It seems Andrew McUtchen might have been channeling Pythagoras himself, because with the launch of the Zenith DEFY Skyline Skeleton “White Surfer” Ceramic, Time+Tide has completed a trilogy that feels less like a product release and more like a horological prophecy fulfilled.

If the ancient philosopher believed three was the number of harmony and completeness, then this third chapter in the Night Surfer saga certainly fits the bill. Following the 2021 debut of the Defy Classic Skeleton Night Surfer, and its 2023 sibling, the Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero, it was only a matter of time before a final crescendo dropped. And in true Time+Tide fashion, they didn’t just stick the landing. they did so with style, swagger, and a fresh coat of ceramic white.

Unlike the deep, moody hues of its predecessors, each encased in blasted titanium with electric blue skeletonised dials, the White Surfer flips the script entirely. This time, it's not surfing the night; it's catching waves under the noonday sun. The choice of white ceramic isn’t just aesthetic; it’s a statement. Crisp, bold, and unapologetically cool, the White Surfer gleams like salt spray on a summer morning.

But beyond the aesthetics, this is a watch built with the same technical prowess Zenith brings to the table every time. It’s powered by the El Primero movement, beating away at 36,000vph beneath the openworked dial, and encased in high-tech ceramic, offering the lightness and scratch resistance one expects from modern watchmaking.

Together, these three models form a trilogy not just in form, but in philosophy, darkness to light, dusk to dawn, night to day. If the previous two were nocturnes, the White Surfer is the euphoric sunrise.

Time+Tide and Zenith have struck gold (or rather, ceramic) once again. The white ceramic case, may not be everyones taste, however, get one on the wrist, and my guess is that you’ll be changing your opinion pretty sharpish. On wrist, it takes its prescence to another level, demanding to be seen.

There’s something inherently satisfying about the cool touch of ceramic against the skin, especially when it's been engineered to perfection. That sensation alone is enough to leave an impression, but when you add its scratch-resistant properties and hypoallergenic nature into the mix, the Zenith DEFY Skyline Skeleton “White Surfer” Ceramic becomes more than just a pretty face, it becomes your wrist’s best friend on even the most sun-soaked adventures.

Sticking to the proportions that made its predecessors so wearable, the White Surfer measures in at a confident 41mm in diameter, just 11.6mm thick, and stretches 46.3mm lug-to-lug. It feels substantial enough to remind you it's there, but thanks to its ceramic shell, it wears feather-light—perfect for those long, heat-hazed summer days where comfort is key.

Visually, it delivers a clean contrast of brushed and polished finishes. The dodecagonal bezel, faithful to the design language of the original 1969 Defy, is especially captivating in this creamy ceramic form, gleaming like surf-polished shells under the sun. The screw-down crown, shaped like Zenith’s signature star, follows suit in full ceramic. Even the caseback ring, typically a hidden afterthought, gets the same treatment, underscoring the thoughtful execution behind every element.

And let’s not forget, it’s made for the elements. With 100 metres of water resistance, the White Surfer isn’t just for admiring; it’s built to be used, whether you're diving off a pier or just fending off an aggressive garden hose.

The dial, however, is where things start to shimmer. Departing from the electric blue heat of the Night Surfers, the WhiteSurfer instead channels coolness—literal and visual—with a gradient ice blue palette. The openworked bridges transition beautifully from deep cobalt at the top to glacier blue at the base, evoking the swirl of sand and seafoam where waves meet the shore. It’s a serene, almost meditative shift in tone, matched by a similarly tinted mainplate, the first of its kind for Zenith.

Lines of luminous material trace the bridges, ensuring legibility in low light, but it’s the star-shaped logo that steals the spotlight: machined from a solid piece of Super-LumiNova, it glows with the confidence of a brand that knows exactly what it's doing.

The DEFY Skyline Skeleton “White Surfer” doesn’t just talk the talk, it glides across your wrist with the confidence of a seasoned wave rider. Mounted on a brushed white ceramic integrated bracelet, the watch offers a wearing experience that feels more couture than chrono. The bracelet’s gentle taper toward a butterfly clasp wraps around the wrist like silk, its fluidity and weightlessness evoking high-end jewellery more than traditional tool watch ruggedness.

But it’s not just about looks, it’s about light. The way this white ceramic catches and reflects sunlight is nothing short of dazzling. Every tilt of the wrist turns it into a kinetic sculpture, playing with contrast and sheen like ocean light glinting off rolling waves. You’ll catch yourself checking the time just to see how it sparkles.

For those moments when you want to dial up the sporty vibes, the White Surfer also comes with a white textured rubber strap, secured by a folding clasp. Thanks to Zenith’s intuitive push-button quick-change system, swapping from bracelet to strap takes seconds, no tools, no stress, just flexibility on the fly.

Under the hood, the White Surfer houses the legendary El Primero 3620 SK, a high-frequency, high-performance movement that beats at an impressive 5 Hz. With a silicon escapement, hacking seconds, and a robust 55-hour power reserve, this engine is built for both precision and play. Just like the rest of the watch, the movement has been given the full whiteout treatment; its bridges and openworked rotor are finished in cool shades of blue that mirror the dial’s gradient palette. Flip the watch over and you’ll find the mechanical equivalent of a glacial lagoon, fresh, sharp, and stunningly serene.

Adding to the horological punch, it also features a 1/10th of a second indicator at 6 o’clock in place of a traditional small seconds, a nod to the El Primero’s high-beat prowess. It’s a clever reminder that this watch isn’t just pretty; it’s precise, too. The WhiteSurfer is more than a watch, it’s a statement. A bold, beautiful blend of summer fun and serious horological muscle.

Time+Tide seem to have mastered the fine art of reading the room. Like a horological mind-reader, Andrew McUtchen consistently delivers watches that strike the perfect balance between collector fantasy and everyday wearability. This time, he’s done it again, with the precision of a surfer catching the cleanest wave at dawn.

With the Zenith DEFY Skyline Skeleton “White Surfer”, Time+Tide may have just unveiled their most compelling collaboration yet. It’s bold, refreshing, and hits the summer watch wishlist squarely between the eyes. From its glacial blue dial to its slinky ceramic bracelet, this is a watch that’s equal parts beach-ready and boutique-luxury.

And while the price tag of £17,700 might give some pause, it’s unlikely to stop the serious collectors. Limited to just 100 pieces, this isn’t a watch that’ll be hanging around in display cases. It’s a sun-drenched love letter to high horology, and if you blink, it might already be gone. I for one know one collector who is drooling at the possibility of adding this to complete his trio. A very lucky guy indeed!