұрын

With the success of other models within Zenith's catalog, the Defy has managed to find itself not being mentioned as frequently as I feel it should. In this video we take a closer look at the Defy Classic and why I think it is an overlooked gem in a range of common sports watches that typically get the nod.
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Пікірлер: 458

@theenavybluemonster 4 жыл бұрын

I love how there isn’t a book written on the bottom of the dial. So clean.

@luxuryfood3810 4 жыл бұрын

Los invito a mi Canal. Tengo relojes casuales y formales so Check Tick Tock Watches.

@christopherliang6879 3 жыл бұрын

looking at you pelagos

@theenavybluemonster 3 жыл бұрын

Christopher Yiwei Liang Exactly! 5 lines of text.

@ivanovooko 3 жыл бұрын

@@christopherliang6879 thankfully, the old pelagos only has 2 lines of text.

@ralpharon5523 2 жыл бұрын

Instablaster.

@petec7044 4 жыл бұрын

This watch has it all!! Size , color, titanium my god I want one in my collection. Teddy great job again with this one.

@j.j.h.atemycereal 4 жыл бұрын

I love the hands, and how the second hand “fits” into the channel of the minute and hour hands. And those floating indices?! Killer! But your assessment is dead on; easier bracelet swap-outs would make this a slam dunk. Great video, Teddy.

@angelomarcustodio4898 4 жыл бұрын

I’ve fallen in love with the floating hour markers. Just beautiful!!

@SwissWatchGang 4 жыл бұрын

Zenith rocks! Love their Defy21 models and these as well! Great video Teddy!

@drakeybabe 4 жыл бұрын

Glad to see this fabulous piece on your channel. For me, this is my dream watch.

@skaz1504 3 жыл бұрын

I love the blue - dial version, and your improvement recommendations are spot - on, I think.

@HorologyinSanity 4 жыл бұрын

Great video about a great watch! Been eyeing the El Primero and really enjoyed learning more about this one.

@TheMGsooner 4 жыл бұрын

Phenomenal job Teddy keeping the content coming during all of this, loved your review of the Defy! One thing I think would be great fun: Teddy takes on the Tudor P01 😆

@myklonsip 4 жыл бұрын

Counter balance star on second hand and star rotor are super cool touches that the brand has leveraged well. Not a brand I think of often so thanks for detailed photography

@mikemagnuson1619 4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful watch. The blue is even more striking in person. So so light too!!

@JanHendrikMautsch 4 жыл бұрын

amazing watch for sure, thanks for reviewing. I really love that you are not only focusing on the obvious brands. Would be great if you could also review the skeleton version!

@chriswatchreviews4752 4 жыл бұрын

Love this Teddy, stunning and simple! Great video Sir!

@Furniture121 4 жыл бұрын

I'm a fan of most Zenith watches I've seen., they seem to have style and quality in abundance. If I was shopping in their price range I'd be hard pressed to chose something else.

@Tourtiere34 4 жыл бұрын

agreed; I just really like their design, great quality and amazing history. Great brand.

@Pulsonar Жыл бұрын

Great brand, totally underrated with fascinating history and 1 major standout innovation amongst many - the El Primero

@JamesK1963 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for producing a video for this. I would never know about this. I love it. I might get this one in the future.

@truebluemiata 4 жыл бұрын

A lovely watch Teddy, thanks for presenting it. Yes to the strap change, no to screw down crown. If Zenith has done it right, and they most likely have, water resistance will be perfectly matched for non-SCUBA water activities. I'd like to see more power reserve however. As another comment noted, a lower priced steel version would be a great addition. Odd that Zenith doesn't push these more.

@nfo8117 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Teddy for the great review which allowed me to discover this nice watch and ultimately to acquire it. This is only my first comment, but I wanted to thank you a lot for the content and quality of your videos.

