Lightning Strikes Five Times - Gold El Primero - G-381

LouS
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That's a substantial percentage of the total production of the G 381 currently on sale. Fascinating the way these things work. Nothing for a year, then four or five at once.
 
Stewart H
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dxbzenith dxbzenith
The one LouS highlighted in an earlier thread is also still for sale

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280995460995?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
same watch slightly cheaper (if that's the correct wording ??)

http://www.chrono24.com/en/zenith/el-primero-ref-g381--id2142783.htm?query=381 zenith&suchen=Search&dosearch=true&searchexplain=true&resultview=list&dosearch=true&urlSubpath=/search/index.htm

I would love to hear the forum's opinion which one to go after out of all of these!
€10,000 AND he wants the buyer to pick up the Paypal fees. He's having a laugh.

I thought this one was bad enough with its faded dial:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ZENITH-18...es_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item2a28712830

Not sure if he's Photoshopped out the case number or just polished away the numbers and left the "D" (I suspect the former)
 
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LouS
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Here's the roundup as of this writing, in order of expiration

1. Private seller BIN in Bologna, ends 25 January, ask EUR 6500 (USD 8670)
Bologna.jpg

http://www.ebay.it/itm/Orologio-Zen...lso&_uhb=1&hash=item2579c3cbc7#ht_2814wt_1378

2. Antiquorum auction, Hong Kong, ends 26 January, est USD 2000-3100
24.jpg


3. Private seller auction, Kansas, ends 27 January, currently at USD 4100
Kansas.jpg

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261158661295

4. Private seller BIN, Yorkshire, ends 20 February, ask GBP 5950 (USD 9430)
Yorkshire.jpg

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ZENITH-18...es_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item2a28712830

5. Dealer (Fabrizio Caso), no expiry, ask EUR 10000 (USD 13340)
Caso.jpg

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280995460995?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

My take:
Quality: from best down: 5-1-3-2-4. You can invert 2 & 4 if the faded subdials don't bug you, but they both seem pretty polished examples with significant loss of definition. No. 3 - Kansas - is a bit of a wild card because of poor photography.

Cost: I find 1,4 & 5 simply overpriced. I might - just might - pay the price asked for #1 - USD 8670 - for Mr. Caso's watch if I came upon it in a moment when I was feeling particularly good about the world.

Conclusion: Kansas (#3) is a cautious buy, depending on the final price. Antiquorum isn't worth it to me because of condition, but if you've got a good case man, you might want to lowball it. The rest can stay where they are.

Other opinions?

For a watch reference with a total production of 700 examples, for 5 to be on public sale at any one time is pretty remarkable. Even more remarkable - and easy to overlook in the crowded field - is that all of these are correct, with none of the little substitutions or omissions that litter the Primero market - hands, bezels, etc. Heck even the crowns are right (one service replacement). I think you'd be hard pressed to put together a consecutive string of 5 Primeros of any reference that hadn't been tampered with.

Anyway, it's going to be an interesting weekend.
 
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U
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I can explain why this is happening - it's watch season!!!

This is one of 2 or 3 references I'd eventually want to add, but the coffers need to be stuffed before hunting game of this size. This is a great thread.
 
shaun hk
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i saw the HK one yesterday and mentioned that i thought their estimations for this and some other items were low, but they didn't seem inclined to comment other than agree with me. unfortunately I don't have the funds to make a serious bid for it...
 
Rdl81
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Hard to justify the prices being asked for these given the record of previous sales
 
shaun hk
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The Hong Kong Antiquorum one has just sold at online to a US based buyer for HK$34,000 works out to about US$5,400 when you add in the 25% buyers premium, anyone from here by any chance?
 
LouS
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MSNWatch
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It appears vintage zeniths are following the same path as vintage omegas - price appreciation that outstrips inflation by a considerable margin.
 
LouS
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MSNWatch MSNWatch
It appears vintage zeniths are following the same path as vintage omegas - price appreciation that outstrips inflation by a considerable margin.

Primeros anyway. Primeros and cal 135s lead the pack. I don't think the broader Zenith catalog has gained traction yet....
 
U
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LouS LouS
Primeros anyway. Primeros and cal 135s lead the pack. I don't think the broader Zenith catalog has gained traction yet....

Sort of the same with Omega - the top quality watches are appreciating much more rapidly than the run of the mill models.
 
MMMD
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Gavin Gavin
So I believe I should send you my congrats.:thumbsup:

Thanks. I hate to be part of the problem of Zenith inflation - much rather pull off a coup like your A386 - but I did get gouged all the way to my max in the final seconds.
 
U
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MMMD MMMD
Thanks. I hate to be part of the problem of Zenith inflation - much rather pull off a coup like your A386 - but I did get gouged all the way to my max in the final seconds.

But you GOT IT. That's what counts. As watches get more popular the competition for top quality pieces is going to get fierce. Congrats on snagging what I think is one of the most gorgeous chronographs ever produced. :thumbsup:

Oh, and you're on the list of guys who I'm gonna hound relentlessly to sell me their watches now. Not that you didn't have a spectacular collection already....
 
John Chris
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I'm with ulackfocus - when its a true quality piece, one shouldn't quibble too much over the price if you can still eat afterwards. Plus, you have the confidence of knowing that you weren't the only one who put a value in that neighbourhood on that watch!
 
Wheels
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U ulackfocus
Oh, and you're on the list of guys who I'm gonna hound relentlessly to sell me their watches now. Not that you didn't have a spectacular collection already....

Is this your version of calling dibbs??! :P
 
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