1970s Zenith Defy Automatic 28800 Big Crown 01 0902 290
Ref: 01 0902 290
Specification
Lugs : 18mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original Zenith box or Zenith paperwork. The watch comes paired with an 18mm leather strap. The watch is from Circa. 1970s and used vintage condition as you can see, the hands have been relumed but the dial remains original. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
The Watch
Here we have a 1970s Zenith Defy Automatic 28800 Big Crown reference 01 0902 290, the 37mm hexagonal-shaped stainless steel case curves gently over the recessed lugs and at 44mm lug to lug length, you can be sure of a comfortable fit on the wrist. On the right side is a signed big crown, the polished bezel holds a domed crystal. The silver dial has an outer minute track with large lume plots at the hour, applied steel batons mark the hours and between 4 and 5 o’clock we have a date window. Steel sword hands have lume infill complemented by an orange counterweighted sweeping second-hand, at 12 o’clock the Zenith motif “ Automatic 28,800” underneath and at 6 o’clock “Defy” completes this attractive sporty unapologetically 1970s timepiece. On the reverse is a screw-down case back, inside an automatic Zenith Cal. 2562, 23 jewels, 28,800 beats per hour, this movement was produced between 1972 and 1975 and the watch comes fitted on an 18mm leather strap.
Personal Note
You all know I have a soft spot for Zenith and have owned multiple over the years and still own a vintage Zenith Defy, this example is truly wonderful and looks incredible on the wrist! With the prices on these references creeping up constantly I wouldn't hesitate to snap this one up and enjoy it.
The Brand
Zenith was founded in 1865 by 22-year-old watchmaker Georges Favre-Jacot, their manufacturing was based in Le Locle Switzerland. Famously Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, who was the first person to reach the South Pole in 1911 and the North Pole in 1926, wore Zenith watches on his expeditions. In 1999 Zenith was purchased by LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) joining brands like TAG and Hublot. Zenith is one of the only Swiss manufacturers to still produce their in-house movements, their most recognised movement is the El Primero which was released in 1969, went into production in 1975, and was re-issued in 1986.