@FS-zn9xe 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Teddy, first of all thank you very much for the great video. As some others already mentioned, Zenith is often overlooked and rather something for an insider. I own a couple of Zenith watches myself, amongst those a Rainbow El Primero, Rainbow Elite and a Class 4 Elite. All great watches, serving me excellently through all the years. Seems Zeniths has seen your video as well, as they have introduced a quick bracelet change system on the smaller 36mm Defy Midnight already. Respective product videos can be found on KZfaq easily. Hopefully it will become part of a product update for the 41mm version too. Then I am instantly going to add one of these to my collection as I love the clean look and do not own a Titanium watch yet.

@williammoss9065 4 жыл бұрын

the best Defy piece in the entire line, Teddy nice fair review thank you for the detail on the strap change out because I really like the rubber strap option and is the change out is an issue as is the screw down crown maybe there is still work to be done

@retired_in_portugal Жыл бұрын

Another great video Teddy, This is definitely my pick over Rolex, Omega and Breitling .... Classic understated style, light weight and its ability to fit well on a small wrist has me selling my other watches to make this my One and only watch

@bradhepditch7605 2 жыл бұрын

Great review! Totally agree, with what you said about the bracelet & the need for a screw down crown.

@sickboy4029 4 жыл бұрын

I agree with your takeaway completely. Totally underrated; I would like to see more dial color options in the future.

@P0werCore 4 жыл бұрын

What a fantastic review Ted and what a beautiful time piece. Would be nice in SS with the screw down crown. Thanks 🙏

@ericarghirudis3462 4 жыл бұрын

thank you for this review !! I love this watch, sober and beautiful dial, amazing integrated bracelet, lug to lug is perfect. I prefer it to an ap or nautilus, she's also my favourite zenith with the 38mm chrono reedition. the only problem: I don't have the money for a watch like this, but if I did it would be the first watch I would purchase

@rfgf72 4 жыл бұрын

Agree on easier to change straps. No screw down for casual pool watch. Easier to wind, no crown issues. Great content. Thanks

@felix111 4 жыл бұрын

What a beauty. That dial is out of this world.

@jpd7 3 жыл бұрын

Looking at this makes me want to get the Classic in both skeleton AND this plain dial. It's just so beautiful.

@jereseilo9714 2 жыл бұрын

Same 🙃

@jameshoward9700 4 жыл бұрын

I've been looking at these for a while and agree, totally overlooked. What puts me off is the lack of screw crown and that silicon escapement. JLC are using these too and I've heard bad things about the use of silicon in the pallet/escapement - especially in the Elite/El Primero movements. I agree a quick strap change mechanism (cp VC Overseas) would be very cool. Nice Junghans too, that sapphire is welcome!

@EverydayWatchGuy 4 жыл бұрын

Very informative and great review from such an under-appreciated brand :)

@throwingdartsandbreakinghearts 4 жыл бұрын

This was the first luxury watch I fell in love with. Still really like it.

@taurean123 4 жыл бұрын

It's on my list for long time. Excellent watch from Zenith.

@SpaghettiKillah 4 жыл бұрын

I love this piece way way more than most Rolex !!

@lensoprezole5322 3 жыл бұрын

Rolex watches look outdated, like 70 years old retired man watch.

@Antervis 3 жыл бұрын

they are for a bit different niche though. They're stealing the light from AP RO's rather than rolexes, but in a different price range, which was kinda vacant.

@almac9203 2 жыл бұрын

@@Antervis the AP RO is very beautiful but expensive and in short supply. Love the design with the exposed screws.

@jacobvonloh69 4 жыл бұрын

Love the Defy. It gives a VC Overseas vibe while still differentiating itself in a unique way and coming in at a more affordable price!

@derludwigwietondon3559 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah I immediately thought it looks like a overseas

@marcgirard7551 4 жыл бұрын

Great video, Teddy! Thorough review!!

@tywinn5786 4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful watch. My only complaint is the dead space on the bottom half of the dial. Thanks for the great review Teddy!

