{"product_id":"zenith-defy","title":"Zenith Defy","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eLaunched in 1969, the Zenith Defy earned the nickname \u003ci\u003e\"il cassaforte del tempo\"\u003c\/i\u003e (the time safe or vault), establishing a kind of benchmark for robust sports watches before the luxury steel era took off. It was meant to be an especially robust watch hence the name, Defy. Its chunky 37mm octagonal stainless steel case and unique 14-sided bezel is recognisable across a room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThere were numerous variations on the Defy model - there still are. The reference 1808-68 must have been fairly avant-garde for it’s time; the 37mm octagonal stainless steel case paired with a distinctive 14-sided bezel bypassed traditional design rules. Rather than relying solely on thickness for durability, Zenith suspended the movement inside a shock-absorbing rubber ring, guaranteeing impressive water and shock resistance and even gave it a hefty screw-down crown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eWhile early iterations carried the automatic 21,600 vph calibre 2552PC, this reference evolved to utilise the high beat calibre 2562PC. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eCompleting this striking tool watch is the iconic Gay Frères \"ladder\" bracelet. Characterized by its open, skeletonized links, it dramatically reduced weight while adding ventilation. the folding clasp is signed Zenith on the outside with the GF logo stamped on the inside. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTech Specs.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReference\u003c\/strong\u003e: Zenith 1808-68\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYear\u003c\/strong\u003e:  c.1971\/1972\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMovement\u003c\/strong\u003e:  Cal. 2562 PC, automatic wind.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eService History:\u003c\/strong\u003e  unknown\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Silver\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase\u003c\/strong\u003e:  Stainless steel with screw-in case back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements: \u003c\/strong\u003e 37mm (case diameter), 44mm lug-to-lug, 13mm thickness\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Resistant:\u003c\/strong\u003e  No\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Acrylic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrown\u003c\/strong\u003e:  signed Zenith\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStrap\/Bracelet:   \u003c\/strong\u003eOriginal Gay Frères bracelet signed Zenith\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLug Widt\u003c\/strong\u003eh:  17mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBox \u0026amp; Papers\u003c\/strong\u003e: No\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWarranty\u003c\/strong\u003e: 3 months\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eWatches modelled on a 7” (18cms) wrist\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eI have a special affinity for Zenith. I find virtually all their diverse output elegant, innovative, robust and in many cases fascinating and occasionally, beautiful. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe case and bezel are in excellent condition with sharp edges as you would want. The dial is no longer a polished silver but has signs of patina and spotting clearly visible in the images - I think it gives the watch even more charm. The applied indexes are in great shape and the lume has mellowed over the decades to a kind of mild custard colour. And under ultraviolet they all show a uniform colour glow which is what you want to see.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eThe funky second hand still retains some of the original orange. The crown is screw down but please don’t test its waterproofness as vintage watches are never meant to go anywhere near water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe hardened mineral crystal may have been replaced in the past and has a few scratches, natch. There are a few abrasions and marks on the case and on the caseback, but it is after all a near 60 year old watch. The standout bracelet is in great condition and fits my 19cm wrist perfectly - unfortunately there are no spare links or any kinds of paperwork or box.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eFor such a chunky watch it is surprisingly light helped by the wonderful ladder bracelet made by the famous Gay Frères factory. The stamp on the clasp, 1 71, implies the bracelet was made in the first quarter of 1971 which would tally with the corresponding date of the watch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe instantaneous date change on the original launch models in the early 1970s has slowed somewhat to a stately changeover between 10pm and 2am. Please note that while time keeping is great on this watch there is no service history. If purchased you may want to consider getting it serviced in the future to ensure it runs strongly for many more years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vintage Chronicle","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54250350608721,"sku":"0068","price":1595.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1020\/4148\/5649\/files\/Zenith_Defy_Hero-2.jpg?v=1783511293","url":"https:\/\/www.vintagechronicle.co.uk\/products\/zenith-defy","provider":"Vintage Chronicle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}