I wanted to share a project I have been working on around the Zenith A386 (mods: I hope this is OK to post, if not of course feel free to delete!) around price trends and case numbers, as well as model details.
I am not an A386 expert, just someone who is really interes....er, obsessed with this watch.
I would love whatever feedback you have - case numbers, specs, details of the components, etc...please reach out to me anytime via PM.

My case number project includes information for every Zenith A386 I have seen on the web (no lie..don't ask how long it took!), and is categorized by case number plus traits of the watch, including dial type, caseback, main hands, bracelet, bracelet date, etc., with the ability to search, sort and filter the information.

I have also developed a Zenith A386 price trends chart. The data is mostly asking prices, of course, as private sale prices are unknown. You can filter the chart to select auctions only, however, which will show known sale prices from eBay and auction houses.

Lots of other information included comes from the community here (big thanks to LouS of course, BGBG, and everyone else), GTGs, and so on – I really appreciate everyone's help in assembling.
If you are willing to include A386 information you have (for your watch or otherwise) to help me as I keep building my project, please feel free to reach out.

Still to come are more A386 case numbers from other sources, analysis around the case number data and watch specs, and a couple more detail sections (hands, movement)...but even in advance of those, hopefully the page will help people learn more about the Zenith A386 and buy smart!

Oh, and who knew that 4,500 Zenith A386s were produced? Not me! Thanks to Rossler (2014).

http://alphahands.com/vintage-watch-research/zenith-a386-el-primero/

Regards,
Norm

 

wow ! That is great and very timeconsuming work as far as I can see.

 

Thanks! I'm trying to "pay it forward" for all the help the community has given me.... Hopefully there are some nuggets in there that help others in their hunt.

 

Well done, Norm! Hopefully someday your research will help me find the right one. ☺️

 

Our moderator, Bill, has information for your paragraph on original crowns.


https://omegaforums.net/threads/first-new-photos-in-10-plus-years-a386.68658/page-2#post-870146

 

I still think this information hasn’t got enough backings vs. the prevailing norm.

 

Thanks @ELV web
You are referring to Bill's post re: prevailing norm, correct?

 

Yep, great effort from you on the whole documentation btw.

 

Well done, thanks for sharing

 

Holy moly, you’ve done an amazing job. Thanks very much for this great resource. As soon as I get mine back from service, I’ll send over the details...

 

Great source and I thank you for your efforts

 

Nicely done

 

Fantastic work. Thanx @subregister for the effort. I wanted to do this myself two years ago, but got distracted and lost stamina....
It's really a difference intending to do such a work or really doing it..... Congratulations!

 

Thanks all, much appreciated!
Let me know if there is any other info you would like to see added. I am going to keep revving the case project (and prices) at least monthly.

 

Great work 10/10

 

great work !!
Another theory says only 2500 were made...

 

Thank you for your work, very interesting!

 

Very very good work. One thing that I see missing and that I think would be very interesting to add for completeness is regarding the main hour and minute hands.
Hour and minute hands on MKI are slightly different to later MKII or MKIII iterations.
Specifically, in MKI H and M hands the white plastic "structure" of the hands that contains the lume and the black tip is thinner compared to later executions H and M hands. Moreover, and more noticeable, the white spacing between the black tip and the lume part of the hands is much thinner in MKI hands compared to later ones. I found this is pretty much always the case for all correct MKIs.
I believe that in the rare cases where you see a MKI with original and correct hands for a MKII or MKIII (thicker white structure and thicker white spacing between black tip and lume portion) this is probably the result of original service hands replaced to the watch.

 

+1
but again fantastic work you make