@sunflash101 4 жыл бұрын

Great video as usual, Teddy! I love the design and feel of this watch but I just can't stand the date wheel not color-matched with the dial.

@jorgem8384 4 жыл бұрын

amazing! show the box tedddy next time! need that sweet unboxing feel

@watching_nyc 4 жыл бұрын

i appreciate any non el primero zenith review! imo it looks so much better with the bracelet due to the case shape. thanks, teddy!

@TeddyBaldassarre 4 жыл бұрын

Happy to do it, this was one I was really wanting to do.

@yermekzhantassov2430 4 жыл бұрын

I've considered purchasing this watch with both metal bracelet and rubber strap to have them changed from time to time. No reviewer but you ever mentioned that problem with replacing bands and for that thank you. However, this is a great piece of watch indeed.

@gride5153 3 жыл бұрын

Great review - thank-you I completely agree with you regarding the screw-down crown and strap replacement. They could also bring out a black version. The skeleton dial is just way too busy for me - I can hardly read the time. This plain dial is great. If I were to offer some amendments, they would be the screw down crown with 150-200m WR, a simple standard buckle option for the strap and remove the star on the second hand. GREAT START FOR THIS WATCH SO FAR. I would really consider buying this watch with these updates.

@alextomlinson1725 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent review Teddy. Very cool with the rubber strap. Quite a premium for the bracelet though. I don't have a Junghans but it's only a matter of time..

@evanscussel7955 3 жыл бұрын

Great watch, but the skeletonized version is one of a kind. Super interesting yet actually understated for the style. Very much on my radar.

@fabmusic921 4 жыл бұрын

One of the best looking watch! Will buy it for sure! Thanks for the video 👍🏼

@JonGH33 4 жыл бұрын

I love those hands and indices. I wish more watches opted for that style.

@Samurai9901 4 жыл бұрын

I always get grail vibes from Zenith. Would be nice to see more colour variants from the defy model. The Pilot Type 20 is pretty cool too the 40mm.

@greghodges3153 4 жыл бұрын

Love this watch. It has been on my list for about a year.

@edhammond6911 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. Very informative. Watch is a little plain. Could you do more videos on Seiko divers? Loved your last one on Seiko.Love your work bro. SEIKO IS KING !!!

@fanban2926 4 жыл бұрын

One of the most underrated watches ever, never heard ANY review on KZfaq about it! Seiko SNE 525/27P1 please make a video on it!

@jeffreynolds8167 4 жыл бұрын

As usual great video. All the information needed and right to the point. As you are aware I am a zenith fan. This is great looking watch but as others have said the Ti is not for every one. I prefer a little heft on a sport watch.

@gtguy123 4 жыл бұрын

You really should get some kind of commission from these companies. I lost count how many watch I've bought after seeing your reviews. This watch is absolutely stunning, and I've been wanting to add a Zenith to my collection for a long time now. Looks like this will be the one I save up for next.

@romanopeterj 4 жыл бұрын

Teddy great review. I’ve tried this watch on and it is stunning but weirdly it left me a little cold with the starkness of the plain dial. I would love to see you review the Bulgari Octo Roma as a comparison to this Zenith.

@ref6122 4 жыл бұрын

I couldnt agree more, totally overlooked. If it said Patek on the dial it would go for 30k. BTW the Junghans is super cool.

@kamalchhabra5894 4 жыл бұрын

Price for junghans please

@kamalchhabra5894 4 жыл бұрын

Price for junghans please

@simongoddard8490 4 жыл бұрын

Kamal Chhabra $1325

@hobear637 4 жыл бұрын

Kamal Chhabra the price is specifically stated in the video at 1:05

@dereksbooks 4 жыл бұрын

I've owned many Rolex, IWC, Tudor, Blancpain, JLC, Panerai, Omega, and a Patek. Of them all, the Zenith models that I've had are by far the most underrated and underpriced.

@simontvrner 4 жыл бұрын

Tried it on the wrist at the dealer and couldn't believe how light it feels. Really nice watch!

