Vintage Zenith bracelet help

alex_b · Jul 18, 2021

I picked up a vintage Zenith bracelet to try with my 70s Defy Surf. The Defy Surf has 21mm lugs, the bracelet is 20mm at its widest point and 18mm at the ‘tabs’ (not sure of the proper name). I think it looks fine when fitted but with even the slightest pressure when wearing it the tabs flick past the case (see photos).

Is there something that I can do to fix this? Or is there a more appropriate bracelet I should be hunting for? Any suggestions would be much appreciated, thanks.

sirtaifun · Jul 21, 2021

alex_b
Any suggestions would be much appreciated

Maybe one of those?
https://www.geckota.com/butterfly-beads-of-rice-premium-watch-strap

Otherwise I believe your Zenith was delivered with a leather strap which runs from 21mm on the watch to 14mm on the clasp.

alex_b · Jul 23, 2021

sirtaifun
Maybe one of those?
https://www.geckota.com/butterfly-beads-of-rice-premium-watch-strap

Otherwise I believe your Zenith was delivered with a leather strap which runs from 21mm on the watch to 14mm on the clasp.

Thanks very much. Any idea of what type of leather texture? I think anything too shiny will look wrong. It’s hard to find original photos.

sirtaifun · Jul 24, 2021

I have this vintage original Certina leather strap that runs from 21mm to 14mm on the clasp which I believe is from the 1970s:

Maybe this pictures give you some idea.
They are hard to come by nowadays.

alex_b · Jul 24, 2021

Thanks. Gives me a clue for what I’m hunting for. Vintage clasps are easy enough to get on Chrono24 so it’s just finding a modern strap that’s similar.

I think I’m right in saying a bracelet wasn’t an original option on these Zeniths. Does anyone know?

sirtaifun · Jul 24, 2021

If it's 21mm on the watch mostly it was leather at the time of purchase but I've seen NSA bracelets also but they are aftermarket.

sirtaifun · Jul 26, 2021

Hi again,
I have seen this auction maybe you purchase the watch for the bracelet only:
https://www.ricardo.ch/de/a/zenith-respirator-vintage-36.5-mm-1180871892/

alex_b · Jul 31, 2021

I put it on a soft calf leather with a vintage pin buckle and I think it looks much better.