Today's offering showcases this sporty and sophisticated Zenith Class El Primero Defy chronograph encased in stainless steel and 18K gold and accompanied by its original papers.

Zenith states about the collection: "Crafting the future of watchmaking. The ZENITH DEFY collection of watches for men and women is the epitome of ZENITH's endless pursuit of precision through innovation. Combining cutting-edge manufacture movements with futuristic forms and materials, the DEFY collection continues ZENITH's legacy of always surpassing itself and setting new standards of performance and style."

More than 50 years ago, Zenith introduced a new type of sports capable watch named the Defy. Since that time, it has been the company's go-to line to showcase their progressive take on watchmaking. Since being integrated into the LVMH Watch Division, the Zenith has successfully made the Defy one of its most innovative and creative product ranges.

Inside our classic Defy, one sees the beauty and precision that distinguish its legendary El Primero movement.

One of the finest automatic chronograph movements ever produced, when it was introduced in 1969, it became the world's fastest beating chronograph movement, beating at a speed of 36,000 vibrations per hour, and set a new standard against which other high-end, professional chronographs were judged, and continues to be produced today.

Here are some of the watch's features:

• "In house" caliber 400 movement - after almost forty years, the El Primero remains unmatched in its ability to measure short time intervals to one-tenth of a second
• High frequency 36,000 beats per hour balance system, twice the speed of many traditional chronographs and faster than any other chronograph in existence, insures exceptional accuracy
• Distinctively executed and elegant cream dial with gold trim and gold subdials and outer tachometer scale and date aperture at 4. It incorporates a triple register onto the dial while remaining balanced and luxurious.
• Sporty case with uni-directional rotating bezel with 18K gold rider tabs, for diving and timing uses
• 40mm wide (including guards) by 45mm long case. At just over 38mm in diameter without the crown guards the case is a nice size for those who want to go against the grain of bulky oversized watches - it's not really small and looks and feels less bulky than many other automatic chronographs.

We are proud to offer it in gorgeous condition - it presents as a 9.4 out of 10 and has a Zenith buckle. The pushers and crown have light wear. Otherwise, it presents as mint. Its dial and crystal both present like new.

Any needed servicing has been performed by a Master Watchmaker. It is ticking essentially as strong as a brand new Zenith and keeping very accurate time.

For the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a brand new crocodile strap and meticulously detailed it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase are the watch's original certificate and booklet, a new one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a new timing certificate attesting to its performance.

Retail price for a new Zenith Defy El Primero chronograph if it were in steel and gold: Approx. $17,500.00 USD + Tax

Zenith:
Since 1865, when Georges Favre-Jacot was first inspired by a dream of building a true watch ‘manufacture’, Zenith has been crafting exclusive watches made to exceptionally exacting standards. Having won over 1500 awards, the company enjoys a long, prestigious history and today enjoys a growing popularity among collectors.

• Manufacturer: Zenith
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Date sold: March 27, 1999
• Model: Defy, ref. 59.2000.400
• Case material: Stainless steel and 18K gold
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Automatic, Quick-Setting Date, Chronograph
• Dimensions: 40mm including guards but not including crown or pushers by 45mm long lug tip to tip. 38mm in diameter not including guards
• Crystal: Sapphire, mint condition
• Dial: Cream, signed Zenith El Primero with gold painted stylized Roman indexes, gold inner 24 hour track, subsidiary dials for the seconds, the 30-minute and 12-hour registers, date aperture between 4 and 5, outer 1/5 second/minute scale, further outer tachometer scale, original, mint condition
• Hands: Original, luminous gold "epees", mint condition
• Movement Type: El Primero Cal. 400, rhodium-plated, oeil-de-perdrix decoration, 31 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance-spring, steel rotor
• Band: Crocodile, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn with watch's original Zenith tang buckle. We also stock lizard and a variety of other straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you are interested.
• Servicing: Any needed servicing has been performed by a Master Watchmaker.
• Timing: Timed on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is ticking essentially as strong a brand new Zenith and keeping very accurate time.
• Warranty: 1-year new C.O.T. international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Original certificate card and booklet; New timing certificate (please inquire if you would also like a Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity)
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide