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Tony C.
··Ωf Jury memberSome members know that I have previously called out this well-known California-based dealer several times for serious, and frankly inexcusable misrepresentations of watches. One might have thought that the owner of the company would have been inclined to tighten the ship out of embarrassment, if for no other reason, but judged by this recent addition, that hasn't happened:
https://wannabuyawatch.com/product/zenith-automatic-18k-gold-circa-1958-pristine/
First off, to characterize a watch that has a badly degraded case due to heavy over-polishing as "pristine" is a disgrace. To price it at over treble its fair market value (note also the incorrect crown) obviously adds insult to injury.
Secondly, and it would be hilarious if it weren't so sad, the dial reads automatic, yet in the "additional information" section the movement is listed as "Zenith Chronometre calibre 135", and "manual-wind". That kind of ridiculous error reflects a long-standing and consistent lack of attention to detail on the part of the business, and reflects very poorly on it.
Furthermore, the watch is twice characterized as a "Chronometre", in spite of the fact that there is no such designation on the dial. It is certainly true that the cal. 133.8 bumper movement was capable of attaining chronometre standards, but there is no evidence – at least none that is provided – that this particular watch was certified as such.
Finally, one would think that the trumpeting of a "chronometre" movement might be buttressed by a photo, but alas, for $3,850 the prospective buyer's imagination will apparently have to suffice.
P.S. – I rarely visit the subject dealer's site, and hadn't done so since my last (related) post several weeks ago. In other words, I don't scrutinize his listings hoping to pounce. On the contrary, the owner is so remarkably sloppy that there seems to be low-hanging fruit available to be plucked on a regular basis.
https://wannabuyawatch.com/product/zenith-automatic-18k-gold-circa-1958-pristine/
First off, to characterize a watch that has a badly degraded case due to heavy over-polishing as "pristine" is a disgrace. To price it at over treble its fair market value (note also the incorrect crown) obviously adds insult to injury.
Secondly, and it would be hilarious if it weren't so sad, the dial reads automatic, yet in the "additional information" section the movement is listed as "Zenith Chronometre calibre 135", and "manual-wind". That kind of ridiculous error reflects a long-standing and consistent lack of attention to detail on the part of the business, and reflects very poorly on it.
Furthermore, the watch is twice characterized as a "Chronometre", in spite of the fact that there is no such designation on the dial. It is certainly true that the cal. 133.8 bumper movement was capable of attaining chronometre standards, but there is no evidence – at least none that is provided – that this particular watch was certified as such.
Finally, one would think that the trumpeting of a "chronometre" movement might be buttressed by a photo, but alas, for $3,850 the prospective buyer's imagination will apparently have to suffice.
P.S. – I rarely visit the subject dealer's site, and hadn't done so since my last (related) post several weeks ago. In other words, I don't scrutinize his listings hoping to pounce. On the contrary, the owner is so remarkably sloppy that there seems to be low-hanging fruit available to be plucked on a regular basis.
