I know they've been paying attention, so I'm surprised by Hodinkee's low-altitude pricing of this Cairelli... but not surprised that it flew out the door. How much did they leave on the table?



http://shop.hodinkee.com/products/1960s-military-zenith-cairelli?variant=20394728452

 

well, seeing how they regularly sold for around 10K just a few months ago, I think its a good price. Although this example looks very nice, and they probably could have asked more (especially considering the speed it sold)...but this seems to be the current value. Other than an odd auction sale, Ive never seen these sell for more than $13k.

Hodinkee seems to have very fair pricing overall, Ive not seen too many overpriced pieces since they started.

 

@MMMD, what would you have priced it at?

 

I've seen some (non AMI issued) sell on C24 for $14K and more in the past. If Hodinkee wanted to, who knows the price they could have achieved. Likely $15K or more?

 

Well that Phillips result was anomalous, but then a non-issued example went for around $15k at Christie's, so maybe shoot for $20k? $13k strikes me as more of a collector-to-collector price for that watch.

 

You're assuming that it wasn't financed...

 

I hope you guys are right...I bought mine last year for considerably less than this sale.
But, I've not seen any sell in the 14-15k range (other than the auctions)...asking price is one thing, but most sales I have seen this year have been in the 11-13k range.

Regardless, this one looks exceptionally nice.

 

Agree this is the prevalent market-clearing band for the past six or eight months. Issued/marked examples command some premium for equal condition.

Opinions seem to differ if any of these Cairelly are reallt "civilian" as the term might apply to other references that were made for both military and public markets.

 

What do you mean?
There are two versions (or should I say two different case backs) One with military inscriptions and one without.

 

Casowatches has one for sale at the moment. They're asking €16500, which is about $18500.

 

There are in fact more than two versions of the caseback. Some were issued to the Pubblica Sicurezza (State Police) and so designated on the caseback (P.S.), similar to the air forces marks. I have seen a couple of these.

The examples that have no additional markings are so-called "civilian", but as I understand it were also government issued to various officials or departments other than the two mentioned above.

If there is evidence these Cairelli were sold directly to the public by Zenith, I haven't run across it, but then I certainly don't claim exhaustive knowledge.

Would welcome additional information if other members would be so kind as to chime in.

 

They've had that for a couple weeks online, currently showing as "Reserved". Was showing as "reserved" previously and then came back available. All others I've seen for sale have been in the 10-14k area.

 

re: Swallows

Best comedy film ever, IMO.

 

I was in a plane, else I would have likely scooped this up at 13k... Timing is everything ...

 

My comment is in the last paragraph above.

 

I've heard/read that too, but seemed to me speculation (informed perhaps) rather than fact. I think it is more clear that the Cairelli reference was produced under a government contract and intended solely for government use and never produced with the intention of sale to the general public. So, I'm not sure any of them are really "civilian" as the term is used for other references that were produced concurrently for both government and public e.g. Omega Seamaster 300.

 

yea I'm aware... I was lumping all the issued pieces (or should I say inscribed pieces) vs those that had no inscriptions. But regardless, the market has put more value on the pieces that are inscribed.

 

dammit...are you going to change my subtitle again?