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Thoughts on this Zenith A277

deki1908
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Hi guys, is there anything wrong with this A277? The bezel seems to belong to the series 2.
Anything else to be aware of? Unfortunately, I am just porting these few pictures as the ones the vendor sent me are crap. They are all out of focus.
I am going to ask for more.

Thanks for your help
 
preacher
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Hi deki, photos are terrible....
The watch looks correct and beatiful to me, I think maybe unpolished, crown should be correct, bracelet should be GF 20mm (ok).
Conditions makes me think private seller and maybe first owner. Could be a great catch if the price is right.
Ask better photos and please share them with us
 
deki1908
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Hi preacher, thanks!

I have asked for some more images, the gentleman is not very easy to talk to. He sent me 10 pictures, 8 of which all out of focus. I have asked for more images and hopefully I should receive some decent ones today and post them.

The price is 6.5K USD.
 
deki1908
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The vendor has sent me these images. Still waiting for some case pictures, unfortunately he is unable to send me a picture of the movement. He said the watch has been serviced this year.

I think it has been re-lumed, the bezel looks to belong to a series 2. Anything else needs pointing out?

This watch has always been a grail of mine and I have been on the hunt for some time now. I have been looking for an original and great piece and I would like to keep it for many many years to come.

thanks for your help!
 
preacher
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I also think it was relumed but the dial looks great to me. I would ask a photo of the crown. Verify if the bracelet is 20mm and if it has the diver extention. Ask a video with Chrono in action. I have some doubt on a recent service, a watchmaker would have removed the scratches on the glass, scratches on the glass should be easily removable but if not you will have to look for a new glass and it could be expansive. I would polish the bracelet, not the case.
If private seller, with no photos of the movement, with no warranty and no document of a recent service ask a good discount
 
wristpirate
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The photos are poor. Lume does look very yellow. Odd the crystal scuffs we’re not buffed our during service. The subdials look very clean, I’d bet that the rest of the dial is clean too and the marks are all on the crystal. The asking price sounds competitive to me.
 
deki1908
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I am still waiting for more pictures of case, crown and hopefully better ones for dial.

The vendor has told me that he purchased the watch in Switzerland and he is the first owner.
I am going to ask him why the bezel is a replacement one and the scratches were not polished off during the last service.

He also states that the watch has not been re-lumed.

I always thought, that I would have never bothered buying such a valuable watch from a person who is unreliable with his answers and pictures.

This though is tempting me as it is within my budget and the conditions seem to be okay, although finding the right bezel is going to be impossible.
Edited:
 
86978B7B-EBC6-46B4-B528-1FCB47BA53FF.jpeg F62CE2E0-284F-4408-A33D-3563CF63D8B2.png DF558FC5-A5E8-4CA5-9383-AEEAB87CD339.jpeg
preacher
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Be brave, my best caughts were with private sellers. Why do you think the bezel is a replacement?
 
deki1908
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Surprisingly he found the re-haul invoice and sent me a picture, although the watch repairer shop has now closed for business 😕

The chrono works fine and the crown is the original one, the bezel belongs to an MK2, although it has a lovely patina to it.

My best purchases have been from private sellers!👍
 
crown.jpg
Bakertime
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preacher preacher
Be brave, my best caughts were with private sellers. Why do you think the bezel is a replacement?
Because the longer hash marks between 0 and 15 were seen on Mk2 variant A277’s with gold colored subdial hands. This variant had hash marks that were the same size as the rest of the bezel.

regardless this is a very nice example. Best of luck @deki1908 !
 
preacher
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In my opinion also crown is mk2, I don’t think it’s a service bezel. I think it’s a mk2 watch, maybe the subdials hands and the second hand were replaced during a service, but in zenith vintage word all is possible, also that the watch was born like this.
Good luck
 
Bakertime
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preacher preacher
In my opinion also crown is mk2, I don’t think it’s a service bezel. I think it’s a mk2 watch, maybe the subdials hands and the second hand were replaced during a service, but in zenith vintage word all is possible, also that the watch was born like this.
Good luck
I agree there is a chance the watch could have been born like this.
 
chronoboy64
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Hi, it seems to be a honest A277 mk2 for a reasonable price. IMO it should have the paddle sweep second hand and the tritium pip of the bezel is missing. My mk2 also has black subdial hands and is complete original IMHO.
Best luck
 
deki1908
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Thank you all!

I also starting thinking that this is a MK2 with MK1 replaced hands.
Is there anyway to find out if this is an MK1 with MK2 crown and bezel or an MK2 with an MK1 sweep second hand and sub-dial hands?

I am uncertain on this one. Normally I would buy a watch that is 100% original or that at least I think it is.
However I have been on the lookout for this model for some time and despite the terrible pictures I find the conditions to be overall good and it has the bracelet which is a nice addition.

The price is 5K and there is no way of negotiating, but it is still one of cheapest I have found.

I am going to sleep on it!
 
moyrules
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Despite the things that does not match (bezel, hands), it seems to be a honest watch, good enough, with a reasonable price.
 
Momoleskine
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The only way to know if it's a Mk I or II is to see the movement : 146 for the Mk I and 146HP for the Mk II.
May I refer to my modest article about it ?
The bezel and crown are from a Mk II for sure but we cannot exclude that there were transitionnal ones as there are many examples with mixed mixed parts on the market.
To m, at such price, with the ladder bracelet, there is no question !
 
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