The El Primero 3019 I was looking at on eBay was pulled back by the seller due to an error in the listing, so I continue my search for an affordable vintage El Primero.
Found another one that sure looks great, from the right timeframe for me ( 1960's ) at what looks to be a good price point
Because I would rather keep looking than talk myself into a "deal" that really isn't - I'm hoping some of the members from Planet Zenith will give me their input on this one......
Is this a desirable reference?
Is the 1960's dating accurate?
Price seem about right?
Any concerns that I might easily be missing ( that's the reason for this post )
Thanks.

PS I asked the seller's permission to post this here

Seller's description:
1. Watch was bought in 2015, serviced in 2016. Running very strong even though accuracy is not tested, chronograph functions perfectly, quick-date setting works perfectly.
2. All original: dial, hands, lume, pushers & crown, with original bracelet & endlinks. Bracelet is short, fit a 17cm wrist.
3. Case is very sharp, unpolished, with some thin scratch on body, bezel & crystal.
4. Dial is really lovely with thin linen texture on the dial, and circular finishing on the sub-dials. This finishing is quite hard to photograph (some photos are taken with sharp macro lens to show the dial finishing, so the scratches on crystal looks more defined than in real life, in fact, the dial is perfect WITHOUT SCRATCHES). 6 o'clock sub-dial is smaller than the other 2 sub-dials, which is very lovely.
5. My price is $2400 shipped worldwide via DHL Express.

Photos.....

 

I think the watch is all correct, i think you also have to spend some money to upgrade it: remove scratches on the glass if possible, I would polish the case, pay attention that if your wrist is over 17 mm is very difficoult to find other links.
Look also for A787, One of the first EP in my opinion beatiful and very undervalued, price shoulden’t be far.
Don’t be hurry, wait the right piece and buy only when you fall in love

 

The watch looks legit but this model (010-0210-415) was sold in the early to mid-70's. This particular model is not very expensive, compared to the classic ones from the late 60's, which is the reason that I bought the one pictured below. Mine has the 31 jewel movement, which is preferable, in my opinion. The case on the one you are looking at has probably been polished but it probably doesn't affect the value a whole lot, in the way that it would with a A386. If you are mainly interested in having one of the original 3019's, this is an economical point of entry, however the coloured dials found on most of the other references from this time period were distinctly zenith in design where these chunky C case ones are pretty non-descript. I like mine but it sits quite high due to the case design and some people do not like this. The El Primero was a very slim movement, so the thick case kind of defeats the purpose.

 

Here is one with a 31 jewel movement. I can't speak for the buyer.

https://www.chrono24.ca/zenith/el-primero-ref-01-0210-415--id9437458.htm

 

Another. https://www.chrono24.ca/zenith/el-primero--id10023371.htm

 

What do you think of this A787 from chrono24?
Thanks

Whoops, forgot the links, there are two that look nice:
https://www.chrono24.com/zenith/el-primero-a787--id9955320.htm
https://www.chrono24.com/zenith/el-primero-1970s-chronograph-ref-a787--id8374983.htm

 

Very good reference thread here: https://forums.watchuseek.com/f27/o...tainless-steel-models-1969-1975-a-586997.html

 

Great resource Dan, thank you.

 

17mm bracelet???

 

I love me some Zenith but i wish I understood the whole El Primero thing as to why some are better loved than others. Give me a Cal 71 or 133.8 any day.

 

The second One (from Italy) looks better to me. If you find his bracelet it would be the top

 

I believe these were never issued on a metal bracelet. So don't be swayed too much by the bracelet.

 

These are lovely and the red chrono second hand with the rectangle lume is a classic Zenith design queue. Ditto on the bracelets as there are lots of cheap aftermarket zenith branded stainless bracelets that were never sold with Zenith watches from the 60's and 70's. The one at the top of this post falls into that class. They are not worth much but you see lots of them with the watches advertised online. The Gay Freres cost a fortune for a reason. The NSA are considerably cheaper but these as well were legit Zenith branded bracelets from back in the day.

 

I think the same:
https://www.chrono24.it/zenith/cint...ster-bracelet-tutti-7080-rare--id10309064.htm
More difficoult could be find good endlinks.

The result should be like this: