The new record-holder for a vintage El Primero on Ebay - not an A 386, long the most expensive of the steel El Primeros, but an A 3817, sold for $6643 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Zen...QpDYryXgagoI1UQNEYwShhM=&orig_cvip=true&rt=ncPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network This is the highest price for a vintage El Primero I've seen at straight auction on Ebay, and comes close to the $6875 achieved by the A 386 at Christies earlier this month, and the record $7000 achieved by a fake at Antiquorum last fall. Just last week, an A 384 achieved $4869: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZENITH-EL-P...=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network Aberrant spike, or have vintage Primero prices for these angular tonneau cased references bumped to the next level?
There were two last-second bids on the A 3817 that were over $6500, which pushed the price nearly $2K over the next group of bids (three in the $4000 to $4800 range). On the A 384, we see the same thing...two bidders in the $4800s, more than $1100 over the next highest bidder. In the past, the lower range of bids for both watches would have produced the winner. Whether there is broader appetite for higher prices is yet to be seen, but I think the higher prices show that there are a few strong collectors entering or in the market (the winner of the A 384 and runner up for the A 3817 appear to be the same person).
Vintage watches are getting more popular. One of the lady dealers I know has told me that her watches are selling faster and at higher prices than 8 to 10 months ago. She specializes in the $200 - $1000 range. It would make sense that the more primero pieces (oooo, that was a bad pun ) are fetching better prices too.
This reasonably nice A385 is sitting unloved at GBP 2944.99 (love that number!) or approximately USD 4700. It will be interesting if there is a knock-on effect and it sells for that price. On one hand, I am glad that the angular cases are finally receiving the attention they deserve. On the other hand, that very same attention pushes them beyond my budget. I have seen the same thing happen to several watches that I like, such as the Omega 376.0822, the Sinn EZM1, and the Lemania SAAF. None of them have gotten any less expensive.
I say it still is - if it breaks USD4000, I will be convinced it is a new day for El Primero; these rarely go much beyond $3000. Also, from that seller, no buy without a movement shot. He has subbed in a cal.400 into one of these in the past. Don't much care for the faux-aged lume either.