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Opinions On This A384 Please

  1. timoss Mar 20, 2021

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    Recently started looking into these and came across this. These are the only (not great) pics I have (I have requested more) and I am not that familiar with this model so would love some feedback. Chrono hand and crown are incorrect but everything else looks ok. Hard to accurately judge dial with crappy pic but I like the tropical vibe. Not sure if that crud around the crown is just crud or corrosion. Curious what others think and what the good price range for these might be--they seem to be all over the place.

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  2. timoss Mar 20, 2021

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    Hmm. Pics didn't load let me try that again:
    e371fced6e81ef21ae9de1b50443d6a1.jpeg 2034a53f6f9ac63972d41ea12b8c0d33.jpeg 5febf5e35294a0a767cad324a0be7c2a.JPG 24c6cb717503a461ca85e66b526fea6e.JPG 0fa0b9690042d49626af3c36112f1fa8.JPG ffa281ba9fe3f492e9da6e3581a81e13.JPG 9839fed52c6babe1ecf05c51d62607e2.JPG
     
  3. timoss Mar 20, 2021

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    Looks a bit tired on second examination...
     
  4. Medinatalzahra Mar 20, 2021

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    1. Crown is not original, or even Zenith.
    2. Chrono (red) hand needs to be replaced. Also does not look original.
    3. Strap not original or Zenith
    4. Dial, Subregister hands, and hour/minute hands look correct; OK not great condition.
    5. Case very worn, but doesn’t look overly polished. Would like to see more photos, including of caseback.
    6. Would like to see photos of the movement. Guessing this is going to need a serious service.

    M
     
  5. Medinatalzahra Mar 20, 2021

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    Pricing on A384s is all over the place, but very influenced by condition. While there have been some crazy prices realized at Phillips recently for 2 tropical A384s - those are really outliers. Those watches were really fantastic.

    For an A384 like this, my best comp is Lot 253 form the November 8, 2020 Antiquorum auction in Geneva. It sold for a 4,800 CHF hammer (6,000 CHF with commission). That watch, however, was in better condition than this one. Both watches do not have the ladder bracelet. Hope that helps. M
     
  6. timoss Mar 21, 2021

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    Thank you, yes it does help. Appreciate the input.
     
  7. Medinatalzahra Mar 21, 2021

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    No problem. If you have any other questions, feel free to send them.

    I just looked at the photos again, and I would add that this watch has been polished and not very carefully. If you look at the case photos (I wish we had more angles), you can see the polish striations moving in a N/S direction which have screwed up the original sunburst pattern on the case. I can still see the original sunburst pattern in spots (e.g., on the upper left side of the case), but it has been messed up.

    If you get more photos, please post them -- as I would be interested to see them.

    So, in short, if you plan to take a flyer on this one, be prepared to be spend some $$ to properly address some of the watches issues (which may exceed the cost of the watch) and then you are still going to be stuck with the dial -- which isn't terrible -- but not great either.

    Would be happy for others to chime in with their thoughts....

    M
     
    apsm100 likes this.
  8. JohnSteed Mar 21, 2021

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    Case could possibly be ‘corrected’ though you’d have to send to a trusted watchmaker like @photo500 for a check these are notoriously difficult...

    While crown not original, not a dealbreaker I think. Each collector got a different view

    Dial, subregister hands, and hour/minute hands seem ok. Overall look not pleasing to my biased eye

    your best bet ... compare to other original examples and line up with your preferences!! GL
     
  9. timoss Mar 21, 2021

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    Thx. It’s ALMOST nice. Close enough to be tempting but...
     
  10. Medinatalzahra Mar 29, 2021

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    So, did you end up buying it. M
     
  11. timoss Mar 30, 2021

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    No I didn’t. I made a low offer but lost out to someone who shelled out a bit over $7k for it.
     
  12. Medinatalzahra Mar 30, 2021

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    I think you made a good decision passing on that one. Was the $7k with or without commission?
     
    Hijak likes this.
  13. Medinatalzahra Mar 30, 2021

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    BTW, in browsing Chrono24, I stumbled across this watch. It is already listed (although obviously not in the seller's possession) -- with all its faults. https://www.chrono24.com/zenith/zen...43-brown-panda-tropical-375mm--id18970622.htm

    Sorry to offend anyone, but I just do not care for folks flipping watches like this. It would be one thing for someone to take the time to get the watch right and put it on the market -- but just to turn this flawed example around immediately to try to make a quick buck just doesn't sit right with me.

    However, this one should sit a long while....

    M
     
  14. timoss Mar 31, 2021

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    Yes I believe the other one from the same auction is already on eBay as well. Good luck to them, I guess.