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Vintage Zenith A385 different dial variations?

S
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Is there different variations of the vintage A385? The ones I'm aware of are white subdials and silver subdials with the concentric circles. Is there any others? What is a Mark 3 that I've heard mentioned in the forum? Thanks!
 
WoundupLA
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S sicnarf8
Is there different variations of the vintage A385? The ones I'm aware of are white subdials and silver subdials with the concentric circles. Is there any others? What is a Mark 3 that I've heard mentioned in the forum? Thanks!
I’m a fan but not an expert…my understanding is that the vintage A385 was only manufactured in a grey fumé dial that can age to various shades of grey or brown, sometimes a “cappuccino” color and the sub dials were always silver or white.
The “Mark 3” is the revival or modern re-issue that has a dial with a very specific gradient brown going from khaki in the center to dark brown on the perimeter.
The forum may have more details and there are some older threads that discuss it as well. Here is a vintage ad showing the model:

IMG_1315.webp
 
S
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Hijak Hijak
This thread needs more pictures!
1776301929712.webp
And rightfully so! 😎 your example is one of the best ones I've seen. Beautifully aged patina on the lume and pristine case. Has it been refinished or relumed or is it all original?
 
YYTIN
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Hijak Hijak
This thread needs more pictures!
1776301929712.webp
I know it’ s a long shot but DIBS please ;-)
 
S
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WoundupLA WoundupLA
I read that post. Not sure what it refers to. To my knowledge, only the original Zenith A386 has three production versions, now referred to as mark 1-3.

https://alphahands.com/vintage-watch-research/zenith-a386-el-primero/

Maybe message wristpirate - he’s quite knowledgeable (aka tortoise watches).
Curious if you find any more info, please post so we can learn more. Thanks.

No response from wristpirate unfortunately but I did reach out to barbecoa who started that thread which mentioned the mark 3 dial. His response, "Hey. It's more or less the production run, and has to do with the case back. The A386 was the first commercially released automatic chronograph, there are three different types of the A386. The first - Mark I case numbers 538dxxx to 539dxxx - have a plain case back and no groove on the lugs. Mark II case numbers 706dxxx to 708dxxx have a plain case back and a groove on the lugs. Finally, Mark III with case numbers 861dxxx to 233Exxx have a four pointed star on the case back and a groove on the lugs."

When I later clarified if this was also the same as A385 (not A386 as he had mentioned in his message), he said that yes, he was almost certain that it was.
 
WoundupLA
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Good to know. I don’t think it has much impact on the price or value of the watches - different than Rolex for example where these small variations can impact price. Also these El Primeros were produced in limited numbers, so there is not as much circulation of them on the used market so the prices seem to be relatively stable.
 
WoundupLA
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Here is one for auction on Ebay:
https://ebay.us/m/H1MujR
Not the best example. The case appears to be heavily repolished, the subdials don’t look great, the second hand is repainted and relumed and the much of the lume on the dial appears to have fallen out. That said, it may go for a reasonable price and be fun to wear.
IMG_1335.webp IMG_1336.webp IMG_1337.webp
 
S
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WoundupLA WoundupLA
Here is one for auction on Ebay:
https://ebay.us/m/H1MujR
Not the best example. The case appears to be heavily repolished, the subdials don’t look great, the second hand is repainted and relumed and the much of the lume on the dial appears to have fallen out. That said, it may go for a reasonable price and be fun to wear.
IMG_1335.webp IMG_1336.webp IMG_1337.webp
Thanks, I've had this on my watch list just to see what it would end up at. What makes you so certain that the case has been repolished? The bevels and sunburst brushing looks correct to my eye? Just that it looks almost too good to be unpolished given the age. What's the give away for the red chrono seconds hand being repainted? Also, I've noticed that the red chrono hand it is shorter than on other examples I've seen. I've wondered if it was an aftermarket or possibly a service one.
 
WoundupLA
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The case doesn’t have a ding on it - too perfect for a watch 50+ years old. Especially around the edges, sides… but that’s a personal preference - some like watches polished looking new. The second hand lume is too white. You can replace if you want… many will have opinions but go for what you like.
 
Dan S
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S sicnarf8
Thanks, I've had this on my watch list just to see what it would end up at. What makes you so certain that the case has been repolished? The bevels and sunburst brushing looks correct to my eye? Just that it looks almost too good to be unpolished given the age. What's the give away for the red chrono seconds hand being repainted? Also, I've noticed that the red chrono hand it is shorter than on other examples I've seen. I've wondered if it was an aftermarket or possibly a service one.
The back is completely polished into oblivion but the front is refinished. Not too badly.
 
S
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Yeah the caseback is more obvious that it has been polished with the serial number nearly completely gone.
 
S
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WoundupLA WoundupLA
It’s back up for auction, didn’t hit a reserve last time - the bidding was around $3k.
https://ebay.us/m/H1MujR
Finished at $5100 which is a bit higher than I'd have thought given some of the cosmetic issues and that it would need a service as it didn't reset to zero properly.
 
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