The Defy had one design brief: to achieve a higher standard of durability than any other Swiss watch at the time. It was achieved through a series of technical improvements, including 300 meters of water resistance, the adoption of a tougher mineral crystal and a shock proof case. 
 
The Defy had a unique suspension system, in which the movement was surrounded by a shock-absorbing band to provide unprecedented impact protection. Zenith employees would test the shock resistance of the first defy prototypes by tossing them out of a second-story window onto the concrete below. 
 
The Defy was the number one watch for the person who wanted to live with a watch on an everyday basis. The robust nature of the watch resonated with many watch wearers, with Italian collectors calling it Il casaforte del temp “The safe of time”, with French collectors calling it the coffre-fort, or “Bank vault”. 
 
The 1969 debut of the Defy predated the luxury sport watch by several years. This can be seen in its more utilitarian ideals. It was a rugged watch, built to tackle life. The 1970s sports era of the Royal Oak and Nautilus moved beyond this simple idea.
 
This example:
NOTE: The dial is not signed 28,800 like other 2nd generation examples. It appears to have a first-generation dial, which is the same, just without 28,800 below the Zenith Automatic signing. This could have been a transitional piece or have had the dial switched. The watch came in un-restored condition and the dial was not altered by us.
 
The ladder bracelet also lacks diver extension. However, it does have enough links to fit an 8” wrist diameter.
 
From 1971, this particular example is a second-generation model, with the Black dial patent 493877 case. This was assigned the Reference A3645. This Black dial tone was the rarest out of the first 5 dial executions. This dial variant also had elongated markers in comparison to the other models.
 
The Octagonal case is legendary and has been known as the Miura for its similarity to the angles of the Lamborghini Miura. Its 37mm case width combines with a 45mm lug-to-lug measurement, which makes this watch very suited to the modern preference for larger watches. 
 
The hour and minute hand are original and are of bevelled sword style. They are polished Stainless Steel, as is the central second hand. The original lume had deteriorated, meaning the in-fill is a well matched super-luminova.
 
The glass is original and is in excellent condition. It has been polished by a lens manufacturer. 
 
The large screw-down crown is Stainless Steel and is original with the Zenith 4-point star logo used on the Defy. 
 
The Octagonal Stainless-Steel case is original and is in good condition. It has been respectfully polished to an excellent standard, to restore the beauty of the original finishes. The only examples of this watch that would have a case remaining in good original condition, would be those that were un-used and new old stock. This was a watch designed to be worn and examples picked up scratches accordingly. The case has a unique geometric design, combining the octagonal steel case, with a 14-sided bezel. This perfectly encapsulates the Retro DNA. The angles and bevels on the case remain clean and sharp. The 14-sided bezel is polished and notched, with the base being circular, neatly framing the dial. The front of the case falls away from the dial, before creating curved bevels on the 4 end most corners. The top and bottom facetted section have a brushed finish which rounds off the case nicely, introducing the bracelet. The case sides are polished. The serial number xxxExxx and is still visible. 
 
The case back is stainless steel and is in good condition having been polished respectfully. It has the Zenith 4-pointed star logo which is in good condition with very little wear. The inside of the case back is signed “Zenith Swiss Made Modele Depose Pat. 493877 Acier Inoxydable”.
 
The watch is on its original Gay Freres Ladder bracelet. It is made of Stainless Steel and dates to the 2nd quarter of 1971 (code 2/71). It has ZC endlinks with the clasp signed Zenith. The bracelet has no diver extension. There are 5 links on one side and 7 on the other. It will fit an 8-inch wrist diameter. 
 
The movement is a Zenith calibre 2562 PC. It is surrounded by the original suspension ring. It was introduced in 1971 and was used until 1975. It is an automatic movement and has 23 jewels, with a hi-beat frequency of 28,800 BPH and a power reserve of 46 hours. It has incabloc shock protection and has a date function. The watch has been recently serviced by us. It has a daily loss of -15 seconds, with an amplitude of 290 degrees and a beat error of 0.1m/s.
 
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
A further condition report is below.
 
Dial: 
The dial is an original example, which is in good condition. The base tone is a black with a sunburst finish radiating outwards from the centre. Over time these dials age and take on a dark olive or charcoal hue. This watch has an olive hue. There is a slight spot of wear to the finish above the 2 O’clock marker. 
 
Hands: 
The hour and minute hand are original and are of bevelled sword style. They are polished Stainless Steel, with no corrosion but some small scratches. The central second hand is original and is in good condition. 
 
Glass: 
The glass is original and is in excellent condition. It has been polished by a lens manufacturer. This ensures that the original glass remains, but in great condition. The newer replacement crystals are nowhere near as good as the original.
 
Crown: 
The large screw-down crown is Stainless Steel, original and in good condition with a polished finish and some light surface scratching. It screws down as it should. 
 
Case:
The Octagonal Stainless-Steel case is original and is in good condition. It has been respectfully polished to an excellent standard, to restore the beauty of the original finishes. 
 
Caseback:
The case back is stainless steel and is in good condition having been polished respectfully.  It has the Zenith 4-pointed star logo which is in good condition. The serial number is worn but still visible.
 
Bracelet: 
The watch is on its original Gay Freres Ladder bracelet. It has an excellent finish with no scratching having been restored. It is lacking original diver extension. It will fit an 8 inch wrist diameter.
 
Movement:
The watch has been recently serviced by us. The movement is in good condition cosmetically and is keeping very good time. It has a daily loss of -15 seconds, with an amplitude of 290 degrees and a beat error of 0.1m/s.