Fascinating train wreck

LouS
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It did make me spit up in my mouth a bit, but here's one of the most interesting fakes to come along in a while

http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-ZEN...212507730?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item258903a652

A ghastly S.58 chronograph

$_3.JPG

It's in one of those bogus Space Compax cases

$_3 (6).JPG

Somehow, they have managed to jam a cal 156 in this case (which we know can take a Valjoux 72). Dial probably came with the movement.

$_3 (5).JPG

Inside caseback looks like nothing Zenith made

$_3 (10).JPG


the most disturbing aspect is that someone clearly has the font for "S.58" for both dial and engraving

$_3.JPG

$_3 (4).JPG


there are small differences, but it's close. I used to trust this engraving when I saw it - I will certianly look carefully when I see it again.
 
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Gavin
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Just the idea of fakers moving on to Zenith is giving me nightmares now.
 
U
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So it's a real Zenith movement, with a redial that was never Zenith, and the rest is completely fake?
 
MMMD
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This is a fascinating confection. It's for the guy who can't decide between a Cairelli and an S.58. The answer used to be the A277 or a DeLuca, but not any more. In Omeganese, this thing is like a Cal 321 Speedmaster Seamaster 300.

3EEAB814-7090-4336-BA04-B8813B9D853B_zpsstbi2dvc.jpg
 
STANDY
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In Omeganese


GOLD ;)
 
U
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MMMD MMMD
This is a fascinating confection. It's for the guy who can't decide between a Cairelli and an S.58. The answer used to be the A277 or a DeLuca, but not any more. In Omeganese, this thing is like a Cal 321 Speedmaster Seamaster 300.


Now I get it. I don't speak Zenican very well so thank your for the translation. :thumbsup:
 
STANDY
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U ulackfocus
Now I get it. I don't speak Zenican very well so thank your for the translation. :thumbsup:


Hear your Longinese is quiet good;)
 
danomar
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The first thing I thought when I saw it was Zenitsmaster Complex. But Lou taught me gooder.

It is indeed disturbing to see so many correct elements on it.
 
m neuman
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Yes strange hands, S.58 logo, wrong movement, weird case, but but but this guy should design watches it is not bad looking!
 
U
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If I spotted that at a yard sale or flea market I'd be very tempted to buy it. Luckily phones got cameras.
 
MMMD
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Well, the crown might be a decent replacement for an early EP, and there's that cal 156 for parts, so not a total loss.
 
LouS
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Geez, this thing is going to top a grand....it's like watching lemmings head for the sea::facepalm2::
 
LarryG
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Lots of rubberneckers out there- 148 it appears; or can there really be that many lemmings....?
Oh the humanity.
 
watchMYwatch
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i was seriously thinking of bidding! Thx !
U know i have mostly modern watches and a Avid collector friend once remarked how difficult it was to collect vintage
 
Fritz
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At my last job I had computer and CMM based measuring systems with the horsepower to digitize an image, part, surface or even a font to create a 3D CAD file. It could then be modified or scaled to any size and downloaded directly to a milling center. It meant I could duplicate any part, surface or engraving exactly, in the metal of your choice, in few hours or less.

With a resolution of 0.000001", it was for reverse engineering high tech machine parts.... give me a part, I'll give you back the 3D models, machining paths and a full set of engineering drawings in a few hours. The technology could easily produce a CNC program to knock-off a watch back, perfectly, by the hundred, inside an hour..... (or a full set of components for an AK47 for that matter). I doubt the factory itself could tell if we used the correct metal.

Took some time to get the legal documents to transport the system out of the US..... wonder why.

Scary part is, with the manufacturer recently being busted for illegally selling the systems across international boarders, (to the middle east! thanks guys!) such technology is far more common than most people realize.....did I mention we had great fun with it during lunch hour! I figure our less than honourable Chinese friends could knock off an Omega Speedmaster case in under a day and be mass producing tomorrow.

So that S.58 font is easy then.........
 
LouS
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When the Swiss companies have choked off the parts supply enough in their arrogant effort to reel in the repair market for extortionate profit, I hope someone with such a machine will spot a business opportunity and let them stew in their own hubris, knowing they created the circumstances for such a thing to arise.
 
LouS
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ended at USD 1525, and it looks like a legitimate buy...probably thinks it was a steal...and it was, but not in the direction that he thinks.
 
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