Probably at least $6k. These seem to have followed the A386 price trajectory over the past couple of years. Yes, the back is polished, but it's an issued piece with a clear engraving.
Cairellis might have even bumped before the A 386 - certainly one of the more coveted models, at the intersection of focuses of military and Zenith collectors, and dear to the voracious Italian vintage watch market because of the national association. A review of asking prices on eBay BINs shows the lowest to be around $7800. Now, these are pieces that haven't sold, so that's your ceiling, and I think MMMD has called the bottom - certainly I would snap up any I saw below $6000.
The lowest price on Chrono24 is about $6,700 but it looks like it's in rougher shape than this one. I find the prices on there tend to be near the high end.
Found my issued Cairelli buried beneath a whole lot of Rolexes on an Italian dealer's site in September 2012 for €3500... probably the only time a decent Zenith piece has made its way past Gavin to me at a decent price.
The thing about the civilian ones is that they're sometimes pretty minty. The issued ones have always taken some hits in a cockpit.
Probably so... Gavin says he's been watching Cairellis for two years, but I think he was a non-combatant Zenith observer back in 2012.
I've been trying to decoy him with Enicars and Roamers and such, but he's not biting... though maybe, just maybe, he's in a learning period with something else. We can hope, can't we?
Yeah, well he's been encroaching on my Longines turf too. So far we haven't bumped heads - or should I say wallets - because we try to keep each other in the loop on the good pieces. One just ended today that I hope another member got and I included him in the conversation.
Purely an observer before that. The Zenith draft came to me only in Jan 2013 in the form of the A386. I am watching and learning them. Waiting for the right time to jump in. I am glad that someone can help keep my wallet intact. And hope that member gets it, which he should.
No, he just commented in our discussion. Look at the bid history - it's horrendous, but you'll see it in the conversation.
In my humble opinion. There are too many minty Cairellis out there. I have hardly seen a used or bad condition one in 7-8 years!!!
Hi, look at my issued one, not really minty although in great shape. Really loved the faded bezel at first sight. The reason why there are so many minty ones is that many have been assigned to officers who flew a desk or simply sold to other high rank civil servants in Rome. Only 2500 pcs circa have been really issued and assigned to pilots
I have seen many "used" (in really bad shape // wrong crown and hands) Cairrelis in Europa. I think it's more difficult to find one in a good/perfect shape (NOS). At the moment it has one at ebay: http://www.ebay.ch/itm/Italian-Mili...729340271?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item3a9c3ce76fPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network