Zenith Captain De Luxe Cal. 2542PC: Fake or Real?

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Risto

·Jan 5, 2026

For some reason, I stumbled upon this Zenith Captain on Google images, and it ignited a small fire in me - I need to know more about it.
I like the case style. It is a gold-plated case. But, looks so good. I have never seen Captain in this case, though.
So, have you guys seen this before?
Images are low resolution, so can't really see what's going on.

I think it's a "re-cased" watch.

https://e-v-w.com/products/60-years...atic-captain-de-luxe-cal-2542pc-vintage-1960s

 

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Tony C.

·Jan 5, 2026·Ωf Jury member

I would say fake; incorrect case. And why would Zenith produce a "De Luxe" model of any sort in a gold-capped or filled case?

 

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Risto

·Jan 5, 2026

And I just found one on Etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4389094511/zenith-captain-de-luxe-chronometer

 

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Risto

·Jan 5, 2026

Tony C.

I would say fake; incorrect case. And why would Zenith produce a "De Luxe" model of any sort in a gold-capped or filled case?

Yeah. Btw, there are Autosport "luxe" watches that are gold-plated.
https://1010.watch/zenith-autosport-luxe.html

 

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Tony C.

·Jan 5, 2026·Ωf Jury member

I remain skeptical.

"Gold filled bezel" ?

Dicey looking serial number?

The AutoSport Luxe was never in the class of the Captain models.

I wouldn't personally be interested even if it were genuine, given how arguably inferior it is in quality to the typical Captain De Luxe models.

 

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CaptainWinsor

·Jan 6, 2026

Dicey looking serial number?

Dicey is very mild. Fraudulent

 

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Risto

·Jan 6, 2026

Yeah. But, it was an interesting idea. I will get the classic Captain de luxe cal 71 this year (manifesting 😀)