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Updated values for zenith a384/385/386/3817/3818

chronoboy64
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TOMMIG21 TOMMIG21
Bought this stunning A384 last week, with tropical subdials that turn caramel in the sun, and with original paper with matching serial number and 2017 Zenith service.
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Couldn't love it more...

I hope these early el primero references will get the attention they deserve both for their historical importance and for their beauty!

Great example, huge congrats and wear in good health 👍
Can you please tell the ca. purchase price, because this thread is value related, thanks
 
TOMMIG21
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Thank you!

7.5k. I was happy to pay some premium vs market price given overall condition and considering it came with signed original papers with matching serial number, name of the dealer and of the original owner, plus the 2017 Zenith service certification.

T
 
krh7
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nice to see Zenith didn't screw it up during the service.
 
barbecoa
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TOMMIG21 TOMMIG21
Thank you!

7.5k. I was happy to pay some premium vs market price given overall condition and considering it came with signed original papers with matching serial number, name of the dealer and of the original owner, plus the 2017 Zenith service certification.

T
Hi Tommig21, what would you say is market price for a very good condition A384? You got one in outstanding condition with papers, original GF bracelet, etc. It's hard enough finding one so well preserved, and it doesn't seem like you paid a large premium.
Also, do you think it's been polished?
Thanks!
 
TexOmega
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barbecoa barbecoa
Hello, I'm new to this forum but have been reading about and researching vintage El Primeros for a few weeks. This forum is a treasure trove of information!
Right now I'm just researching and researching to make sure I'm ready to pounce when I see something I like. I think right now I'm looking more for an A385 vs an A386 or A384. I like the brown dial for some reason.
With that being said, do these still really exist?
This seller (in Malaysia) on Chrono24 claims he's got an original A386 with box and papers, and original GF ladder bracelet. Link here.
All the hands look good, as well as the dial and tachy ring.

-Is this thing real and do similar ones come up for sale every once in a while.
-Is this what an A386 is going for nowadays (USD 22,500)? It's like 4x-6x that of an A385.

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Very harsh lighting did this watch no favors.

Don't do this!
 
TOMMIG21
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barbecoa barbecoa
Hi Tommig21, what would you say is market price for a very good condition A384? You got one in outstanding condition with papers, original GF bracelet, etc. It's hard enough finding one so well preserved, and it doesn't seem like you paid a large premium.
Also, do you think it's been polished?
Thanks!

I think around 6.5k used to be a good price for a piece in nice condition without papers, but prices are moving higher (there is a nice example for sale by shucktheoyster, unpolished, nice dial but without the GF bracelet for 7.5k https://www.shucktheoyster.com/zenith-el-primero-a384-panda-vintage-chronograph/) probably around 7k (Zenith recently announced the re-issue of the A384 in steel for the 50th Anniversary of El Primero priced at €7.8k, and prices might adjust around that level or higher in the foreseeable future).

As per your last question the case is unpolished (the dealer bought few months ago from the son of the original owner and did not touch it).

Be careful because there are plenty of badly polished examples.
 
barbecoa
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Thanks, Tommig21. That's very helpful. - I also didn't realize you were talking euros and thought you were giving figures in USD.

Congrats again on a great find. It's a beauty and even cooler that you got it from the original owner!
 
Tbone
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Question:why do you think the A277 isn't amongst the list of 5 amazing Zeniths? (and why not six amazing Zeniths?)

I'll add a photo to make it a more interesting question...
20190109_144633.jpg
 
wristpirate
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I personally think the El Primeros are creeping away from the rest of the Zenith bunch. If you collect Rolex everyone talks about Zenith Daytona. Those collectors are only interested in El Primeros as that’s what they see as the derivative. Any manual winds are not interesting enough. I love my El Primeros and think they are crazy undervalued.

It’s like Omega and the Speedmasters where they have become a sub category of collecting
 
chronoboy64
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This Thread is about the „big early El Primero Models“ in general. The A277 is a great reference and very collectable IMHO. But it is a handwinder.
Best luck !

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preacher
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Tbone Tbone
Question:why do you think the A277 isn't amongst the list of 5 amazing Zeniths? (and why not six amazing Zeniths?)

I'll add a photo to make it a more interesting question...
20190109_144633.jpg
First of all a277 is fantastic.
I’m not agree with you, A277 is expensive like or more than A384/A385.
I don’t know the list of best 5 Zenith, but I would like to have A277.
Some zenith are relatively unknown but the price are expensive, for e amplie A3736 is a chrono manualwinding less known than early el primero but it costs like A386.
I think early El primeros are more underrated, don’t know why
 
Syrte
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LouS LouS
LSD has gotten into the Geneva municipal water supply again
Seems like it's in the Cool Aid they serve at Phillips auctions.
 
asrnj77
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preacher preacher
Wow!

I saw that. There is an A385 on a bracelet for sale on Chrono24 for $5900. That’s like buying the bracelet and getting the watch as a bonus for $3900 if you follow the eBay methodology.
 
preacher
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For me the lesson is not to buy an incomplete watch or with non-original parts, it would be too expensive to restore it
 
Frederic_gva
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Price may not decrease.... and GF bracelet re issue is coming soon, so vintage bracelet will keep their value IMO
 
ANALOGUE
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preacher preacher
It looks like something is moving higher...
Have allways thought that tropic A384 have been undervalued. However C24 is not the best place to get a fair value
 
jhross98
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ANALOGUE ANALOGUE
Have allways thought that tropic A384 have been undervalued. However C24 is not the best place to get a fair value

agree with both these sentiments. . i think the philips crazy auction result for a NOS a384 has definitely moved prices up but nowhere near as much as the asking prices indicate
 
wristpirate
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preacher preacher
It looks like something is moving higher...
Yes the asking prices. Not the best indicator for sales prices unfortunately.
 
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