Advice on a pair of Zenith 156 gold chronographs

khanmu · Nov 4, 2018

Hi All

I'm in the market for a gold 37/38mm cream dial 2 register chronograph (3 register would be nice but probably outside my budget for now.) Looking at Zenith or UG (and I will post a WTB now). Just trying to educate my self, I came across these two.

Just a coupe of questions - should they all have a "Star" on the dial or does that depend on when the watch was made? Also, of these two, they look like redials (not too bad tho ), these are unfortunately the only photos I have of the dials. I would appreciate any thoughts or advice

1. First one - no "serifs" on the Zenith font and sub reg fonts seem a bit thick

2. Zenith font looks ok, but again, sub register font also look a bit thick

CaptainWinsor · Nov 4, 2018

The second one looks like a redial. A lot of numbers don’t match. 3 in 30-35. Sub dial numbers uneven and off center and the etched lines aren’t sharp and defined

khanmu · Nov 4, 2018

CaptainWinsor
The second one looks like a redial. A lot of numbers don’t match. 3 in 30-35. Sub dial numbers uneven and off center and the etched lines aren’t sharp and defined

Thanks for confirming my suspicions! The second was described as an untouched drawer find.... what did you make of the first? It’s described as near NOS and also untouched..

Oku · Nov 4, 2018

You can compare to the one of @bigsom that he had one for sale until October:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/196...iber-156d-reduced-to-2100.81500/#post-1054912

Second one is definitely a redial.

First one is difficult to say. A better photo is needed to be sure.
No serifs in Zenith, the 3s in the subdial look different to the seconds scale.
Personally, I would not buy unless I could see it in the flesh.
But even then it can be difficult. Not long ago, I had a nearly perfect redial in my hands. I just felt that there was something wrong with the dial. So I needed quite a long time to see that it is a redial but it was.

Oku · Nov 4, 2018

and for comparison my UG and my Zenith:

Indexes in the subdials of your first watch seem to be too short.

khanmu · Nov 4, 2018

Oku
You can compare to the one of @bigsom that he had one for sale until October:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/196...iber-156d-reduced-to-2100.81500/#post-1054912

Second one is definitely a redial.

First one is difficult to say. A better photo is needed to be sure.
No serifs in Zenith, the 3s in the subdial look different to the seconds scale.
Personally, I would not buy unless I could see it in the flesh.
But even then it can be difficult. Not long ago, I had a nearly perfect redial in my hands. I just felt that there was something wrong with the dial. So I needed quite a long time to see that it is a redial but it was.

Thank you... I also wasn’t sure about the “3s” on the subdial, and they look different to @bigsom (I’ve asked if he will see his, let’s see 😀

If the sellers had a actually said they were redials/refinished (assuming they knew) I might have been inclined to buy them as they are both fairly low priced..

khanmu · Nov 4, 2018

Oku
and for comparison my UG and my Zenith:

Indexes in the subdials of your first watch seem to be too short.

Thank you - that’s a very helpful benchmark! Oh, and as expcted - dibs!!

Oku · Nov 4, 2018

khanmu
If the sellers had a actually said they were redials/refinished (assuming they knew) I might have been inclined to buy them as they are both fairly low priced..

May I ask what's the asking price?
Personally, I would avoid the second one.

Oku · Nov 4, 2018

I forgot: The first one most probably has the wrong crown.

khanmu · Nov 4, 2018

Oku
May I ask what's the asking price?
Personally, I would avoid the second one.

For the first one it’s £1400 about $1800 (although bear in mind things are always a bit more expensive over here compared to the US..)

Oku · Nov 4, 2018

Difficult decision.
Imho, that's not really low and already factors the redial in. (I am not in the US...)

CaptainWinsor · Nov 4, 2018

Oku is right about needing a better pic for the first one. IMO it’s also redialed or ‘touched up’.

Larry S · Nov 4, 2018

khanmu
For the first one it’s £1400 about $1800 (although bear in mind things are always a bit more expensive over here compared to the US..)

These prices reflect the fact that seller knows these are flawed watches. That said these Uni Compax are a favorite of mine as well.

CaptainWinsor · Nov 4, 2018

Larry S
These prices reflect the fact that seller knows these are flawed watches. That said these Uni Compax are a favorite of mine as well.

Agree but you should be able to find a nice Zenith chrono under 2k which hasn’t been redialed or messed with

Dan S · Nov 4, 2018

Eberhard made some nice large 18k chronographs as well. Take a look. 👍

vujen · Nov 5, 2018

Both redials.
Find a nice 2 register gold 156 Zenith is not difficult, they are really underestimated references.

Please remember: a 156 Zenith does NOT have the "swiss made" writing at 6 o'clock.

khanmu · Nov 5, 2018

vujen
Both redials.
Find a nice 2 register gold 156 Zenith is not difficult, they are really underestimated references.

Please remember: a 156 Zenith does NOT have the "swiss made" writing at 6 o'clock.

Thank you! Just the amount I’ve learnt in the last few days is awesome! I’ll pass on these two and keep looking - and my WTB is up!

Graf · Mar 21, 2019

Hello Gentleman,

For me the vintage watches are a new passion and I am looking for a gold 156 Zenith.

I've found the following one offered for 1.8K EUR but I spotted some questionable features of the dial and the buttons. Could I have your advice?

Many thanks in advance!

Oku · Mar 21, 2019

Welcome!
Tell us, what exactly have you spotted?

Graf · Mar 21, 2019

Thanks !
Of course:
- the 45 and 15 on the sides are "cutted";
- the word BASE is a little blurry (also not sure if it should be on this model);
- the two buttons are in different color than the rest of the case;
- there's the "swiss made" under the 6 and I don't know if it should be on this model (I read somewhere on he forum that it shouldn' be there);
Perhaps you'll spot yet other details.....

Advice on a pair of Zenith 156 gold chronographs

khanmu

CaptainWinsor

khanmu

Oku

Oku

khanmu

khanmu

Oku

Oku

khanmu

Oku

CaptainWinsor

Larry S

CaptainWinsor

Dan S

vujen

khanmu

Graf

Oku

Graf

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