Also, I'd like to add, the case isn't the same as the 1614, it has fully hooded lugs.

One thing that is also worth noting... If this watch is all genuine & correct, then it is a very rare and unusual model. No one has any evidence of another in existence.. yet the guy you bought it off happens to have 2. Now, that could swing both ways. It could strengthen a case for it being genuine, as there are more than one... but it also throws a suspect light over the authenticity. Has someone been 'putting these together', the applying an old caseback sticker and writing an unknown model number on the sticker?

I'll let you decide, but the more I look at it, the more I can't help but thinking that the tachy ring and dial is most probably original (well, I'm not certain).. but I feel that it is a 'put together' watch. The fact that the seller has two in near mint condition, with caseback stickers & reworked casebacks is a bit of a red flag.

Stewart

: Spot on Mark,
: I posted similar pics of the 1614 model at the same time as your
: post!
: The 'red date' thing - the odd dates were red & the even black
: (on my 1614 example anyway).

: You are right to question both the PVD and the 'stainless steel' -
: the SS finish looks nickel (or similar) plated.
: These things alone are a bit suspect. But like I mentioned before,
: there were a lot of weird & wonderful iterations of this
: model around the early 80s.
: My 1614 is stainless steel, without a brushed case back and more
: shallow.
: The fact that the caseback on Erics has been reworked with an
: 'Autavia-esk' brush finish, then a sticker placed over the top
: is highly suspect. Like you say, it also looks like it has been
: 'roughed up' with a dab of water to give it an old &
: original feel, as if the sticker has been there since it left
: the factory.

: To me, it would suggest that a donor caseback has been used, and
: the original markings removed and a brush finish applied to
: disguise the originality of the caseback. Coupled with a old
: sticker placed ovcer the top, this is clearly an attempt to
: hoodwink the suspect originality of the caseback.

: Eric, I would say that this watch isn't as it left the factory.
: Whether original or not, it has been messed around with, the
: evidence is there, I'm afraid.

: Stewart

: :

: :