Buying a a Zenith Defy for my father. A couple of Questions.

Hi,

I'm hoping the collective hive mind of the Zenith forum will be able to help me. My father is planning on retiring next March and I'd like to buy him a Zenith watch to celebrate. The first “good” watch he purchased was just after he got his first job in the 70's and is one of the classic octagonal Defy. He still wears this to this day (along with a modern Zenith) and he loves it for obvious reasons. Getting him another 70s Zenith feels like quite a fitting gift.

I've recently been on the lookout for a nice Zenith to get him and a dealer that I have dealt with before has sent me photos of this, a supposedly NOS Zenith Defy 01-0050-345 (01-8050-345 on the hang tag, guessing the 8050 indicates the leather strap?).

Pics



Now, I am always suspicious when people say things are NOS but this chap is a good guy and I've dealt with him a number of times and he's been excellent. I do have a couple of questions though:

1. Does anyone know if having a 28800vph movement in this ref is correct? All of ones of this ref I've been able to find online seem to indicate they are a high beat 36000vph*.
2. Is this sort of wear on the stickers something common with NOS Zenith watches? Wouldn't the stickers be all in one piece?
3. Is the day disk in these multi language? i.e. does it have English day abbreviations as well?

Many Thanks,

WML

*The watch is going to be opened by a watch maker and serviced in the next couple of days so we may know more then, currently all I have to go on is the hang tag.

I will add that the strap and buckle look to be original.

m

Thanks for the input chaps. I'll hopefully hear back soon about the movement inside.

One sharp looking watch! Really like that linen dial. If I may be so bold as to ask, for reference purposes only, what is the asking price?

Just a little update; I ended up not going for it as there weren't any English days on the day wheel (Not that that would bother me but I don't think my father would like it).


Yes, the watch is very sharp. The dealer wanted £625 for it which I didn't think was too bad considering the condition of it and that it would come fully serviced and guaranteed. No doubt there would have been some wriggle room in that price as well but I didn't explore this as I had decided not to purchase it.

Hi my Defy 01-0170-346 says Hello and the non English datewheel never bothered me but I find the defy models so good

You didn't mention the references your Dad already owns. What about a Defy classic. the watch comes on steel bracelet, leather, or rubber. Also easy to read the time.