I have also been attracted to these lately and have looked at dozens of examples. I have found the best way to check the case on these is to put it side-by-side with one that is known to be untouched, comparing the widths and angles of the various surfaces. Watches my heart told me looked good, leaped out as refinished using this method. I keep a number of exemplar photos on file for just this purpose. For example, on cases that have been refinished, the top surface is often thinner at 3 and 9, and the top/side bevel is wider. That said, I have seen some very excellent refinish jobs. Done expertly, and if the dial is good, it would definitely not be a deal-killer for me, though it would affect the price I'd pay vs. one untouched.
These early El Primeros are a magnet to me lately as well. Just snagged a Fernseher myself, though it won't arrive for a while. I blame
@LouS for his wonderful El Primero cheat sheet and related reference posts/monographs on the early references.
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