I sell many vintage NSA bands each year, but there's a unique story to tell with one I sold recently. Customer Duncan from the U.K. contacted me and wanted something really special for his Zenith El Primero 1969 Chronograph Limited Edition. From Zenith, it only comes with a leather strap option. No bracelet. Owners of that model and vintage straight-lug El Primeros know how difficult it is to find bracelet options for your watch.

But Duncan wasn't deterred. Check out this link at his blog to read Duncan's story of his quest for something other than leather for his El Primero. Scroll down at the link to see many excellent pictures of the El Primero/NSA Zenith band combination. Along the way, you'll see some amazing examples of perfect watch photography by Duncan (and some other amazing photos he's taken). This band can be utlized on any straight lugs model Zenith El Primero.

See this band on an El Primero at this link:

http://thirtyfivemill.com/?s=el+primero

I have just two more of these Zenith-signed NSA bands, both New Old Stock in the box with 20mm wide straight ends. As Duncan's narrative tells you, it will take some minor modifications to the bracelet and patience to get a perfect fit, so you'll need the skills or access to a good watchmaker to do the slight finishing work required. But the combination of the NSA band on the El Primero is just stunning, a perfect marriage. You can wait forever for a GF ladder band to appear, suffer along on that wimpy-looking strap or make magic with this combination.

Rare New Old Stock 1960/70s Swiss Made vintage Zenith stainless steel bracelet. With the early Star-Z logo. Has a two-piece clasp that comes apart. Band was made by NSA Switzerland, also known as Novavit, maker of some of the finest vintage watch bracelets at the time. Has the NSA trademark spring-loaded comfort clasp, which "gives" by 3/8 inch as you wear it for perfect comfort (your wrist size changes with temperature changes, and this feature compensates for that rather than the band feeling tight or loose during the day). This is a feature that is not found on many much more expensive bands. Every link is flexible and removable with a nail type pin that slides out. In its original Novavit NSA Switzerland box.

The links and the clasp are 18mm wide, then the links flare out from 18mm wide to 20mm wide where they meet the unique 20mm wide, flat end pieces. Easy on and off with the clasp style that comes apart in two pieces. Solid Stainless Steel. Measures 6 3/8 inches long (16cm) fully extended. Easy to remove links to make it shorter. Extra links are available for purchase if you need a longer version. Band is 2.5mm thick.

The Zenith signed NSA band is $650 + shipping. I have 2 available. Email me for more information. Also visit my Zenith section at www.Squinky.com to see more than a half dozen of other styles of Zenith NSA bands that are New Old Stock from the 1960s/70s, plus spare links and end pieces for Zenith NSA bands.

Regards - Bill Mahoney (Squinky)

www.Squinky.com