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2020 Update: Looking for 20th Zenith

dsio
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Hijak Hijak
😕 I'm looking at this and somewhat confused as it is labeled...ZENITH El Primero Vintage 1969 Mens Watch 03.1969.469/01.C490🥰 ...

26319

But looks to be relatively new watch based on the display back...

26320

It is labeled Vintage 1969 and the dial looks almost identical to the A386 dial, can someone please explain.🤔



EDIT: This must be some type of special edition commemorative watch, but labeled very ambiguously.

Yea they call it "Vintage" as its a re-issue of sorts, the original never had a displayback
 
Gavin
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It's the New Vintage 1969. Not really a reissue but sort of a limited edition to commemorate the 40 years of El Primero. Design probably inspired by a couple of the steel references. It's big but nice.
 
Gavin
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Pic shamelessly stolen from Lou. Hope he doesn't mind. A favourite which illustrates the differences.
DSC_0013adj.jpeg
 
cicindela
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Gavin Gavin
Pic shamelessly stolen from Lou. Hope he doesn't mind. A favourite which illustrates the differences.
26330
Well there you go, looks like Lou has extras 👍


Opening here for Dennis.
 
U
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cicindela cicindela
Opening here for Dennis.

....which would lead to Dennis being beaten to a pulp for squandering the rest of the HIF.
 
cicindela
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U ulackfocus
....which would lead to Dennis being beaten to a pulp for squandering the rest of the HIF.
Mmm, might be a good pay per view.

Thought you would say, yeah right, like Steve has extra Constellations. 🙄
 
cicindela
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Have we run this here, don't remember. Good place for it though.

 
LouS
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Gavin Gavin
Pic shamelessly stolen from Lou. Hope he doesn't mind. A favourite which illustrates the differences.
26330

'zackly. Here's how it breaks down.

There are two vintage references with the three color dial. The A 3817 is in the trapezoidal case seen at left, and the A 386 is in the round case at right. Apart from the case, there are some subtle dial differences which leaves you with only one option - gotta get both. The A 386 has more immediate appeal, but don't knock that trapezoidal case until you've tried it - it is outstanding on the wrist.

In 2009, the much reviled Thierry Nataf launched the New Vintage collection, and one watch was the New Vintage 1969, which you see at center. It is the three color dial in an intelligently-upsized trapezoidal case. It is easily my favorite modern homage available - but it is a modern.

DSC_0013adj.jpg

Since then, the new Zenith CEO Jean-Frederic Dufour, has traded very heavily in Zenith heritage and has produced a number of models with the three color subdials, most notably the Striking 10th, seen below next to an A 386.

face.jpg

Clear?
 
LouS
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cicindela cicindela
Mmm, might be a good pay per view.

Thought you would say, yeah right, like Steve has extra Constellations. 🙄



..and Mike extra Speedmasters (and everything else)

cicindela cicindela
Have we run this here, don't remember. Good place for it though.



Always liked that one. Seems to strike quite the right note. Makes nice hay of the fact Zenith has been in the same physical plant since its foundation in 1865 - one of the very few - if not the only - to be so.
 
Hijak
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LouS LouS
face.jpg

It would be much easier to just buy the new version but I have some issues with it.🤔 The new version is just too big, on top of that they layered the sub dials incorrectly...The seconds and minute sub-dials should be layered over the hour sub-dial as it is on the original and with more room on the new dial they overlapped the sub-dials even more (whats with that). Some how the new version just does not have the soul of the original, just MHO. I can't get over what a cool watch the A386 is and its ~44 years old🥰, yet to be topped!
 
U
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cicindela cicindela
Mmm, might be a good pay per view.

Can I keep part of the profit? I used to get beat up for fun on the ice so getting beat up for money sounds somewhat appealing.

cicindela cicindela
Thought you would say, yeah right, like Steve has extra Constellations. 🙄

You don't have to possess a lot of extras to sell me. I'm only really interested in one. 😁
 
MMMD
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LouS LouS
'zackly. Here's how it breaks down.

There are two vintage references with the three color dial. The A 3818 is in the trapezoidal case seen at left, and the A 386 is in the round case at right.

LouS means A 3817, of course, not A 3818. The A 3818 looks like this😀:

null_zps8d403eea.jpg
 
LouS
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MMMD MMMD
LouS means A 3817, of course, not A 3818. The A 3818 looks like this😀:

null_zps8d403eea.jpg

Oop yes. Fixed.
 
D
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LouS LouS
it is virtually impossible to put a strap on this watch that doesn't work well.



Enjoy it! Happy Ebay story on that one. It was a late night find on a quick Ebay check between getting in from a boozy dinner and hitting the sack. A Miami dealer in designer handbags posted it just minutes before as Buy-It-Now for a pittance - $1400. Sobered up very fast checking the pics before hitting "Buy." The guy contacted me a week later offering me a Bvlgari. I never did have the heart to tell him what he'd sold me.
All I can say is, amaazing find...But 🍺 + ebay = 🤮 (if i'm even close to being that lucky it will be a miracle...) I have to find me one of these now.
 
Hijak
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Wow, I didn't realize how many people on this forum had this watch and how many want it as well! This will be a tough one as for the competition from this forum alone.😲
 
WatchVaultNYC
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OK fast forward to today. I have a Rainbow Flyback incoming like this:
Rainbow-profile.jpg

But while doing research I fell off the deep and and fell in love with the tri-color models. Now trying to figure out how to get into them:

- I could get the modern "1969 original" , about $5K new
- I could get the limited-to-500 "New Vintage" , about $5K-$6K
- I could get the A3817, but pricing info is scarce - asking is in the $13K
- I could get the A386, again pricing info scarce - asking is about $13K-$20K?

Am I way off in pricing? I would love to have a vintage A3817 or A386, but not sure what the prices are and cannot justify higher than $10K.
Edited:
 
WatchVaultNYC
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.. too late, got a BNIB "New Vintage 1969", also incoming 🙁

.. and I have seen recently sold A386 at the $7K mark, so maybe possible..
 
LouS
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WatchVaultNYC WatchVaultNYC
.. too late, got a BNIB "New Vintage 1969", also incoming 🙁

You won't be disappointed.
 
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