Zenith and Felipe Pantone Reunite in a Scintillating New Timepiece

The latest collaborative timepiece between Zenith and Felipe Pantone is quite a spectacle — no surprises there. This time, the Defy Skyline Tourbillon Felipe Pantone catches the eye with an iridescent dial, crafted from a sapphire disc with micro-engraved concentric circles effecting the moiré optical illusion. Combined with a mirrored metallic finish, it produces a mesmerising display of colours reminiscent of a CD’s shiny surface. A vignette adds even more visual depth. 

Equally chromatic is the tourbillon bridge in the shape of a lightning bolt, a recurring Pantone signature. Its metallic gradient rainbow finish is achieved through a three-dimensional PVD treatment originally pioneered in the duo’s first timepiece, the Defy 21 Felipe Pantone from 2021, and it is just as livewire as before. Kinked hands and hour markers are also blazed with the spectrum, like graphical glitches that light up the watch. We speak with the Valencia-based artist about his latest Zenith creation.

This is the fourth Zenith timepiece you’ve designed.

What’s great about working with Zenith is the collaborative spirit and creative freedom they afford me. They have a deep respect for artistry, and that mutual respect fosters an environment where truly innovative ideas can flourish. I get the opportunity to push boundaries, whether it’s experimenting with new materials, rethinking traditional design elements, or incorporating my signatures like the lightning bolt into the Defy Skyline Tourbillon. The partnership continues to evolve, and that sense of ongoing discovery and innovation is incredibly rewarding.

It’s also the first time you’re working on the Defy Skyline. How is your approach different compared to previous timepieces?

It’s more refined and deliberate. With the Defy 21 and Defy Extreme, the focus was on embracing the boldness and technical prowess of those models. For this, I wanted to create something that was both sophisticated and striking, using elements like the lightning bolt-shaped tourbillon bridge to merge art with precision engineering. The Defy Skyline Tourbillon demanded a balance between subtlety and impact, and that required a more nuanced design approach.

You often utilise Op Art elements in your work. What sensations are you trying to convey with the prismatic dial of the watch?

The prismatic dial is designed to create a sense of movement and energy, even when the watch is still. Op Art is all about engaging the viewer, drawing them in with optical illusions that seem to shift and change. I wanted to evoke that dynamic experience with this dial, making the wearer feel like they’re seeing something in constant motion — a reflection of our fast-paced, ever-changing world.

The dial effect mirrors the works in your Planned Iridescence series.

Planned Iridescence is something I started after meeting the late [Venezuelan artist] Carlos Cruz-Diez. His work and understanding of colour is the essence of the series. With the Defy Skyline Tourbillon, the goal was to create something that feels both organic and technological, a blend that’s exemplified by the dial. The challenge was to make something that feels spontaneous, yet is entirely calculated.

Ever since you were introduced to the world of watchmaking, has it influenced your art in any way?

Definitely. Watchmaking has given me a new appreciation for precision and detail. The meticulous craftsmanship involved in creating something like the Defy Skyline Tourbillon has inspired me to think more deeply about the intersection of art and engineering. It’s a world where every detail matters, and that’s influenced how I approach my own work, particularly in terms of how I think about time, movement, and the interplay of form and function.