hi guys While I was visiting some long stored watches last week ... I took a few new pics of my A386 , I don't know all the different slight differences between sub versions but from what I quickly gather is like a third generation ? NATO caseback 862Dxxx SN Here are a few ... any comments ? Merry xmass
wonderful example. how an a386 case is supposed to look but few do i am told that the lume, when exposed to air, turns the dark green/brown you see on so many examples. very rare to have it fresh like yours is. most that look like this are re-lumed i believe this issue was fixed on later models like the a3817 and a3818
Great example, crown is replaced though (a good version of replacement still but the original, the star is bigger and almost cover the whole crown surface.)
The lug finish is fantastic. Love the shine off the textured registers - I prefer the original ladder bracelet, but I love the strap choice! Happy Holiday! - MP
Hi Sorry to tell you that is the original crown. I bought this from son of original owner in like 1995 crown was actually broken ( stem was broken). My watch make soaked crown to dissolve stem...and then replaced stem and put it back on watch. Bill
Beauiful MK3 in top condition !!! crown is not correct, but still acceptable to me.... Better than the replacement one from the 70s...
Hi @Frederic_gva Thanks for the complement . Like I mentioned before.... THis wawtch was bought from the son of a Sales man from Movado USA his dad won two watches as a top performer either 1970 or 1971... He sold the gold watch off an kept this one.... wore it till stem broke off then put it away in the box it came in with booklets.. (i think box was movado signed. ) That is the crown that came with the watch from the factory. I purchased this back in the early 1990s Pretty tight trail back to the factory. @Frederic_gva , did you work at Zenith in the 1970s ? regards Bill Sohne
Hi @Bill Sohne Thanks for your message. Maybe this crown with smaller circle is then correct... Possibly it was like a US version or something... ? I guess you made a good deal back in the early 90s... I was not born in 1971... But the head of heritage department at Zenith is a good friend of mine, which gives me access to useful information. regards to all Frederic
Hi @Frederic_gva As mentioned before he got it as an award from the movado/zenith company... its a 31j movement the crown is original to the watch as it was given to him from the factory. once stem broke his put it back in the box and that was until i got it. That is the best i can do in tracing it back... Bill
I love this Forum, how else does one piece together information to make a beautiful tapestry but by the collective knowledge of watch enthusiasts willing to impart their knowledge!! Thank you! Obligatory pictures, MkIII
I hadn't read on OF that this style crown was original to an A386 before, everything I had read here suggests it to be a service crown. Interesting. Anyone else on OF have an A386 they believe to be all-original with this crown (US version as @Frederic_gva asks, or otherwise)? Thanks all-
Hi guys Once again the history of this watch. . It was given by Zenith -Movado in early 70s as a sales award to an employee . I got this as is from his son w broken stem and " has not been used since stem broke off and my dad put it back in the box " . When I got it the original buckle was in the box and it was on a twist o flex bracelet ..... Good hunting Bill
Dear Bill, your watch is an incredibly nice A386. The look of the crown is a bit different from the others that had a due diligence by members like me for my two A386 MK1 and MK3. But I am convinced, that there might have been some bottlenecs in the Production (esp. for the MK3) that leads Zenith to use other genuine crowns (from f.e. A3736 or A277 owns) for the ongoing Production process which are looking like yours. But I have no evidence for that. Hope that can Build a bridge.... Best Hajo
Hi @chronoboy64 Been collecting for about 30 years now.... Been told by Omega Bienne on more then one occasion I was incorrect on an item or something and then they came around and agreed with my assessment, mind you in come cases it took them 8 years.... but they diid come back and agreed. i have come across stuff that other thought was put together etc.... On the A386 , I am confident on this watches history and fine with keeping it as is. Time will tell.... Good Hunting Bill