Zenith A3630 & Zenith divers at large

sailor

Nope, definitely black hands. Like the best eureka moments, discovered this black hand variation after bringing one home 😉

Above example was taken from chrono24
https://www.chrono24.com/zenith/diver-a3630--id5951127.htm

Some other divers of the era also have the black broad arrow hands, A3646, black dial A3648 etc. Lends to the theory these would be a correct variation on the A3630.

Angled the phone to try and show the black hands best as possible.

Tony C.

I'm not trying to be a wet blanket, but one or two examples are not remotely compelling enough to confirm that such styles were factory original.

divetime

I m a big fan of this quite rare and unknown watch and would like to share the information I have on my watch which has the original GF ladder bracelet.
ZENITH STAINLESS STEEL DIVERS’ MODEL, FROM 1968

• Ref. AH 3630
• Serial number: much probably 216D XXX
• Would then belong to the AH 3630’s first production run, which first units were to be delivered for the 1968 Baselfair (in april 1968); this first production run in its whole was delivered between april and august 2018
• This divers’ model furthermore:
  • was fitted here with Zenith Caliber 2542 PC (automatic, with calendar)
  • is waterproof to 120 m, with a screwed-in back, a turning bezel, and luminescent hands and indexes (covered with tritium ‘with strong luminance’, contrasting against the dark dial)
  • appeared notably within Zenith Catalogue from 1969-1970, next to some other divers’ models, among which the famous divers’ version of the Defy (please see the illustration attached to this message, which should be labelled with ‘ZENITH HERITAGE’ as a source next to the picture, if used)
• 

MaiLollo

Buongiorno to everybody,

Whilst I was doing a bit of research prior to picking up this superbly patinaed example of an A3630, I noticed that info is not really available.

I've looked around a bit, and what I've understood is that the piece is very rare because, back in the day, Zenith wished to maintain its high-quality standard and refused to create "cheaper" skin divers. Zenith being Zenith, (not the first choice as far as divers are concerned) this piece didn't sell well, like most of the brand's diving timepieces...

The watch is totally in-house, has a 2542PC movement (an automatic caliber with a non quick set date).
Size wise, the watch is a perfect 38mm, has a very slender & elegant profile, basically is at home with a suit (not a diving one though 😀 ). The dial has a really nice texture and a simple layout, the date is between 4 and 5 (classic Zenith), the inner minute track is in a contrasting color. Over the years, two types of hands have surfaced on these watches, the ones on my watch being the most elegant and less diver-esque of the two.

I wasn't planning on buying an A3630, but when I saw it for sale I couldn't resist. The watch has an all-round incredible patina, from the yellowish minute track to the superbly ghosted bezel, looks unpolished and works like a charm (for now). You really feel it wasn't designed for hardcore diving when you realize the bezel turns in both directions...

Anyway, I just wanted to post a quick "review" of my latest crush, and create a bit of awereness for a model that remains obscure. But, most of all, I'd like to know if anyone has had/owns one of these beasts? What are your impressions ?

Cheers!

sliceoftime_

Lovely watch, the A3630 is certainly a great diver contender.


That's simply gorgeous! Dibs please bud!

wristpirate

Nope, definitely black hands. Like the best eureka moments, discovered this black hand variation after bringing one home 😉

Above example was taken from chrono24
https://www.chrono24.com/zenith/diver-a3630--id5951127.htm

Some other divers of the era also have the black broad arrow hands, A3646, black dial A3648 etc. Lends to the theory these would be a correct variation on the A3630.

Angled the phone to try and show the black hands best as possible.