Readers may recall this appropriately titled thread from the 'Contemporary Chrono's section of the old forum, which grew out of the Close Calls and Double Takes thread to become: (I'm having an) Attack of the Carrera 7Axx Clones
Over the years, I've been tempted by a few '7Axx clones (most recently, that Lip 'Panda' mentioned in the other thread). However, although I've looked longingly, I can honestly say, hand on heart, that I've only ever succumbed to buying one of them (twice actually - the second example, which I purchased almost a year ago, was just too cheap to pass up).
That is of course, the Carrera 515.11 'Reverse Panda'.
With the crown @ 8:00 + three pushers, tri-compax sub-dial layout and a date window (but no day) set into the 1/10s sub-dial, it's the closest clone to a pukka 7A38 - at least that I've ever seen.
Another variation on the Carrera 7Axx clone - Continued
Re: Another variation on the Carrera 7Axx clone - a 7T32 !
Listed yesterday evening by a French eBay seller:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carrera-Chro ... 4760226742
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carrera-Chro ... 4760226742
Re: Another variation on the Carrera 7Axx clone - a 7T32 !
In fact, this isn't 'another variation' but another case of Déjà Vu (that I'd completely forgotten about), which I'd already posted in the old forum's precursory Close Calls and Double Takes thread, back in November 2016. This is just a different case finish and dial colour. What the heck I may as well finish editing these posts, now I've started.
Re: Another variation on the Carrera 7Axx clone - Continued
Somewhat belatedly, here's another variation on the Carrera 7Axx clone I've seen. It was listed on eBay last July (2022) by speedtimerkollektion. I overlooked posting about it at the time. It's a two-tone model 515.12, but this variant had a rather attractive champagne 'Panda' dial, instead of the more commonly seen white with gold sub-dials. From memory, the watch was a non-runner. It was also fitted with a non-original replacement bracelet, probably why I passed on it.
Had it been working and in better / more original condition, from another seller, I probably would have jumped at it.
Had it been working and in better / more original condition, from another seller, I probably would have jumped at it.
Re: Another variation on the Carrera 7Axx clone - Continued
What actually prompted me to update this thread was the sight of a couple of new listings for NOS Carrera 515's. They were listed last night by US eBay seller izeldor (a.k.a thewatchfactory.com), with the same Buy-it-Now price of $275.
Firstly, the relatively common stainless 'reverse panda' 515.11 (of which I have two already).
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Carr ... 5722826439
Then an attractive if slightly blingy gold-tone 515.15 on a leather strap (which serves to tone it down somewhat).
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Carr ... 5560698270
It should be noted that these watches are currently not running, in need of replacement batteries - per the seller's description and from lack of movement of their hands in various photos. I had to chuckle at how the seller, izeldor, a.k.a. Dory Farash was trying to promote these as high quality Swiss Made watches in his fanciful description, yet is selling them at a third of their 1990's retail prices ($860 and $775). The gold-tone 515.15 doesn't actually have 'SWISS MADE' or 'SWISS' printed at the bottom of the dial.
Firstly, the relatively common stainless 'reverse panda' 515.11 (of which I have two already).
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Carr ... 5722826439
Then an attractive if slightly blingy gold-tone 515.15 on a leather strap (which serves to tone it down somewhat).
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Carr ... 5560698270
It should be noted that these watches are currently not running, in need of replacement batteries - per the seller's description and from lack of movement of their hands in various photos. I had to chuckle at how the seller, izeldor, a.k.a. Dory Farash was trying to promote these as high quality Swiss Made watches in his fanciful description, yet is selling them at a third of their 1990's retail prices ($860 and $775). The gold-tone 515.15 doesn't actually have 'SWISS MADE' or 'SWISS' printed at the bottom of the dial.
Re: Another variation on the Carrera 7Axx clone - Continued
I still manage to impress myself with some of my earlier speculative detective work.
From the old archived forum's (I'm having an) Attack of the Carrera 7Axx Clones thread:
From the old archived forum's (I'm having an) Attack of the Carrera 7Axx Clones thread: