Never seen before, Think it’s a franken

 

I've been researching these a bit, out of interest. My personal belief is that the correct hands are silver arrow style as seen on the vast majority of examples and in the catalog as @LouS points out.

The hour & minute straight hands on the "CollectedMan" example seem very close to straight hands Zenith used on other models and also look close to Rolex Daytona style hands . In the example shown, they also have different lume colors between them, and the hour hand seems newer. I suspect they were replaced at some point. I cannot seem to find another A3630 example with this particular style aside form the only one referenced throughout this thread. I did see one other, but hands were clearly incorrect, with minute hand being painted and style not consistent with this example.

https://www.acollectedman.com/products/buy-zenith-a3630-vintage-divers-watch?variant=34516434307

The black arrow style hands may have been service replacements, or Zenith using existing stock of parts (i.e. the black A3637 1000M hands on the A3630). Would be interesting to see if these are all seen on only later production pieces, or if they are seen across the various 1968-1972 time-frame. (cal. 2542 to cal. 2552). Seems some later examples also have circle crowns with black hands. Few examples I've seen with black hands all have cal. 2552. Perhaps its plausible that these hands (and the circle crowns) were replaced during a service in the past or the parts available were simply being used-up as most of the watches used the same movement(s).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Zenith-Diver-Hand-set-a3630-1000m-automatic-2542pc-2552pc/143381826559?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

These are gorgeous pieces, and don't seem to come-up often. Congrats to those who have found the lovely examples posted here.

 

GIGI

 

The A3630 shown be A Collected Man has beatiful case and stuning dial. but it is all uncorrect:
- bracelet is a Gay Freres 18mm instead 20mm with diver extension
- crown is wrong, it needs z inside star crown
- movement is 2572 that was created lots of years later
- hands are wrong

Even if it is a beatiful watch it can’t be considered a benchmark

 

Hour and Minute hands on the CollectedMan example seem to match those originally on cal. 2572 watches. A few examples from Google Images below.

 

Also from 1968 with S/N 216DXXX. Cal. 2542 PC and GF bracelet dated 1968.

 

I think I know the seller, a very great guy!
Beatiful piece, top conditions, congrats!!

 

Thank you. I am more than pleased. The seller; Pietro from Cà Venezze is outstanding if that is who you were thinking. Highly recommended.

 

Pietro is a great seller but also has a big expertise on zenith world!

 

I know the seller. He has a good reputation. The watch overall is a nice piece and in good condition (difficult to find with these). As far as things to consider, please be aware this is my opinion only. Hands (black vs. silver) & Crown are likely service replacements OR possibly used in late years of production. Hands have been re-lumed. I think the A3630 was introduced in 1969 and ran thru 1972. Lume pip is missing (can be replaced). In 1969 these had, A2542 PC movement. So a A2552 PC ('69-'72) also common or a A2562 PC ('72 - '75) could have been used in '72. Bracelet end pieces (ZE) are correct, but bracelet itself is for a A3635.

 

Excellent watch for the value in my opinion ... Yesterday I was writing an email to the seller, very interested to buying it, when I saw it was not available ... shit!! I am drinking a lot of alcohol since then

 

wondering if the hour markers on the dial look right (shouldn't they be two tone?), and also the second hand (should be pinkish?). I don't have a photo of the crown or the movement yet (and it always makes me worry when there isn't one). And how hard would it be to replace that missing marker at 12 o'clock? Anything else obvious.

 

Hour markers are fine. The lume in them may show more in a better picture, or a daylight shot. This looks like it was taken under a bad fluorescent bulb. Hands are fine and original. They may have been relumed, but are accurate to the piece. Some do have a orang(ish) hue to the sweep seconds hand, but not all. Generally speaking looks like a nice example. I would get more pics (back, movement, inside case back and crown) before pulling the trigger.