@TeddyBaldassarre 4 жыл бұрын

On the strap it’s insanely light. Basically the same weight as my nomos Orion 35 mm. That’s saying something 😂

@simontvrner 4 жыл бұрын

@@TeddyBaldassarre Even on the bracelet, its really light. Same feeling as the Octo Finissimo Titanium which IMO goes head to head with the Zenith.

@davidehi 4 жыл бұрын

Teddy, I think the whole brand has been seriously underrated. As you know like JLC they make some of the finest movements produced in Switzerland. For some reason I never purchased a Zenith (I make my own argument) but I do have a wonderful Concord Impressario with a Zenith El Premaro Chronograph movement. You can see it through the sapphire case back and it is absolutely beautiful. Great review Teddy.

@rfgf72 4 жыл бұрын

Teddy, You may want to do a video/review/take on screw down versus push pull crowns. For nondivers I don’t see the advantage of screw down. Thanks

@luxuryfood3810 4 жыл бұрын

Los invito a mi Canal. Tengo relojes casuales y formales so Check Tick Tock Watches.

@stamatislevantis4944 3 жыл бұрын

Great Video as always! i too think this watch offers a lot of value for the money. I wish there was a place in atlanta to actually look at one. My issue with this watch is not having a crew down crown. If it has the same depth rating as the explorer how does zenith achieve that without the screw down crown. I love the simplicity of the dial!

@lewisjones3345 4 жыл бұрын

This is a beautiful piece! I also like that it isn’t just another Rolex professional, or Patek or AP sports model that no one can actually buy!

@Gordon8270 4 жыл бұрын

Hello Teddy. Speaking of integrated bracelet watches could you please review the "new" Omega constellation 36 mm? Can't find any reviews on youtube and think the watch is an interesting value proposition. Love the canal! Tobias

@FM-us3rd 3 жыл бұрын

Great review. I really like this watch and compare it to its more expensive cousin , the Vacheron Overseas. I don't want to afford a VC, so I may just pick up this beautiful watch. I too would have liked a quick release band system, and screw down crown but I still think its a beauty and a deal for its price.

@drzaius844 4 жыл бұрын

It makes sense that the Defy design dates back to the ‘60s, it certainly looks that way. In a really good way. This is gorgeous.

@errolmacdonald3256 3 жыл бұрын

The blue strap is beautiful with the waffle design. And the blue looks to be an exact match to the dial.

@nicholass9591 4 жыл бұрын

Never heard of this one... looks pretty darn good!

@aaronlee1313 4 жыл бұрын

Am I crazy to think this looks so much nicer than the oak?

@topher.m 3 жыл бұрын

I’m with you. And the ti is a nice touch

@styx4947 3 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@PoltergeistWorks 3 жыл бұрын

I wouldn't go so far but... MAKE A BLACK DIAL VERSION and I'm getting one :)

@delontewilliams4090 3 жыл бұрын

My wife just surprised me w one and I always had this above the oak on my grail list and I’m very satisfied w it!

@curtydbikes 3 жыл бұрын

Ur not crazy!

@waseemh3550 4 жыл бұрын

I love it. Completely agree that it's underrated due the the success of the El Primero (38mm on my list). I too would have loved a screw down crown considering it's a sports model

@henrywest7217 4 жыл бұрын

Damn! You've just complicated my life man. I've been thinking hard about an every day, all purpose(maybe rest of my life) unit for a while. I thought that I was settled on a Globe Master, but now...

@blakeinorio5011 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome review, Teddy! Love this watch - only worry I have is how precise can you get the fit on the bracelet? I know it doesn’t have half links.. I like my watches to fit pretty snug. My wrist is similar to yours. Thanks man!

