Not a great price either. These A 385s are always bringing up the rear on the early El Primero value chart - I think you can still find good examples below USD3000. Those case edges are not sharp, although I do like the saturation of the dial color.
Why do you suppose that is? Just the lesser appeal of the gradation dial vs a panda like the a384? I guess I can't really think of another watch that has a dial like that so it's probably fair to say it never caught on. You'd think it would make it more collectable since it is more rare.
goldbuggin' http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zenith-El-P...245429678?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item2a3311c7aePurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/VINTAGE-ZENI...-Gay-Freres-GRAIL-OF-EL-PRIMERO-/111213886473Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network A386 on the bay for a fairly insane price. I think it's a replacement crown but can't really see it. The serial numbers seems to be polished out as well.
However, the A386 for sale has a beautiful dial, bright and flawless. And now I see clearly in the pictures the numbers on the back and also the proper crown……...
The seller must be reading this forum and answering the questions raised here, judging by the edits to the listing.
I like a responsive seller... even if the pricing seems to have been extrapolated from this weekend's Daytona-palooza at Christies. And it won't be long before these things hit $10k.
Well, if the seller is reading this, could you take some pictures with a DSLR and a steady hand instead of a white iPhone? When people ask top dollar and don't have clear pictures of the watch at all angles, it tends to make potential buyers question whether something is being hidden. For instance, it doesn't look like it's been polished, but you can't really tell because it is just blurry enough that you can't quite see. You can't see case dings. And you also can't really see that the dial is beautiful, bright and flawless. It looks like it might be but you can't really tell. How about a shot of the movement so the buyer at least knows it's a 3019 and not a 400.
I saw this one http://www.ebay.ca/itm/VINTAGE-ZENI...-Gay-Freres-GRAIL-OF-EL-PRIMERO-/111213886473Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network in person, it is really nice... better than in pics, very bright white dial... I may say it is as mine, it is in original conditions with bracelet and round box... you may put an offer on it and I guess you'll love it!
Looks nice to me, my dial is a little tabacco'ed, this looks very clean, tachymetre ring too. The lugs look polished, as mine, but the original crown is nice to have. The bracelet still has some brush on it and the box completes it nicely. I'd venture to say all hands are original, perhaps even the normally service replaced red second hand... Price is decided by the buyer I guess...
The timing might be right... perhaps someone who walked away empty-handed from the recent Daytona-Mania at Christies will see the sense in paying $11k for a very nice consolation prize.
I would like you take a look at this one below, as you can immagine the dial is not as beautiful, bright and flawless as the one you flout, the one below is proposed with a dark strap so at yours eyes the dial is clearer than it is in real... http://www.ebay.it/itm/ZENITH-EL-PR...47002?pt=Orologi_da_Polso&hash=item4176e13d3aPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/VINTAGE-ZENI...-Gay-Freres-GRAIL-OF-EL-PRIMERO-/111213886473Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network SOLD... Someone thought it was not so Expensive at its right price...
To be honest, I'd prefer the consolation prize - nothing against Rolex at all, but from an 'automatic chronograph' point of view, the Zenith is the superior in my honest and very humble opinion.
No flouting from me. I only flout forum rules, not outstanding watches. Gigi's watch is beautiful, and he has my sincere congratulations on a record-setting sale. So the A386 has reached $10k... call me Nostradamus. You're right to emphasize condition, especially dial condition. The Caso watch is still priced too high... but that is always the case with their offerings.
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