Tradition states I should start the thread with The compulsory "Sadly I have decided to let go of my beloved blah blah blah because of Blah blah" But I am not sad at all. This is not my fathers or uncles watch, nor my graduation watch. Nor my first or last watch. It's just part of my hobby and collection habits and I just made a couple of purchases and true to my form that means the least worn goes. So:

Zenith El Primero “De Luca” Series (1988) 1st gen #1.0043.400 (375 Produced) case marked 1.0040.400 1988 EDIT: ( see thread posting under this for additional information on this reference as it appears it may be a 1988 model of an even smaller production. Post amended.

Zenith made this model to honor "De Luca" Chief agent for Zenith in Italy. The first generation was a limited edition and due to it's success several more Generations followed but they have slightly more complicated and busy dials.

Of the original batch only 375 pieces where made on the white panda version. this is one of them.

Movement is a high beat "el primero" movement. Of course original to the piece

I do not have Box nor papers and acquired this watch earlier this year from the original owner (a politician ) because I don't trust politicians, much less republicans I took it to a watchmaker here in NYC to assess and service. As it so happens the watch according to my watchmaker was serviced within the last 2 years and it is all original in great condition with one exception. The bracelet.

The steel Zenith Bracelet is original to Zenith and to De Luca models but not this particular series, which was originally sold on brown leather. It fits comfortably a 7.25 wrist and is great. Just not the original leather band.

Dial is a beautiful and traditional Diver 40mm size with a tachymeter in the inner ring dial and a uni directional diver bezel on the outer. Notably the first Gen De luca's do not have the "el Primero" legend, which has earned them the pre "el Primero" De luca's alias

The watch is working perfectly, all functions working as they should. Condition is an easy 90% with just some very minor (and easily polished) marks on bracelet and if looked at an angle a couple of sun burst lines in the dial crystal/ acrylic that ,again,can be easily polished away.

I am asking a reasonable $ 5000 US including shipping within the US. I accept bank wire and Paypal gift and will be happy to invoice you through Paypal if you cover the fees.

Most people in the Forum know me. I have several sales and even more purchases and an extensive post record. If you're a member in good standing here please feel free to contact me with other payment options and trades. If you're not please be polite and respectful; I don't really have the time to email you my birth certificate and pledge allegiance to scientology to sell a watch.

Best Offers accepted but please know what you'e buying and offer accordingly. this is not a plastic Swatch and there area only 325 pieces around the world so the price is not at all bad.

By the way: offers such as " what's the lowest you can go..." Are NOT offers and will be met with the response "what's the highest YOU can go" in other words don't make me make an offer for you. Please

Trades may be considered but I am more focused really on the $ as I just made a couple of purchases already.

NY face to face I will add a beer of your choice

Returns accepted if watch is misrepresented or not authentic. Returns not accepted if you realize you just spend your rent money and your wife, girlfriend, mother or conscience is not letting you sleep at night.

Now Pictures:

 

Buy it!


That's my bump for the day.

 

According to Rössler's latest publication, only 375 of this very first version (with dial "Zenith Automatic"; 01.0043.400(1) he names them) were made in 1988.
The other 415 (he calls them 01.0043.400(2)) have different dial and hands (Mercedes hour hand and Rolex look alike round hour lume markers "Zenith El Primero Automatic") and were made in 1989.
(removed the screw down crown remark for the (2), my mistake)

 

That's strange. All the research I did prior to purchase and since lead to the 1984 dates and the 790 production. Yes, the next generations where round markers.

Edit: just went back through my notes and of course you're correct. The only discrepancy I find is the production quantity but perhaps the 790 reflects the entire 1st gen ( black and white combined) and there's a typo somewhere making it 750.

Cases are stamped for both references 1.0040.400.

In any event I amended the posting with the corrections.

Thank you for adding this information and correcting my errors.

Cheers!!

 

The (1) and (2) are not official reference differentiations. If you sum the two 01.0043.400 (top right and bottom left) 375+415=790.
Also Rössler mentions that they are all just stamped 01.0040.400.

 

I've heard of the small production runs (350 - ~1000) of these watches many times from many sources, but it's very hard for me to believe the numbers. The level of saturation in the market suggests there were more made than that. I'm probably wrong - but this is an instance when my experience conflicts with what I've been told. Perhaps its because these are relatively young watches and most are still around.

It's a beautiful watch and GLWS!

 

Rössler differentiates 7 different versions of the panda (total 2410) and 6 of the reverse panda (total 4225) of the De Luca I in steel + 2 versions steel/gold (total 680). So the overall total numbers are not that low.

 

Exactly right. And there are really very few of the 1st gen ( non rolex attributes like Mercedes hands, round markers etc) I saw one for 8g in Switzerland and one in Italy around my price and I believe a couple of days ago there was one at around 6g on either eBay or Chrono24. But you really don't find more than 2 or 3 around.

 

Bump...make me am offer I can't refuse.

 

Bump

 

Bump

 

reduced to $4.750

 

Hola!

 

Bump

 

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4600...

 

bump