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Zenith A385 vs A386?

Dan S
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pnwyankee pnwyankee
I don't disagree with anything you just posted, and truth be told, typically I would agree that the vintage example is almost always more desirable. However, one of the things that makes the vintage watches so desirable is they just flat look better than their modern replacements. Looking at the modern Zenith I attached, it looks pretty much identical to it's vintage predecessor, costs less and most likely runs better.

There are lots of these vintage re-issues these days. The manufacturers are capitalizing on the vintage craze. Personally, they leave me cold, but some of them are quite popular.
 
pnwyankee
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TexOmega TexOmega
Always a good debate, I chose this 386A because of the condition...….then condition, then the mesmerizingly 3-dimensional, tri-color subdials.

Did I mention condition? And the uniform colored, intact lume.


19mm lug width.JPG bevels look great.JPG MarkIII.JPG Pre-Falling back.JPG


Mostly because of the condition, though.



The reedition dial appears too flat to me.

This is a very persuasive argument. Beautiful watch
 
moyrules
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Zenith has a lot of awesome vintage references, real grails for Lot of people.

For me, best ElPrimeros are (in this order): A386, A3818, G381, A384, A385, A3817 ...

A386 is the most iconic.

Here is mine:
878CABFF-04BE-4610-8FA2-0A520D9255C2.jpeg


Unfortunately, very difficult to find in good condition (for a reasonable price). Mine has different hands, and I had to find a service ones.

My priority is always the condition. Don’t buy a watch you like with poor condition.
 
jhross98
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Zuke Zuke
And to complicate things even more you have the even more rare A3817 and A3818. Both had a production run of only 1000 examples.

Z1.JPG IMG_4942.JPG

Positively stunning a3817

For me, a3817 and a3818 above all the rest

Never liked the a386 hands they feel cheap to me
 
jhross98
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Thats an incredible A386. Especially since i believe the lume turns dark just from exposure to air.. A problem they fixed in the other models
 
Frederic_gva
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jhross98 jhross98
Positively stunning a3817

For me, a3817 and a3818 above all the rest

Never liked the a386 hands they feel cheap to me


My A3818 says hello !!!
 
thumbnail_20190906_174333_2 (1).jpg
J
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TexOmega TexOmega
Always a good debate, I chose this 386A because of the condition...….then condition, then the mesmerizingly 3-dimensional, tri-color subdials.

Did I mention condition? And the uniform colored, intact lume.

MarkIII.JPG


Mostly because of the condition, though.



The reedition dial appears too flat to me.
that is a gorgeous watch, looks like most of its life was that as the ruling safe queen.
 
_awatchsnob_
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Re-issues are a waste of money imho, while original vintage models are collecting pieces and good investments...
 
moyrules
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_awatchsnob_ _awatchsnob_
Re-issues are a waste of money imho, while original vintage models are collecting pieces and good investments...
Of course it is your opinion. And everyone has one!

I love vintage for lot of reasons, but I love modern watches too. You can use them with more confidence and don’t be scared of broke something
 
R
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_awatchsnob_ _awatchsnob_
Re-issues are a waste of money imho, while original vintage models are collecting pieces and good investments...

How do you feel about the latest A386 Revival with the blue subdials? Is it a re-issue even though it was never commercially produced?
 
Wing Zero
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I am really starting to love the A385.
If anyone has one that’s beat up, shoot me a PM. The more roached out, the better.
 
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