1990s Zenith Quartz Gold Watches. Straps and Buckles
Discussion
I have one of these watches. It is 14K and model number 36.1740.116. It has an alligator skin strap, and a gold coloured buckle stamped with a zenith mark. I like the watch as it is slim and has a classic uncluttered dial.
I was interested to read an old discussion (started on 30 March, 2019) titled ‘’Any idea what my model Zenith watch is’’. The poster had been left the 9K watch by his grandfather who had received it on his retirement in 1991. The photo showed that the watch had an identical design to mine as well as an alligator skin strap.
It was quickly identified by an expert (Slushbox) as Zenith model 33.1750.116 who also indicated that there was 18K model (30.1740.116)). The photo shows another almost identical designed watch (given as a retirement present in 1994) with an alligator skin strap.
It seems these 3 versions of the Zenith watch were commonly given by firms on the retirement of long-serving employees and consequently were often inscribed on the back (as is mine).
After the long introduction, I would like to ask a question. What material is the Zenith marked buckle made of? Is it gold plate or, more hopefully, gold to match the watch?
Regarding the strap, it is slim and elegant but probably not hard wearing. If it wore out, it would be sensible to retain the buckle and look for an alligator skin replacement. I don’t know how feasible this is, but I am sure it would be expensive.
If I wanted to wear the watch more frequently I had thought about removing and saving the original strap and ‘temporarily’ replacing it with a more robust version. However, the original strap seems to be sewn and glued to the watch and any attempt at removal would cause damage.
So the message seems to be to save the watch’s ‘outings’ for special occasions (the good condition indicates that the previous owner did this). And buy a cheap quartz watch for everyday wear!
PS. I have said that my watch strap is of alligator skin as the initial poster indicated that this material was used on these watches. However, from my photos, can it be confirmed that crocodile skin was not used?
I was interested to read an old discussion (started on 30 March, 2019) titled ‘’Any idea what my model Zenith watch is’’. The poster had been left the 9K watch by his grandfather who had received it on his retirement in 1991. The photo showed that the watch had an identical design to mine as well as an alligator skin strap.
It was quickly identified by an expert (Slushbox) as Zenith model 33.1750.116 who also indicated that there was 18K model (30.1740.116)). The photo shows another almost identical designed watch (given as a retirement present in 1994) with an alligator skin strap.
It seems these 3 versions of the Zenith watch were commonly given by firms on the retirement of long-serving employees and consequently were often inscribed on the back (as is mine).
After the long introduction, I would like to ask a question. What material is the Zenith marked buckle made of? Is it gold plate or, more hopefully, gold to match the watch?
Regarding the strap, it is slim and elegant but probably not hard wearing. If it wore out, it would be sensible to retain the buckle and look for an alligator skin replacement. I don’t know how feasible this is, but I am sure it would be expensive.
If I wanted to wear the watch more frequently I had thought about removing and saving the original strap and ‘temporarily’ replacing it with a more robust version. However, the original strap seems to be sewn and glued to the watch and any attempt at removal would cause damage.
So the message seems to be to save the watch’s ‘outings’ for special occasions (the good condition indicates that the previous owner did this). And buy a cheap quartz watch for everyday wear!
PS. I have said that my watch strap is of alligator skin as the initial poster indicated that this material was used on these watches. However, from my photos, can it be confirmed that crocodile skin was not used?
I would imagine the strap is attached with regular spring bars, to remove the strap without damage you will just need a springbar tool. I would be extremely surprised if it had fixed bars / lugs. You can easily check by gently pushing the strap to one side to reveal the bars. The buckle will likely have springbars too which will be visible from the side (drilled right through the buckle).
Is the buckle marked in any way? Highly likely to be gold plated. Some are marked ‘Plaque’, meaning they are gold plated. If there are no hallmarks then it’s almost certainly plated not solid.
Hope some of this helps.
Is the buckle marked in any way? Highly likely to be gold plated. Some are marked ‘Plaque’, meaning they are gold plated. If there are no hallmarks then it’s almost certainly plated not solid.
Hope some of this helps.
A main reason I chose a Zenith quartz with a strap and buckle was my experience with a Zenith Espada. It is an attractive quartz gold-looking watch with a traditional dial, with no minidials. However, it has a bracelet with which I had a problem.
Firstly it was a fiddle lining up the buckle to close it securely. Secondly, I found the buckle came unlocked on certain occasions when inadvertent contact was made, such as during struggles to take off a coat or rucksack.
Another reason why I got another watch was that I stupidly wore the Espada for long periods of heavy work in the garden which resulted in (presumably) perspiration getting through onto the watch face. This resulted in permanent disfigurative corrosion, which can be seen at the top and bottom of the dial.
Firstly it was a fiddle lining up the buckle to close it securely. Secondly, I found the buckle came unlocked on certain occasions when inadvertent contact was made, such as during struggles to take off a coat or rucksack.
Another reason why I got another watch was that I stupidly wore the Espada for long periods of heavy work in the garden which resulted in (presumably) perspiration getting through onto the watch face. This resulted in permanent disfigurative corrosion, which can be seen at the top and bottom of the dial.
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