Calling All Zenith Daytona Experts

[illiguy]

It seems the crown guards on Zenith Daytonas tend to vary across the Zenith Daytona lineup, including SS versus PM.

Anyone know the reason why?

Here are various 16520 and 16528 Zenith Daytonas, all either NOS or with unmolested cases / crown guards.













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[illiguy]

Bump. Any wisdom of others appreciated here!


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[swish77]

I can't speak with certainty about the gold Zenith Daytonas, but I haven't noticed case/crown guard variations on the SS versions.

Not sure the second photo in your post shows an unpolished case. It looks like it's been touched up, at a minimum, but photos/angles/lighting can play a role too. (It's also got a service bezel.)

My last two Zenith Daytonas, including the one I currently own, were absolutely unpolished. When you see them and handle them, it's clear. There's a sharpness to the edges of the lugs and a slightly square elongated look to the crown guards, which often get rounded off a little when polished. You can see the slightly square look to the crown guards below on these unpolished examples, especially with the way the light is hitting the case in the first photo.

[Rolessor82]

I don't know nowadays but back in the 60s there was "hand finishing/polishing". For a watch from the 90s my guess is that the case comes from a mold and nothing is done by hand, except assemble it.

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by swish77

I can't speak with certainty about the gold Zenith Daytonas, but I haven't noticed case/crown guard variations on the SS versions.

Not sure the second photo in your post shows an unpolished case. It looks like it's been touched up, at a minimum, but photos/angles/lighting can play a role too. (It's also got a service bezel.)

My last two Zenith Daytonas, including the one I currently own, were absolutely unpolished. When you see them and handle them, it's clear. There's a sharpness to the edges of the lugs and a slightly square elongated look to the crown guards, which often get rounded off a little when polished. You can see the slightly square look to the crown guards below on these unpolished examples, especially with the way the light is hitting the case in the first photo.

Would agree on the SS Zenith Daytonas, your recent 16520 black dial being a stunning example.

The white dial SS Zenith Daytona in that second pictures is the same watch as the other white dials I shared, just different angles.

I seem to notice the most variety in crown guards on the precious metal (PM) Zeniths, but I don’t know why.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by illiguy

The white dial SS Zenith Daytona in that second pictures is the same watch as the other white dials I shared, just different angles.

Hmmm .... I don't think so. They have different bezels and the cases look different too.

[illiguy]

Ah - you’re right! User error (me).

[Dan S]

Those photos are showing some subtle differences, and I'm not sure how we can be sure they are all totally unpolished.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Those photos are showing some subtle differences, and I'm not sure how we can be sure they are all totally unpolished.

Well, yes, in theory that's correct, unless you're the original owner or you bought the watch from the original owner. Watches that get passed around and have been sold/re-sold, who knows.

Still, there's a look to an unpolished case that is usually quite distinctive, so sometimes it's clear.

[Rolessor82]

The term polished/unpolished is nowadays very "important" to some collectors. Not for me tho. I've had amazing pieces with beautiful dials that were polished, but looked good. A perfect almost new VINTAGE watch is impossible: buy a new one from 2023 then. You can find NOS but they are more from the neo-vintage years (90s). However, from a 60s watch you can't be so picky.
Buy what you like ;)