Hi @LouS @moyrules @subregister @TexOmega @chronoboy64 - I am a total newbie to vintage watches. Fell in love with the A386 for some odd reason . Found this "A386 Mk I" on Chrono24. I've been reading all of your wonderful A386 posts. Thank you . Wondering what you experts think?? Worth it at $14K USD?? Photo Source: Chrono24 Item Description: Up for sale (only within EU) is this extremely rare 1969 Zenith El Primero A386 mark I, equiped with the iconic 3019 PHC high-beat movement, with 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 hz) permitting measurements to a tenth of a second. The El Primero Ref. A386 has become extremely hard to find and is without any doubts the first choice for those whose collect Zenith’s watches or High frequency 1970s vintage chronographs. According to the book Zenith, by Joël Duval the model, ref. A386, was produced between 1969 and 1972, a total production of 4500 examples in stainless steel. According to the book Zenith, by Manfred Rössler, Edition Damiani, only 2500 examples of the A386 reference were produced between 1969 and 1971. Rare, made in small quantities, well-powered with its column wheel high beat cal. 3019, the Zenith A386 has become an absolute classic. The kind of watch who immediately attracts the collector’s eyes. The watch is a true classic, which is why Zenith reissued it several years back. Versions of the A386 model: The model can be split into three production runs: - The Mark I, early production series, with case no. 538DXXX to 539DXXX, estimate range in the 200 to 400, with thin sub dials hands, plain (or smooth) case back, no groove on the lugs, slightly different design from the two other mark, dial with letter P (from CHRONOGRAPH) and letter C (from AUTOMATIC) perfectly superposed, winding crown set with a four pointed star inside a circle inside case back engraved and centered, as follow, by order of appearance from top to bottom « Zenith, Swiss Made, Acier Inoxydable » (no Spillman number). Case is untouched, minor signs or wear, hairline scratches as seen in pictures, as to be expected for a 49 year old watch. Hour, minute, second and subdial hands are all correct to the Mark I model. Original untouched dial and caseback (serial clearly visible). Tachy and crown are original Zenith service parts. No known service history but the watch keeps time perfectly and all functions (start-stop-reset) work as they should (small video to show this on request).
MK 1 in any condition is hard to find. Not an expert but I think the price feels fair considering dial wear and service tachy scale and crown. They guys you tagged will know better and are certified experts on EPs
The hands look much newer than the dial, but perhaps they are just repainted and re-lumed. I'm not crazy about the look.
I agree that the color and texture are off but they do not look like service hands so relume is possible but I am also concerned when I see perfect matching patina That said a MK1 always commands a premium over a MK 2 or 3 and don’t come to market too often below 20K
That service inner bezel would be a no no for me, and the overall condition on this one is a bit... meh... Mark I is a bit harder to come by, but if the condition is not spot on, i would definitely go for a nicer Mark II instead. On a value aspect, a nicer MkII commands as big of a value than a average Mk I in my opinion. Do you have a picture of the movement?
In theory due to rarity a MK1 in top condition would command a premium compared to a MK 2/3 in equal condition. In practice this is not something I have observed, the nuances between the MKs does not really get priced into the market much. Albeit the MK1 does not pop up often so this makes value judgements tricky. As the A386 gains in popularity and collectors learn more about them perhaps the MK1 will become highly desired over the others. One thing is clear that as soon as any MK has issues the value drops significantly. This particular watch the dial has enough scuffs to indicate it has been on a sloppy watchmakers bench. All hands appear to be repainted. The hour counter hand in the 6 o'clock subdial has a pointy top, other two hands are straight. The crown and tachymetre ring are service parts. The seller has not provided a movement photo. A lot of factors that would put picky collectors off.
I enjoy a lot Zenith vintage watches, but I am far away from being an expert, my eyes hardly see what other experts of this forum. My general opinion for this watch is NO. Service tachymeter bezel, not including bracelet, service (and not a specific nice one) crown, and condition of the dial ... I see lot of concerns to pay a lot for this watch (and 14k of € or $ is a lot of). I would not pay lot of money for a Mark I that is not in nice condition (and in that point, probably price would be much higher than 14k). I would prefer a Mark II in better condition (an you probably will pay less). In addition, congrats for seeiking for a A386, probably the most important watch from Modern Zenith (IMHO), a grail.
I agree with the above, with an emphasis on one/several/many fumble-fingered incursions inside. And if they couldn't be bothered to take care of the dial, I have great concerns inside, especially when no pix were shown. Overall, an unattractive case/dial/color and an unknown but likely money pit inside. At the very least, I would expect a movement as bungled as the center post area of the dial. But don't allow me to influence your decision we need pix with all this prose.....!!! MarkIII
I also agree with the above said. The watch is offered on C24 for a long lime now. Seems to be not so attractive at leat with this price tag. Best Hajo
What opinions on this A386 on eBay? I learn so much when you guys pick these apart! https://www.ebay.com/itm/153861116078Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
pass - service scale, service dial, service main hands and two types of register hands (at least 2 of them are service)
A strong pass, as mentioned above full of service parts and also looks to have a very soft case as well.
A watch with a soft case is referred to a case that has been polished in the past, where it’s original shapes, brushing or chamfers have been polished away or altered. In this particular watch the brushing on top of the lugs have been polished away and the case is showing a bit of soft edges where the original shape should be sharp. I was probably done at the same time it had all the service parts replaced.