Thought I would share the recent story of how I came to own this beautiful A386 MK3. I know the term "barn find" is tossed around loosely these days, but this watch truly came to me via a barnyard auction in the San Fernando Valley, CA. An early El Primero has always been a grail watch for me, but with the way prices have been going I was doubting I'd own one soon. Two weeks before I discovered this watch, a good condition A386 surfaced through the Goodwill online site. I put up a solid bid thinking it might go under the radar... but it went for 17K. Crazy. Cut to some weeks later when I receive an email flyer from an estate sale company here in L.A. I get them all the time, usually don't look at them, but as I scrolled down something immediately caught me eye. A few double takes later (Photo attached) I was certain it was an A386 sitting on a Navajo cuff amongst mostly junk jewelry... I couldn't believe it. The sale was to be a barnyard auction that was also going live on the internet also. After the Goodwill situation I was pretty sure someone must be seeing what I'm seeing, but maybe not. It was a long five days until the auction. I drove out to the valley in the AM on a Saturday to see the watch in person. I'm thinking to myself... it better not be on a table inside the barn because someone is going to walk away with it. When I arrived they had just begun auctioning off the farm equipment, old cars and tools that made up the bulk of the estate. My wife thought I was crazy, but I convinced her that getting this watch for the right price would be a good investment.. Hahaha. She's still not fully convinced. Over by the cashier they'd set up a glass cabinet for the lot of jewelry and I had my first look at the watch; I knew immediately that it was barely polished, if at all, and the dial looked really good despite the scratched up crystal. But I love scratched up crystals... every great find of mine has come with one. The jewelry is basically the last thing to be auctioned so I have to wait with palms sweating for a couple of hours. I'm checking the crowd and nobody seems to give a damn about what's in the case and I'm suddenly feeling optimistic. Finally it's time and the bidding begins. It's me an one other guy, who turns out to be an antique dealer. He knew the watch was worth something, but he didn't know enough. He took me all the way up to 3K before folding, and the watch was mine for a very good price. The crowd was amazed, they had no idea what all the fuss was about. Crazy thing is, if that guy hadn't been there I would've got the watch for a hundred dollars. But call me sentimental, I'm happy I paid what I did. The original owner obviously wore this watch for many years on that Navajo cuff (which protected the case amazingly), probably while he was working on the property. I'm happy to have paid a decent sum for it. It's totally the find of a lifetime. As you'll see from the pics, watch is really in great condition. I'm pretty certain that it was never polished since the original brushing is still visible under sunlight and the angles are great. I think the crown is a zenith service replacement, it's the right size, but the logo is the one from the 70's. I'd love for someone to verify that all MK3's came with the older star crown because I believe (please correct me if I'm wrong) the MK3 was produced around the time the branding changed (early 70's?). Serial # is 861D952. Hope people enjoy the story and pics. Oh... and if anyone knows where to find ZJ end links for the Gay Freres bracelet, I'm looking. Cheers -- Dan W.
Congratulations. Great watch. Love hearing these stories as the anticipation, nerves and thrill are always so vivid.
Can't agree more and for me too, many of my very best looked really, really terrible before being bought and having 5 minutes attention with a soft cloth and a tube of Polywatch
Here's the Goodwill one (I think)... https://omegaforums.net/threads/this-zenith-just-sold-for-17514.63639/#post-799982 https://omegaforums.net/threads/a386-mkiii.65680/
Huge congrats, it looks really great. Difficult to find in this condition. I'm not a specialist but I doubt that crown is correct for the reference. I hope it is though, I just got one for mine
Congrats!!! Gorgeous find and a great story (you'll probably tell it to your grandchildren - in case they will understand what a wristwatch is/was). But how cool is that Navajo bracelet!!??? Actually, it fits the watch perfectly and the A386 should be worn just like that, my 2ct! Cheers, F.Antl
We already exchanged on Instagram, but it was a pleasure reading the whole story with details, etc... Watch is in superb condition, patina is fresh and clean !! Congrats for the find !!!
Nice picture of the holy trinity: In the correct order, too (if you read Hebrew). Remember that the Seiko was being sold to the public in Japan when the Zenith was still in the prototype phase of development. The wait was worth it, as only the Zenith is still being made today. gatorcpa
Watches obtained in circumstances like this always seem to be a bit more special. Great story and find. Congrats!
Very well done, Sir ! Concerning the ZJ endlinks may be you should throw your NASA style fine mesh bracelet with curved ends (imo perfect for straight lugs speedy) into the ring. Is that a JB Champion or Forstner ? I think they are very hard to source, too. Was just my idea. Good hunting !