Let's discuss this extremely rare Yellow Gold El Primero

If ever there was a watch that was perfect for testing Zenith's new Archive Extract service , it's this one.

I'm happy to present to you the mysterious watch after the treatment by Master Abel.



Here is a "before" picture for comparison:



Five months went by between these images - certainly worth the wait.



I opted for a moderate restoration without replacing any parts.

The case had to be refurbished, of course. We assume that this G model resembles the well known A3817. Abel managed to regain the original shape, lines, character of the watch - despite the great amount of material this case has lost over its lifetime (the lugs were missing millimeters, compared to the steel case). It's amazing how Abel feels these three dimensional shapes while also caring for perfect symmetries.

The dial was cleaned. The most tricky and dangerous task was to remove the old two component luminous material without damaging the indices or the dial. Even during this demanding phase Abel allowed me to feel like looking over his shoulder by continuously sending me up to date pictures of the dial. The chronograph second hand was re-lumed, too. Now the indices perfectly correspond to the fine main hands with original lume. The face simply looks right, nothing disturbs.

I'm not able to describe the numerous additional tasks Abel had to carry out on crystal, gaskets, crown, pushers, back, movement, etc.

Thanks again to Abel for this excellent work and the perfect communication. And thanks to the contributors of this thread, who supported this very special project.


Cheers,


Mick

Abel is Abel....

GIGI

You are right, these areas together with the facets along the sides are the signature features of this 3817 case. All of them were eliminated by the precedent polisher(s).

Well, you need a pair of eye-catching shoes to distract from a wrinkled face. Now, after the face lift, dignity and elegance are appropriate. 😀


Cheers,


Mick

Hi guys,

I have found another gold A3817 G3817 on a fair in Germany. I had the same response like some of you guys. Its a Franken. Then I discussed it with some fellow members of the forum and I got directed to this thread. It is a really interesting piece and has a very nice overall appeal. The hands and the lume are comparable with the original condition of the hands of the example of Mick Tock. It also has the same hallmarks.

Yesterday I took all the pictures. It is just a really nice looking watch according to my opinion. I have brought it to my case guy to give it a slight refurbishment since all the typical sun burst linings were gone. My guy does some remarkable polishing. He knows how to do hand polish a Royal Oak without the moulds.

Some before and after pictures and I have listed it on C24

Best, Wouter

If you enlarge the photo you have all the answers...
Maybe

GIGI

Last October for sale on C24

odd that both of these have the same new style crown? would be nice to find an "original."

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