Surprising result on an off-brand Ultra/OPS

jbcollier

Member
Enicaristi
Sherpa

$1700+US for a Birks (Canadian jeweller) version of a Ultra-Dive/OPS in extremely poor condition. Heck, there is a chunk out of the case! Looks like the case was black but that's just as a guess as it takes tough to a whole new level. Movement looks good/servicable. Dial is fair at best and not as interesting aesthetically. No date wheel or seconds hand. I was watching as Birks watches are an interest of mine and I'm looking for Enicar-sourced, Birks watches (hard to find). I, however, quickly lost interest as the price climbed.

1724
 

SteveHarris

Administrator
Staff member
Enicaristi
Sherpa
Absolutely bonkers result in the end I think! Was watching this one and was surprised how quickly it climbed at the end. Winner had a zero feedback score... so could have been some shill bidding going on possibly.
 

JimJupiter

Moderator
Staff member
Enicaristi
Sherpa
I was the under bidder. Lets see if a mail comes with an offer of the seller ;). I have the missing parts here, but heck the case is a challenge. I thought 1300€ would be more than enough to get it. Seems at least someone else (not the 0 Feedback buyer) was willing to go high (1800Can$).

Nico
 

jbcollier

Member
Enicaristi
Sherpa
The case is stainless so a really good welder could repair it and then have it machined back to spec. The black coating I’m not so sure about.
 

JimJupiter

Moderator
Staff member
Enicaristi
Sherpa
Thats what I think too. The coating though is no PVD but a burnished surface, like you know from weapons. PVD would be easy, burnishing is new to me.
 

Joe_A

Moderator
Staff member
Enicaristi
Sherpa
Looks like it was primed with good old "red lead," and then painted gray.
 

HorologyBiology

Member
Enicaristi
Sherpa
Looks like everyone was watching this one 😂 I didn’t bid on it, happy with my Ops

I had a feeling it would go for a lot been a Birks

Hopefully the 0 bidder was a shill so at least it will get built up in Europe 🙌🏻
 

jbcollier

Member
Enicaristi
Sherpa
You think Birks versions sell for more? Interesting. I'd have thought the reverse.

The "red paint" is on top of the black finish. Worn rough and put to bed wet (paint).
 

Slim

Member
Sherpa
Since burnishing is a special form of rust I don't believe that stainless steel can be simply burnished.
(I think the chrome content of this steel is too high).

To me it looks like a normal, heavy used OPS surface with red, green and white paint(-splashes).

For me there is also the pragmatic / heretical question whether every wreck has to be saved at all costs :unsure:.

I have 3 Birks for which I paid more or less the same as for the Enicar models.
 

Tybmco16

New member
Sherpa
FYI. It’s been relisted.


Question about eBay bidding on enicar. Can anyone explain why it’s good to bid high early?

I’m guessing restore alone on this Is 1) $100 for pvd removal, 2) $300ish for case restore, 3) 250 for new pvd. Do those costs sound right to everyone else?
 

jbcollier

Member
Enicaristi
Sherpa
In addition, it doesn't have a date wheel nor a seconds hand. Also, "both crowns are inoperable". This could mean a number of other parts are required. You couldn't call the dial mint either. I'm not sure why it bid so high the last time. Personally I think one reason may have been the seller shill biding to test the market.

I figure for $800 to $1200 you could do a fair amount of work and end up with a decent user watch for not too bad money. But, you could easily end up way underwater if a lot of parts are required. Inner bezel for an OPS anyone?
 

jbcollier

Member
Enicaristi
Sherpa
The only thing I can think of is that someone needs one last impossible to find part for their otherwise MIB OPS.
 

JimJupiter

Moderator
Staff member
Enicaristi
Sherpa
But what will it be? Only unique und not available parts are the case and dial (well, this dial).
 
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