So I've been scouring for an early version of the Rainbow (https://forums.watchuseek.com/f27/z...all-different-models-1992-1999-a-1028001.html) I've come across the below from a dealer in Italy. However, I'm pausing on the caseback. It looks laser etched, not deep and engraved. What do we think? Thanks for looking.
Here is the back of my 1993 Rainbow and it is engraved, not laser etched. The rest of the watch looks legit to me.
I’ve been recently reading about these too and there seems to have been 3 runs as far as I can tell beteeen 92’-‘99, bound to be variations.
I just went to chrono24 and searched Rainbows from the 1990's and there are a few variations in caseback. Here is one similar to the one you are looking at. https://www.chrono24.ca/zenith/el-primero-rainbow-bicolor--id11152705.htm
I like the bi-colour blue dial that I have but the black one you are looking at is very sharp, also. I also have a chunky C-case surf from 1973 - I don't wear them a lot but love the movement and the story about Charles Vermot. Has the one that you are looking at been serviced? These are expensive pieces to maintain.
When you say expensive to maintain- as in they are more complicated to service than something like an 861 or 7750? Are parts readily available for these older Zeniths? Can any watchmaker get parts directly from Zenith or only auth. Service centers? Are parts like the bracelets for their older models (like the rainbow) still available?
a wonderful watch, and it is in italy as well which makes me more excited, only, the seller claims it is 1985 but it should have been in the zenith range only from 1992, correct?
True. It's so tough wiring thousands of dollars to a stranger and then not actually knowing what you're going to get....
Totally agree. There are members here who buy $50k watches all day long, and for others (like me) over $1k feels like all the money in the world. Is this on chrono24? Do you have any knowledge of or faith in the seller? Perhaps if it’s a dealer, you can share the name on the forum and see if anyone has dealt with them.
Crazy! I'd have nightmares about not being able to buy another piece for years after getting burned like that. Good idea. I did a quick search which didn't turn up anything. Maybe I'll post a thread in open discussion. It's indeed on chrono24: https://www.luigirossogioielli.com/ https://www.facebook.com/luigirossogioieli/ Looks like they're brick and mortar, which gives me hope.
Parts are available but only through authorized repair centers. In some countries, the dealers send the El Primeros into the main LVMH repair center. In Canada where I live, a service will cost you upwards of $1,000 Cdn ($650 USD). You have lots more options with 861 and 7750 movements. There are fewer independent watch repair people who service El Primeros.
This is good information. A rainbow (the colored dial style) is on my radar (as is the prime- love a manual winder) and threads I find on Zeniths gush about the watches themselves, but never talk about the cost of ownership. Good to know for when it comes time to take price with a seller/dealer.
I find it strange that someone with a watch of this provenance doesn't know what year it is from. I have a 1993 Rainbow 400 and the person I bought it from is a very well respected member on this forum, who bought it from Japan via internet auction. My 1973 surf 3019 was purchased from a respected seller on a Canadian watch collector forum. That person bought it from a well respected seller on this forum.
Well, he sure does have a great inventory. I think a new thread in OD directly asking if anyone has dealt with them is a good idea.