Let’s face it: the ultimate adventure watch is something nearly indestructible, water-resistant, and can provide a plethora of information relevant to your adventurous activity. Yeah, I’m talking G-Shocks, Garmins, Suuntos, watches like those. But what if your adventure didn’t call for 300m of water-resistance? What if you had the relevant information provided by an InReach, or a wrist-mounted dive-computer? Well, that’s when choice enters the stage.

But I’m not here to discuss the “ultimate adventure watch,” because like I said above, it’s probably one of those. This is the story of backpacking in the canyonlands, climbing class 4 peaks over 14,000′ in elevation, and generally avoiding those pesky doorknobs that are perpetually after our precious little mechanical wonders on our wrists. This is the story of a 1971 Zenith Defy A7682.

A little background…

This is a 2nd generation Defy, produced from 1969 until 1972, and a younger sibling of the now presently-known 1st generation octagonal Defy. The 2nd Generation Defy comes from a time period where Zenith prioritized design innovation over marketing, and let its marketing team’s chips fall sternly into the camp of the El Primero. Its design influences are wonderfully apparent in modern Zenith catalogs

Also known as the “brick” Defy due to its wrist presence – a firm 37mm X 45mm x 14mm, this line of Defys holds a place in history as the undoubtable inspiration for a certain famous Genta design. The tonneau case, porthole bezel, and semi-integrated bracelet were hallmarks of pioneering design. A design whose torch was carried on throughout the 70s by various other brands – Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Girard Perregaux, IWC, and even Tissot.

But how does it stack up? The Defy line was born of adventure, so much so that most you’ll find for sale have been beat up or had parts replaced. The 2562pc movement sits in a rubber housing, within a screw-down case, with a screw-down crown – it’s shock and water resistant!

So why this watch?

The A7282 Defy may be old, over 50 years old at time of this article, but this watch is a serious tank. These monsters were bred for adventure, and featured a host of durability innovations that allowed for activities most desk-divers today wouldn’t dare try. With a water resistance of 300m, a shock resistant movement, and high legibility: the A7682 was ready for battle.

However, the unfortunate part of this design was that it was commonly beat on with fearless tenacity by wearers back in the day. This resulted in most examples on the current market being victims of over-polishing, replaced parts, or sheer damage and reconstruction.

Carrying the torch…

Enough about specs and history, let’s chat adventures. This watch has been a faithful companion during many of my outdoor-adventures, and while it can handle almost anything thrown at it, I admittedly still protect it from major harm. While crawling up scree, a section of terrain on the mountain that is made up of loose gravel and small rocks, I sheepishly tucked the Defy away into a pocket to prevent unnecessary damage. There are measures to be taken before adventuring with an old watch, caring for your possessions should be a given.

Who knows what adventures my Defy had undergone before it came to be in my possession? These are things that have crossed my mind often, though remind me of the adventures I have taken with it. From filtering water out of puddles whilst backpacking the Canyonlands of Utah, to summiting 14,000ft peaks in Colorado – this watch has had quite a time adventuring with me. I really hope its previous owner(s) would be proud of where it has been!

I don’t ever recommend swimming with a vintage watch, nor do I recommend really banging them up – preserving the past is ever-important to vintage watch enthusiasts and collectors. But if you must take a prized vintage piece on an adventure, at least choose one that carries the spirit and specs to match!

While at home…

I will admit, as much as I can preach that this watch is a real tank, still kicking into its “near retirement” years, some of the most fun parts of wearing this watch is the puzzling looks one can get from others. As visibility on our hobby increases, and people have begun seeing watches as vehicles for investment, catching people glancing at my wrist is becoming much more common. Watches are becoming more apparent in office settings; dwindling are the days of smartwatch-fascination. On the few times I’ve worn my A7682 to the office, I’ve been met with a “what is that?” There are few watches out there with such a pedigree of specs and design history as a vintage Defy, especially when they can be found at relatively affordable prices (although again, finding them in good and original condition is rather difficult).

In conclusion…

What makes a good adventure watch? One that can handle what you put it through. One that can provide the necessary information when your phone just doesn’t cut it. While a GPS capable smartwatch is the most ideal adventure tool in the modern day, there’s just something romantic about taking a good old-fashioned watch on an adventure. What makes a good adventure watch? The one that you can connect with the most on a surely memorable expedition.