Defy!

Got this home today. One of my better buys recently. Dirty as h-ll but sound underneath. A typical one owner watch. Bought or given and used for a couple of years - and then the sock drawer since.

Sharp case - I judge it as possibly and probably untouched, with some very small dings and some swirls/hair lines. Dial and hands wonderful. Original crystal without damage, bracelet - Zenith branded G&F - as new with stiff links, a fliplock and divers extension.

It will get a good cleaning and my watchmaker will take care of the movement.

Auction house pics:







My pics:

 

Looks great!

You'll find these very comfortable to wear if you have never had one.

 

It's really a lovely little watch. Looking forward to the after photos!

 

You could make a pot of soup with that! Nice watch though!

 

Sweet Zenith and in just the kind of condition I like to find 'em in.

 

Totally agree!

 

Very nice, love the dial colour

 

Breguet hands are the most beautiful ever designed.

Zenith Defy hands are just the most perfect tool watch hands.

 

Nice pickup, will come up like new with one of your cleans. Can't wait to see the wrist shot in a few weeks

 

wow... What such a nice catch!!

I am looking forward to your after-processing pics.

 

Agree - I "de-gunked" its backside (and inside of the bracelet) before putting it on my wrist.

 

Congrats JE! I saw that one too, but since I already have one identical (including the bracelet) I refrained from inflating the price for you (because I´m sure that your highest bid should have been higher than mine do )

 

I am not that familiar with G&F bracelets - but I presume its makings means 1970? Presuming it is original to the watch - which I do, is there any consensus about the timeline for logos? From what I have been able to read 1970-72 seems to be a transition time with two or three logos used at the same time. This one has a bracelet with a "1/70" marking, a four pointed star on caseback, a five pointed star on dial and a square logo on crown...

It looks and feels like a very original watch but it could also have had parts substituted at service. I have to check the case back innards for markings. A fair guess is bracelet, case back and dial belongs together and the crown being the odd one out. Or a totally original transitional concoction? Any thoughts from the intelligentia?

 

Not especially intelligent, so I refrain from answering all those questions, but as I said, mine looks identical, including the bracelet. If you should have difficulties sourcing a crystal (if you need one), I have one for it. I bought 2, when I restored mine, since I thought another one could come in handy some day.

 

Think there was a thread about rules of GF bracelets.

Tried to find it but couldn't

 

Identical is good.
Thanks for thinking of me for the extra crystal but for once it seems like a new one is not needed. I guess your PM inbox will overflow now that you have "outed" it here...
When I wrote that my watchmaker had a NOS crystal for my Sherpa OPS - I became very popular for a while. But my watchmaker had a NOS crystal...

 

out of interest what will your process be for cleaning it? eager to learn the correct method.

 

nice! we'll stand by for the traditional after-spa pics!

 

Congrats. Congrats!!