@fedomandez 4 жыл бұрын

I love this watch. I love every detail of it... Those hands are fabulous. However the 41mm scary me. I should try one

@77cjam 4 жыл бұрын

I never knew of this watch until last year when I visited Harrods in London and tried this on (and the Harrods editionTudor). It was absolutely fantastic. I so nearly got my credit card out! (Given what's happened this year I'm glad I didn't). Without doubt my favourite luxury Swiss watch

@michaelfierman3256 4 жыл бұрын

double barrel action today! Can't wait to watch this one.

@tim462 4 жыл бұрын

Great Review about an underrated Watch!

@razahasnain6342 4 жыл бұрын

Grail, absolutely Brilliant watch, and great review 👍

@anthonysimeone4351 4 жыл бұрын

Nice review Teddy!!

@valdo1869 4 жыл бұрын

The watch is so beautiful I was just enjoying lookin at it and decided I need to get that watch but I'm a student and I thought it would be in the 500-1500 dollar range because Teddy often talks about affordable watches and that's something I can still save up to but I looked up the price and guess I'll have to wait a few years

@ivanovooko 3 жыл бұрын

teddy, thank you for the superb review. how would you compare espada to this model? i like them both. the espada has a nicer date window and a more favorable price, but the defy classic has a dial that is nicer and cleaner.

@goodnameyt6675 4 жыл бұрын

Great job Teddy!

@charleshermetix3886 4 жыл бұрын

Indeed,totally unmentioned awesome Zenith..i recently wondered what i would get if i was suddenly rich,loving the Royal oak strap but disliking both it and the Nautilus. searching for options the zenith came up and seems to me a way cooler watch than both the Genta designs

@blomps9442 4 жыл бұрын

Zenith are seriously good watches... Defy 21 is on my wish list... can you get your hands on one of them to review? Would be awesome! Keep up the great work buddy.

@jonrickard1743 4 жыл бұрын

My vote for an under appreciated watch is the Omega Planet Ocean 600M 39.5mm. I see the Sinn U50, Tudor Pelagos, and Rolex Submariner getting a lot of love, but this watch does more. Also, particularly in the grey market, this watch delivers a lot more than the Pelagos (probably the closest comparison) while only costing a bit more. What really drives the point home is the size. The Pelagos and Submariner are all pretty large, while this is more reasonable from a case diameter perspective.

@tanmayarora46 4 жыл бұрын

I have a Zenith which was owned by my great grandfather. He was a Magistrate in Karachi under British Rule.

@danieltaylor4475 4 жыл бұрын

I’d love to see a review of the Omega DeVille Tresor in steel with the silver dial. I think it’s stunning but seems to have been overlooked in favour of the blue dial variant

@florianhess 4 жыл бұрын

Not usually a movement guy, but that is a dope looking piece of technology.

@felipequinteiro4557 4 жыл бұрын

Do a review about the Zenith Defy El Primero 21 please , this one is amazing !!

@bwcastillo 3 жыл бұрын

The thing I really love most about this watch is the price. It’s so beautiful and well made, it would be a bargain at twice the msrp. Having said that, it’s almost foolish not to buy it. Now if you’ll excuse me my crack is burning.

@jozzo6 Жыл бұрын

Hope you sorted the crack out mate

@geroldatlarge1841 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent review.

@sumanth13 4 жыл бұрын

That was a great presentation Teddy. It'd be great if you could review Hublot Classic Fusion, I find some similarities

@TeddyBaldassarre 4 жыл бұрын

The best Hublot in my opinion.

@andrewbrown5636 4 жыл бұрын

Was really excited about viewing and trying this on at my local ADs.. looked great, unfortunately the light weight titanium was a turn off. Would have one if they made it in steel

@lpg12338 3 жыл бұрын

Exactly, I would love a steel version. 👍

@marcd7332 2 жыл бұрын

The WR was the turn off for me, perfect watch otherwise.

@lepetitsuisse17 2 жыл бұрын

@@marcd7332 why? I think 100 meters is plenty. A screw down crown would be nice of course!

@markedfortime 4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful watch, but I'm getting my 300M before I could consider this one. Thanks for the review!

