Brand: Zenith
Model: Defy (ref. 01-1370-380)
Year of production: +/- 1975
Diameter (without crown): 37mm
Zenith launched a line of steel sports watches in 1969, the Zenith Defy collection. All of these watches were built to last under the most extreme conditions. All Zenith Defy models featured shock absorbing constructions to protects the movement and robust steel cases. This watch is probably one of the most masculine models one could wish for in vintage watches. The case is heavy and unmistakably a child from the 70’s, but the lapping work on the case and bracelet is magnificent. Zenith switched to NSA bracelet for many of their watches when their supplier of heavy steel bracelets (Chatelaine) went bankrupt in 1975. This is the perfect watch for the collector who appreciated the bold 70’s design and is masculine enough to pull of this stunner!
The bracelet fits an 19,5 cm wrist, and can be made shorter. There is also a spring system in the clasp, so the bracelet won’t be tight in hot weather.
Condition
Dial: very good, mint condition
Case: unpolished, very sharp & crisp, shows signs of wear
Crown: original screw down crown, with Zenith logo
Crystal: hardened mineral crystal, free of scratches
Movement: Zenith 2572PC, good condition, fully serviced, 12 month warranty
Bracelet: unpolished, no stretch, original marked clasp, signs of use
Zenith was founded by the 22 year old George Favre Jacot in 1865. He started a factory where watch parts were made with machines to such tolerances, that they were fully interchangeable. By doing this, Zenith was one of the forerunners of the industrialization of the Swiss watch industry at the end of the 18th century. In 1911, he was looking for a name for a newly developed movement. He looked up to the night sky full of stars and noted that the stars looked like the interacting parts in a watch movement. In astronomy, “Zenith” is the highest point in the sky seen from the earth. Since his new movement was superior in may fields he decided he would name it “Zenith”. Later the company was named Zenith and the five pointed star was chosen as the company logo. Zenith is nowadays mainly known for the development of the automatic chronograph “El Primero” in the 1960’s. Aside from that they made a wide array of very high quality watches, but in smaller quantities than many of the other well known manufacturers.
Weight | 0,500 kg |
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Dimensions | 20 × 15 × 9 cm |