That is one heck of a story behind the band and the watch, and it's a testament to the durability of the Zulus as well. Sounds like there's more memories than can be recounted stowed away in the scratches, fading, fraying and dings of that package. Bravo sir.
Here are pics of my SKX013... There are actually a bit more fine scratches, but they are not showing well in the photos. The sapphire crystal is holding up very well to banging into things. And I happen to bang the bezel up against doors and walls quite often.
This part of the strap is starting to fray after 10 years of EDC use. That's good in my book. I guess I could use a lighter to melt the frays together. Closer up photo showing that the color is not as faded as pic in Post #1. Closer up photo showing that the color is not as faded as pic in Post #1. Notice that the old version has different hole sizes compared to the new version.
That's awesome. I love how scratches blend together when you get enough of them together. Have you ever had it serviced?
I had the watch serviced once when the watch was 9 years old. The watch got knocked around once too many times and suddenly started gaining 5 min a day. Since servicing, so about 4 years now, watch is still doing great. In the same time frame of owning the same watch and using it as EDC for 13 years I have switched wallets, flashlights (incandescent to LED), knives, and such. The watch has a longer lifespan.
Just ordered a ZLU for my SEIKO solar. Can't stand the rubber band it came with. Went with black and PVD rings.
I didn't like the rubber strap on mine either so I replaced it with an orange NATO. I really like everything else about this watch.
