Of A 386 Casebacks And Forgeries

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LouS

·Apr 20, 2013·Mrs Nataf's Other Son

sohail

Hi Lou must have seen this selling on eBay ....

This sold for USD 3101.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350762798978?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

It's the first time to my knowledge that one of the fakes has sold in open auction, and addresses the value differential between the legit ones and the bogus '460' series - looks like about a 40-50% markdown from the real McCoy. It compares rather starkly with the HKD 38750 paid for the one at Antiquorum in November 2011.And interesting too that the seller is not one who goes to open auction at Ebay quickly - I can only imagine he found this one unsaleable otherwise.

 

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BGBG

·Apr 21, 2013

Here is another fake louS for your database , if you type in zenith a386 el primero on youtube you will find two a386 , one of the watches was uploaded on Sept 22,2011 and when you zoom in on it you can make out the numbers 985d460

 

A

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a386

·Apr 29, 2013

Hi guys,
sorry for not having introduced myself yet, but there is a question that "burns under my nails" ... ;-)
I was offered an A386, with vintage dial, correct looking bracelet ( "ZJ" stamped in the endlinks) and "NATO-star" caseback.
Inside SP1205, but on the outside absolutely no case-number... I'm worrying that there might be something not correct. Any comments?

thanks in advance,
a386

 

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LouS

·Apr 29, 2013·Mrs Nataf's Other Son

It might have been polished off if the case has been worked over, although it would take a pretty heavy polish to do that. Look at it very carefully with a loupe and the light coming from an oblique angle - you should be able to see vestiges of it. The good news is that the forged ones generally have the case number engraved quite deeply into the metal and are even more unlikely to polish out than the real ones.

Of course, we'd be able to give more in depth commentary if we had some pictures.

 

U

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ulackfocus

·Apr 29, 2013

LouS

Of course, we'd be able to give more in depth commentary if we had some pictures.

Bingo.

 

A

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a386

·Apr 29, 2013

LouS
thanks for your quick reply. Unfortunately i've no access to the watch (saw it on a watchfair yesterday), but i took the 12x magnifier and
inspected the area where the case-number on the outside has to be found closely. Nothing, not the slightest hint ... and on top, the case
looked unpolished, so i'm 99% sure that there was no attempt to wipe something out...

Forgot to ask. I've seen two types of bracelets. G&F and the other type says only "stainless steel".
Is there any knowlegde about the non G&F bracelets? Aftermarket?

 

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LouS

·Apr 29, 2013·Mrs Nataf's Other Son

Well, the gamblers have been doing pretty well in A 386s - perhaps worth a punt if the price is lower than market.

 

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stephane

·Feb 24, 2014

Hello everyone,

Thank you for all the information.
I am actually buying a Zenith El Primero A386 (#922D... I blurred the last 3 digits), and it looks really great, except, there is no "T Swiss Made T" or "- Swiss Made T" on the dial. Is it a problem? What do you think?

I share with you the pictures 😀

 

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avantnoire

·Feb 24, 2014

Stephane,
it looks like the dial is off center...too much reveal of the outer black up top, and not enough at bottom..see if you can get the seller to open the watch...

 

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stephane

·Feb 24, 2014

Avantnoire,
You may have right, so it's hiding the "T Swiss..." under the 50 at 6'.
The watch has been revised by an authorized Zenith reseller in last January. They revised the watch and changed the glass.

 

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papaebetu

·Feb 24, 2014

Maybe no feet under dial...
However uncorrect red second hand and crown

GIGI

 

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stephane

·Feb 24, 2014

GIGI,
What do you mean by "no feed under dial". Less space, dial mounted incorrectly?
Yes, red second has been replaced, but for the crown, you said this because it's a smaller one?

 

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avantnoire

·Feb 24, 2014

or incorrect movement ring...

 

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papaebetu

·Feb 24, 2014

correct crown got the circled logo more big, the ring is near "dents"

GIGI

 

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stephane

·Feb 24, 2014

You are f****** expert guys!

 

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stephane

·Feb 24, 2014

The second hand is clearly a bad point. For the crown, I don't care too much. The dial & hands are orgininal. The watch is for sale for 4500€. Do you think it's a fair price or I should wait?

 

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papaebetu

·Feb 25, 2014

You buy the price or a correct chronograph ?

GIGI

 

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stephane

·Feb 25, 2014

I buy a beautiful chronograph without an original second hand & crown, but orginal case, dial...
I asked the seller to check the dial to center it. Wait it's response.

 

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papaebetu

·Feb 26, 2014

and also a photo of caliber... 😉

GIGI

 

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stephane

·Feb 27, 2014

papaebetu

and also a photo of caliber... 😉

GIGI

I may have a surprise?