Please post your vintage zenith

CaptainWinsor · Jun 18, 2022

Latest acquisition. A 1930s 12-4 with a Staybrite case.

GuiltunderGlass · Jun 18, 2022

Gone now, but loved the font on this one. Manual wind w/ fixed lugs.

Jkuback · Jun 19, 2022

Captain with special dial color - a bit hard to capture on pics.

It's the typical Defy "problem" but I like those patinas 🙄

ken_hodson · Jun 19, 2022

Jkuback
Captain with special dial color - a bit hard to capture on pics.

It's the typical Defy "problem" but I like those patinas 🙄

I really like that case design, it's super cool and looks awesome with the black dial. The Defy 'problem' is related to water ingress? My recently acquired Defy has similar corrosion of the hands, lume and dial. I'm waiting for my watchmaker to take a look inside, but am interested in whether the seals are OK, or not...

Jkuback · Jun 19, 2022

I am no expert nor watchmaker, but this case patinas are sometimes seen with old zenith dials and I think it has something to do with the varnish of the dials. I don't think that this is water damage.

But maybe we have a chance of somebody here giving some insights 📖

ken_hodson
I really like that case design, it's super cool and looks awesome with the black dial. The Defy 'problem' is related to water ingress? My recently acquired Defy has similar corrosion of the hands, lume and dial. I'm waiting for my watchmaker to take a look inside, but am interested in whether the seals are OK, or not...

amcclell · Jun 19, 2022

Jkuback
I am no expert nor watchmaker, but this case patinas are sometimes seen with old zenith dials and I think it has something to do with the varnish of the dials. I don't think that this is water damage.

But maybe we have a chance of somebody here giving some insights 📖

The hands, hour markers and lume are all in beautiful shape, so I doubt that moisture is the cause. You may be right about the lacquer.

sirtaifun · Jun 20, 2022

It`s some kind of problem mostly with the blue lacquer coloured dials they degrade with the UV part from direct sunlight.
You can see that on all brands like Tissot and others from that time.

Essenbob · Jun 28, 2022

Here is my vintage Zenith pair from 1918, both run great. The leather in the strap is even older, it was recovered from the wreck of the Metta Catharina which sank in 1786 and discovered in 1973 well preserved under mud. The advert is from the 1920's and inflation has increased the prices now, but not so much so as

to explain the Mother eBay listing for a similar wristwatch at 5,500 Aus$

malilis · Jun 28, 2022

Very impressive ! Nice pair ! Congrats

Bourne1984 · Jun 28, 2022

Essenbob
Here is my vintage Zenith pair from 1918, both run great. The leather in the strap is even older, it was recovered from the wreck of the Metta Catharina which sank in 1786 and discovered in 1973 well preserved under mud. The advert is from the 1920's and inflation has increased the prices now, but not so much so as

to explain the Mother eBay listing for a similar wristwatch at 5,500 Aus$

Fantastic