@IFLWatches 4 жыл бұрын

It’s a beautiful watch and very well finished. I actually considered one myself since it, altough it is a 41mm watch, would fit my 16.5cm wrist well since the lug to lug is pretty short. However I felt the thin bezel made the dial huge so I got the ”frying pan” feeling on the wrist. /Aleks

@p.j.mendes 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic watch,Teddy. This blue is amazing. But the price....oh,the price... On the opposite side,( regarding price and style),since you asked for suggestions to your future reviews I would love to hear your comments on the new Borealis Cascais.

@brandonl6626 4 жыл бұрын

This watch is a knockout. Nice review TB!

@manofthehour_ 4 жыл бұрын

I was deliberating over getting this or the blue Rolex OP 36mm. Tried both on the wrist before making my decision - the build quality and finishing of this beats out the Rolex comfortably imo. I only went with the latter because I liked the look better and felt the dial on the Zenith was a tad bare.

@lensoprezole5322 3 жыл бұрын

Teddy Hello, how the Zenith defy classic compares with the Omega master chonometer in terms of magnestism resistance ? How much of a difference there is between the two ? Is it really important to focus on magnetic resistance when buying an automatic watch ? Could you make a video to explain everything about this topic and mostly in "the process" of buying a watch ? Thank you very much and have a good day.

@paulhiggins8774 4 жыл бұрын

That dial is stunning, could have moved the date down to 6 to make it more symmetrical, however it is a quality watch

@twentysixand6228 4 жыл бұрын

I think the Zenith Defy Classic is one of my favourite watches I know I will never buy. I like pretty much everything about it. But it just doesn't give me the same feeling as other watches for some reason

@llcharl1e 3 жыл бұрын

Nice review Teddy. Can you review the Girard Perregaux Laureato 38mm?

@muhammadksalem5587 4 жыл бұрын

Hello teddy .. I have watched 100 plus of your videos which I offered me great leap into being well informed about valuable watches .. what do you think of Zanith star moonphase .. also I own rado true heart & omega great white .. now I am thinking thoroughly of owing dress watch with moonphase feature and either manual winding or quartz movement .. what do you recommend

@kevinhudson104 4 жыл бұрын

Teddy, I really enjoy the channel. Maybe after all the social distancing a Cleveland Watch Meet Up can be organized, seems to be a decent sized group of collectors/enthusiasts around town. For an everyday watch is the Defy worth $5k more than the 39mm Aikon?

@mathiasandersen9328 2 жыл бұрын

And would you look at that - 18 months later Zenith launches the Defy Skyline with exactly the changes that Teddy suggests - Screw Down crown and 300m water resistance, quick change for the bracelets, and even the el primero movement inside - watch out Aqua Terra :-)

@williamrizzo1285 4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful watch, love the size but not a fan of titanium. I ended up purchasing an Omega Aqua Terra in the green dial variant. Thank you for this review.

@radidoc4832 3 жыл бұрын

Zenith is interesting but agree with you regarding lack of screw down back and limited swap options are definite negatives, a no-go for me. I was also kinda interested in now discontinued Espada. I would love to see 36000 sweep on the big dial, not relegated to small running counter or on chronograph function. Give me Espada reissue with screw down back, 22 lug, and hacking seconds!

@sleepingsumo17 4 жыл бұрын

Simple and elegant. this watch is stunning man

@TeddyBaldassarre 4 жыл бұрын

Agreed! A real winner!

@sleepingsumo17 4 жыл бұрын

@@TeddyBaldassarre Teddy you were a major inspiration for me starting my watch channel. keep up the good work. Those macro shots you filmed are awesome

@TeddyBaldassarre 4 жыл бұрын

Honored to hear that man! I’ll check out the channel!

@MoDeG7 4 жыл бұрын

stunning watch in every aspect until...i dont know i really cant get the seconds hand (that star)...it makes it look...i cant even find a word...