I only started collected vintage Zenith last year, and I have some nice watches, but it's past time that they were services. I live in Seattle, and I see that there are enough people on this forum who recommend Nesbits for Omega. Should I try Nesbits for my vintage Zenith also? Or does anybody have a different recommendations.

I figure this sort of question comes up often, but I've been looking through past threads and I can't find an answer.

 

Sad you are so far...

 

Maybe I should give a little more details. One El Primero, and three older manual chronographs.

 

What difference does it make? None of those are particularly desirable models. Just take them to the local battery-changer.

 

Bullshit I'd say. I woumd enjoy some other pics.

 

More pics! More pics! More pics!

I can keep repeating until we get some....

 

GRAIL, GRAIL, GRAIL, and grail...

How big is that Cairelli? That Super Sub Sea looks tiny next to it!

 

43mm w/o crown, 46ish with, 52 lug-to-lug, 14mm thick.

 

With Zeniths of this quality, focus on preserving watch - and protecting your investment - not saving money: I just send directly to LVMH (Zenith) Service Center in New Jersey. Figure it will cost you about $750/watch for full treatment and about 6 weeks, but it's definite worth the time and money... if you need to economize, send one at a time.
Best

 

Have you had good experiences sending vintage Zenith pieces to LVMH? I've never done it... heard too many scary stories about unwanted polishing and unwanted replacement of dials, hands, etc. I'm too afraid of giving up complete control over what gets done to the watch, so I've always stuck with trusted independent watchmakers.

 

thanks @carroll213 I'm much more interested in preserving than saving money. I just want to have the best shot at great service. And as @MMMD mentioned, the story from the giant vendors sounds scary. I don't want a dial replacement or the hands changed. Ahhh, that's terrifying just to think about it.

As far as sending one at a time, I'll probably do that because I don't want them all gone at the same time.

 

More pictures, because I love these.


A different group picture, without the 3817 and with a different El Primero.



Here are some individuals.






The hands on Movado aren't in pristine shape, but they are awesome:


And another of my favorite:

 

ultimate grails...

 

Nesbit's would not service my Movado Astronic because they could not provide their normal two year guarantee due to lack of OEM parts. I don't believe they would touch any of your watches for the same reason. I gave mine over to Theodore (CW21) at ARC Watch Works in Bellevue and he fixed the snagged day wheel (had been glued down!). Total service was less than $1000.

We are having a Whiskey/Watch GTG on April 27 in Bellevue if you want to meet him.

 

Regarding comparative service, my personal experience in servicing an El Primero oWith Rolex or Zenith, this is a real problem: they are just too big to give personalized.

 

Regarding quality and comparative personal service, my personal experience - with several Thomas Engel pocket watches and early El Primero's - is that Zenith is Patek without the frills.
"Don't touch the dials, hand crown or case" - no problem. Tried that last month for full servicing of my 1965 Speedmaster: they refused to take the watch if they could not change the hands and polish the case. Manhattan Time Service here in New York City did a good job twice as fast for less than half Omega's estimate.

 

Interesting. But now that you have mentioned Thomas Engel, we will of course require photos.