What's The Parts Situation With Vintage Zenith Movements?

Posts
3,070
Likes
3,528
It depends on where you are and who you know. In the US, parts are as rare as the proverbial from a rocking horse. Independent watchmakers just can't get hold of them for love nor money. In the UK I can get hold of anything that is still produced through a certain parts supplier. Obsolete parts can still be obtained but only if you have a special relationship with Zenith, then they will make them for you as a special order. Luckily, a watchmaker that I use has such a relationship.

The ebay seller you are showing (I believe) bought a particularly nasty 135 a while back and has broken it for parts. Personally, I have no problem with replacing any part and still considering it to be original, other than a bridge with the serial number on it (or the main plate, if that was where the number was) Let's face it, you wouldn't scrap a vintage Ferrari because it needed a new crank shaft and you could source a NOS replacement.