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Lightning Strikes Five Times - Gold El Primero - G-381

  1. dsio Ω 2

    dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Jan 17, 2013

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    True that...
     
  2. LouS Ω 2

    LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Jan 17, 2013

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    Quite agree. This one is worth a run and may even be the pick of the litter - certainly better than the Antiquorum piece

    Not that I know, and even if there were, I think they'd be comparable with the Ebay values. These have only lately started to climb in price, along with their stablemates.
     
  3. dxbzenith

    dxbzenith Jan 18, 2013

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    My aim is to add one "prime" El Primero from the '69 - '72 collection. I prefer the round case over the square case, purely personal no offence... Should I try and jump on one of these three or better sit back and await a A386 coming up for sale? What's the opinion of the forum on this?
     
  4. MSNWatch Ω 2

    MSNWatch Vintage Omega Aficionado Staff Member Jan 18, 2013

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    As a vintage omega guy and applying what I know in that field, this is the one I would go for of the 3. I like as found one owner watches like this one that hasn't been altered or modified along the years either by other owners or watchmakers. This one looks like a clean, carefully worn example and wouldn't be surprised if it fetched a good price.
     
  5. MMMD

    MMMD unaffiliated curmudgeonly absurdist & polyologist Jan 18, 2013

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    Shhhhh... sniper at work. ::cautious::
     
  6. Rdl81

    Rdl81 Jan 18, 2013

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    What about the Italian one nice example right? Just a bit over priced?
     
  7. LouS Ω 2

    LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Jan 18, 2013

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    Your round case options are the A 386 and the gold references. If you are going to get just one Zenith, you'll want the A 386, but you'll probably end up paying more than most of the gold references. Another case of stainless steel as a precious metal.

    Agree. Goes to show that the principles of vintage watch collecting are generalizable.

    Decent example, very ambitious pricing. 6500USD would be pricey, much less Euros.
     
  8. dxbzenith

    dxbzenith Jan 19, 2013

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    Info received from seller after asking running condition of watch: Quote - I turned the crown and nothing moved. When I pulled the crown out then the hour and minute hands do move. - Unquote. Better stay away or are there reliable repair / restoration services for Zenith?
     
  9. MSNWatch Ω 2

    MSNWatch Vintage Omega Aficionado Staff Member Jan 19, 2013

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    Isn't the seller just saying you need to pull the crown out to set the time?
     
  10. MMMD

    MMMD unaffiliated curmudgeonly absurdist & polyologist Jan 19, 2013

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    Everything inside the watch is fixable... for a price. If the movement status remains a mystery, I would brace myself for a potential additional cost of up to $1k (including the service that the watch should surely get).
     
  11. dxbzenith

    dxbzenith Jan 19, 2013

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    My question to seller was to check if after winding the crown in the middle of the three "buttons" on the right one could see the hands moving. That's a clear "no" so it seems some (serious?) work needs to be done on the watch to get it running. What is the forum's opinion / recommandation on where to send a vintage El Primero for service / restauration, either in USA or Europe?
     
  12. MMMD

    MMMD unaffiliated curmudgeonly absurdist & polyologist Jan 19, 2013

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    My recommendation would be to NEVER send a watch like that back to Zenith. Too dicey, and you cede too much control. I think the best thing is to find a local guy with a solid reputation, experience with the movement, and the willingness to limit his interventions according to your wishes. The great thing about the Daytona connection is that a lot of watchmakers working for Rolex AD's are pretty comfortable with the 3019 PHC's. I think the special lubrication issues are a thing of the past (but I'm sure the more knowledgeable gearheads will correct me if I'm wrong).
     
  13. LouS Ω 2

    LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Jan 19, 2013

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    I would direct seller's attention to the left subdial. If she doens't know chronos, she is probably expecting the central seconds hand to move - and it won't of course.

    Emphatically agree. I have sent vintage Primeros to LeLocle in the past, and their proposed "service" was horrifying, including case polish and an option for replacement with a wildly incorrect dial. You won't be able to actually talk to anyone there to discuss details and they'll just give it the "standard." The price was also horrifying - more than double their posted rated on their website.

    The bigger topic is that Primero service is always a hassle - many watchmakers don't want to be bothered. LeLocle won't supply parts, which adds to the hassle, but that's not the main issue as I have offered to supply them myself. One day, a watchmaker in the US is going to figure out that there is significant demand among collectors, take a premium for dealing with the parts issue, and do very well for himself.
     
  14. dxbzenith

    dxbzenith Jan 19, 2013

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    Thanks, great input and feedback. I've contacted the seller pointing out which dial to check! As regards to service : anyone experience with http://www.veldeszenith.nl/? Their claim is being a 100% Zenith specialist? Any other suggestions from the forum which companies to approach for service / restoration?
     
  15. Gavin

    Gavin It's the quiet ones you have to 'watch' out for. Jan 20, 2013

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    The seller just messaged me. He will end the listing and put up a new one with new description and better pics after getting it checked. Looks like everything is working fine.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261158661295Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
     
  16. LouS Ω 2

    LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Jan 20, 2013

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    I knew it - non-watch people always think chronographs aren't working. It's usually a great chance to get something at a discount.
     
  17. Gavin

    Gavin It's the quiet ones you have to 'watch' out for. Jan 20, 2013

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    I told him it is bad news for buyers and congratulated him.:D
     
  18. LouS Ω 2

    LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Jan 20, 2013

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    There you go being a gentleman again. :cool:
     
  19. Gavin

    Gavin It's the quiet ones you have to 'watch' out for. Jan 20, 2013

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    I had wanted to use this ::censored:: . But I was appalled ebay does not support it.
     
  20. MMMD

    MMMD unaffiliated curmudgeonly absurdist & polyologist Jan 22, 2013

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