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  1. LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Nov 11, 2017

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    Since the chronograph world has lost its mind, I have been digging around gold three-handers, an old enthusiasm of mine. About a year and a half ago I stumbled across a french-cased 133.8 in a shop in Paris. Since everyone has a knee-jerk aversion to Non-Swiss cases, I had to indulge my contrarian urges and buy it. Since then, I have kept an eye out for these dress models which seem to be unusual carefully made. The dial invariably has applied markers and a two-tone finish, and is housed in a fairly straightforward circular case with a mock stepped bezel. I have yet to find one with a cal 71.

    This early model is in a snap back case featuring unusually elegant spearpoint hands. Dial & movement are marked as foreign manufacture, as required by French law. IMG_1133.JPG

    Casemaker is EA in a lozenge - anyone know what entity that is?
    IMG_1151.JPG

    Case is marked with the french eaglehead 18K hallmark. Serial number does not fit into the swiss Zenith sequence.
    IMG_8164aa.JPG
    IMG_1157.JPG

    The most elegant of these overall is one I found first, NOS from an out of business jewelry store. It has a simple symmetry of fleche markers, and ranks with the most beautiful of the Zenith watches of the era, Captains not excluded.
    IMG_1177.JPG

    The case is now screwback, a little thicker and heavier, and made by casemaker with mark AF in a lozenge
    IMG_1194.JPG IMG_1195.JPG

    The last of these has the most over-the-top dial, resembling one I have seen in a Zenith in steel. Despite the fact that some understatement has been lost, it has an easy appeal.
    IMG_1162.JPG
    IMG_1174.JPG

    All in all, a nice little array of well worthy of Ephrem Jobin's superb 133.8.
    IMG_1210.JPG

    Here's to everyone's continued aversion to foreign cases!
     
  2. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Nov 11, 2017

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    Beautiful trio, Lou, and good lesson for the young'uns!
     
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  3. ConElPueblo Nov 11, 2017

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    Stunning collection! A perfect blend of obscurity, elegance and tecnical merit for a focussed and highly desirable sub-collection. Perfect, perfect, perfect.
     
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  4. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Nov 11, 2017

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    What amazes is how clean these are . :thumbsup:
     
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  5. Dre Nov 11, 2017

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    Whatever entity AF is, these watches are definitely cool AF (as f**k)!
     
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  6. wristpirate Nov 12, 2017

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    A stunning trio.

    I'm curious what the crowns look like, do they have any logo?
     
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  7. LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Nov 12, 2017

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    they don't, and I'm not sure which of them are original
     
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  8. wristpirate Nov 12, 2017

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    I'd have a preference for the EA crown which is the flattest. Also the numerals on that one yum :thumbsup:

    Thanks for sharing
     
  9. LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Nov 12, 2017

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    That's my leading choice for original and my favorite as well. The rest seem out of character with the period and the intent of the watch
     
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  10. wristpirate Nov 12, 2017

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    Fully agree. Would you also assume the AF one to have an original crown if it is NOS?
     
  11. Hijak Nov 12, 2017

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    Wow Lou...just WOW!::love::::love::::love::
     
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  12. LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Nov 12, 2017

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    Well, I guess I always take NOS with a grain of salt, so I don't think I would make this assumption
     
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  13. aap Nov 16, 2017

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    What a trio, Lou! Beautiful :)
     
  14. François Pépin Nov 16, 2017

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    EA could be the "poinçon de maître" of Alary, a Parisian jeweller (260 rue saint-Martin).

    http://forum.horlogerie-suisse.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22154
     
  15. kkt Nov 16, 2017

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    Wow! Thank you for posting.
     
  16. levkov Apr 5, 2018

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    They're something special for sure, absolutely love them!
    May I ask what they measure across the case? They seem to be quite large, is that right?