Zenith Defy a7683 with Lobster Bracelet
With a total production of 1500 for each dial variations the Zenith defy is a 1970’s true style icon. This piece predates the Royal Oak and I have no doubt that design elements from the Defy influenced that piece. The dial is features in a fading rich teal blue coloring.The dial of this watch is one of the most beautiful color blue tones on a timepiece that I have ever seen. It reminds me of the Gulf of Sorrento in Naples Italy. Most of this dial example was sold to the Italian market and I have no doubt the coastline of that region infulenced the color choice.
The 37 mm tonneau case is an original unpolished brushed condition and the high polish multi-angle bezel displays the dial in a bold yet sophisticated way. The hand cut for tier finish of the stainless-steel hour markers can be seen from across the room. With the dial having so many distinct features such as the orange luminescent secondhand in the red hour highlighting markers, this piece somehow has not been given the notoriety it deserves.
This is A7683 is sold with a fully serviced Zenith caliber 2562 PC in-house automatic movement. The oversized original Zenith further lends to the sportiness of the Defy. This piece is offered on the extremely rare Zenith branded lobster bracelet designed and produced by Gay Freres. This model link completes the overall aesthetics of this piece. It provides a flawless integrated look from case to lug to bracelet link and still has the original brushed finished intact. The signed diver lock clasp blows away quality competing manufacturers during that era. The pieces rated up to 300 m water resistance due to the bezel case back and crown all being screw down.
The Dauphine hands features the original luminescence and the placement of the date wheel between four and 5 o’clock position provide excellent legibility but doesn’t steal your eye from the dial. The overall fit, finish, and heft of this piece rivals anything Rolex produced up until the ceramic era.