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My Zenith El Primero A386 Story - Experts, Please Critique!

  1. cristos71 Jul 14, 2015

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    He was a something of a WIS you know,

    here´s just some of his box collection ( a substantial number are said to be containing ``strap fails``)

    Government_Warehouse.jpg
     
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  2. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 14, 2015

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    Key thing is that the assessment of any piece needs to be made by someone that isn't making money off of the deal.

    One piece of wisdom a businessman from the Gold Coast once gave me is he always has two accounting firms, one to invest his money and another to count it and make sure its all there. You can never get impartial and honest assessment from someone who stands to benefit.
     
    nicolas07 likes this.
  3. nicolas07 Jul 14, 2015

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    Sorry to read that Luzer... :(
    But I would give you same advice than others: send it back to Mr Bain.
    I am pretty disappointed as I was thinking Mathew Bain was someone of trust...
    As @dsio said, it is difficult to trust in someone who is trying to make money on you... :(
    Good luck
     
    luzer likes this.
  4. LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Jul 14, 2015

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    I doubt very much this was an intentional deception on Bain's part. The case number business is a pretty abstruse piece of knowledge.
     
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  5. Darlinboy Pratts! Will I B******S!!! Jul 14, 2015

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    image.jpg
     
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  6. luzer Jul 15, 2015

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    3 days now... have not heard back from MB
     
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  7. E-diddy Jul 15, 2015

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    I'm surprised. Figured they would be responsive. Tried calling them as well?
     
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  8. Stewart H Honorary NJ Resident Jul 15, 2015

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    Assuming you didn't go outside of eBay/Paypal, start a complaint.
     
  9. LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Jul 15, 2015

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    Give them a phone call. In my experience, they are a pretty professional outfit.
     
  10. luzer Jul 15, 2015

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    will do
     
  11. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 16, 2015

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    Another return vote. Every time someone asks you about it or complements it, you will always regret that watch is not what it supposed to be and feel a need to explain.
     
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  12. luzer Jul 16, 2015

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    Anyone here think - "keep the Mark 1, see if you can wear it safely. buy a caseback when you find one"?
    Just curious
     
  13. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 16, 2015

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    Unfortunately $7500. is a lot of, "think, if and buy", to swallow. But it is really your decision to make.
     
  14. E-diddy Jul 16, 2015

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    Not me. 100% return.
     
  15. nicolas07 Jul 16, 2015

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    100% return too
    mark i is indeed the rarest of the 3 but if it is not in near perfect or at least original condition you will not valorize it as it should :(
     
  16. Darlinboy Pratts! Will I B******S!!! Jul 16, 2015

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    Not I. It would eat away at my enjoyment of the watch. YMMV
     
    luzer likes this.
  17. papaebetu Jul 17, 2015

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    Have seen here many A386, many correct yes, but also with wrong or service hands, reaut, crown and sometimes dial,
    payed also too much, someone with "correct" serial but reprint too......:(
    Now this from Luzer, payed not so much for the period, 1st case, a bit "lived" but with a discuss caseback is the most franken watch??
    Really ?:eek:
    There are Daytonas Paul Newman with uncorrect caseback sold and for 100-130k and now we are all "taliban" with the Luzer's A386 ....
    Please...:)

    Luzer, how you wear your watches? Upside down? U know Ebay ?
    Enjoy your very rare 1st series, and keep open eyes for the caseback. ;)

    That's my 2cents

    GIGI
     
    Edited Jul 17, 2015
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  18. wristpirate Jul 17, 2015

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    If the only issue with the watch is the caseback then I would just keep it and then start the hunt for a caseback! In the meantime I wouldn't wear it until I found the case no matter how long that took. I'd want everything about such an iconic watch to be spot on.
     
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  19. mahamithra Jul 18, 2015

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    A few comments here take the game a bit far. There are some dealers that are responsible and tell you exactly what it is you are buying or not buying. But in truth Mat Bain is selling watches for $1,000,000 sometimes. This is certainly near the bottom of the pile my guess he does not have the intricate knowledge or the willingness to spend the time to find out. However there is no excuse for making an incorrect statement, if he stated it was the correct back!
    The reason you buy such a time piece is because you want a piece of watchmaking history. Although not the rarest EP it is one of the most highly recognized pieces and sought after. Speak to Matthew, tell him your unhappy get your money back buy something that you will never have to make an excuse for! My final comment is: is not what you pay, it is the object you own!
     
  20. luzer Jul 22, 2015

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    quick update, MB is responding, salesman was checking with his 'experts', agreed the caseback is from an early universal
    and
    Everyone I spoke to told me the watch is worth the $7,500 even with the wrong case back.