An Iconic Brand Raised the ‘Surfer’ Watch to a Whole New Level, and It Is Gorgeous

When you think of a surfer watch, something rugged and affordable probably comes to mind, maybe with a digital screen and tide monitor.

But the team at Time & Tide had much grander ambitions when teaming up with Zenith in 2021.

Zenith

The partnership between the Australian watch shop and editorial outlet and the esteemed Swiss watchmaker began four years ago with a microblasted titanium skeletonized watch dubbed the Night Surfer.

Two years later, the Night Surfer got a significant movement upgrade with a small seconds El Primero caliber 3620 SK high-beat automatic. Now, the trilogy is complete with the fully overhauled White Surfer.

Zenith

While the movement matches the previous iteration — and what a movement it is — virtually everything else about this “surfers watch” is maxed out for visual beauty and peak performance.

This luxurious aquatic adventure watch’s highlights include a white ceramic case and a fully colored movement, but the nuances go much deeper.

A crystal blue sea

All three watches in the Surfer Watch series have skeletonized dials, but unlike with most cinematic trilogies, the last is by far the best. To start with, Zenith and Time & Tide utilized the transparent dial to create depth and shading with a fully colored movement.

Zenith

The effect is akin to a dial texture but with enhanced depth and motion. Different shades of light blue, with hints of silver and purple, are layered on top of each other and move with the watch’s ticking.

Various brushing and polishing finishes enhance the effect as light reacts differently at every angle. The overall appearance resembles the hypnotic effect of watching crystal blue ocean water ripple in the sunlight.

Zenith

Enhancing the striking visual display is the Zenith El Primero caliber 3620 SK high-beat automatic movement’s unique small seconds dial, which makes a full rotation every 10 seconds.

The other significant improvements to the final Surfer Watch are the white ceramic case and matching H-link bracelet. Even the oversized signed crown with a star-shaped grip is white ceramic.

Zenith

It gives the watch a distinctly summer and beach vibe missing from the previous two entries. None of the durability and lightness of the titanium models was lost in the upgrade.

Lets go surfin’ now

OK, if we’re being sincere here, no serious surfer would paddle out in this watch, except maybe Time & Tide Founder and CEO Andrew McUthen. A $100 G-Shock would be far more appropriate, because a watch of this caliber is massive overkill.

Zenith

That said, it is one of the most beautiful summer watches I’ve ever come across. Even as someone who doesn’t care for skeletonized dials, I have to admit the application of color and texture to this one is a work of art.

The white ceramic glows in the sunlight, and a combination of brushed and polished surfaces emphasizes the dodecagonal bezel and angular case. It begs to be worn on a beach or while lounging by a pool.

Zenith

While it is certainly not a dive watch, this luxurious modern sports watch is equipped for aquatic adventures at or near the surface, thanks to 100m water resistance and the ultra-durable ceramic case.

Even Zenith’s simplest production models are works of art, but when the brand gets experimental and inventive, we’re blessed with some truly special watches. The Time & Tide White Surfer is the perfect example.

Availability and pricing

The Zenith x Time & Tide Defy Skyline Skeletonized ‘White Surfer’ Ceramic will be available on July 11 from Time & Tide and select Zenith boutiques for $19,600.

It is a limited edition of 100 pieces, and Time & Tide Founder and CEO Andrew McUthen insists that it will never be reproduced.

Zenith

Zenith Defy Skyline Skeletonized White Surfer Ceramic

Specs

Case Size	41m
Movement	Zenith El Primero caliber 3620 SK automatic
Water Resistance	100m

• $19,600 at Time & Tide

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