Thanks Shaun and Kaz, that was very helpful. The watch I am considering is a CAL 11. I would have attached a photo of one of my latest Alfa's (1948 6c2500SS) for fun (I have had 18 over the past 35yrs. Mostly pre-1959.) but don't have time to master the technique. My son has Sony site with pictures on it but I don't want to add all those pictures to this message. How did you add just one picture or is it too complicated to explain simply?
Thanks again.
Oliver
: Firstly...good choice.
: I'll try answer some questions..

: 1) Is it common to fake them?
: As far as I know there are no outright fakes
: made in some factory somewhere in asia, but
: incorrect models are often put together from
: spare parts from other models or watches.

: 2) What are the telltale signs?
: Things like wrong hands and refinished dials,
: or wrong case, wrong movement, wrong bezel.
: You can study the pictures in the
: Chronograph galleries on this OntheDash site
: to be sure the watch is correct.

: 3) What does CAL 11 and CAL 12 mean?
: They are the movement references; Calibre 11 is
: the earlier one, replaced by the Calibre 12.
: There is some slight difference I can't
: remember, better experts can explain (search
: the forum on the topic, I think there was an
: explanation a month or two ago).

: 3) Is the Viceroy a cheaper. different model to
: the Siffert?
: The viceroy is the most common version of the
: Autavia. Both the viceroy and the siffert
: are different autavia models. The viceroy
: was offered in a cigarette promotion, I
: think thats why it was common. It's common
: (so much cheaper) but it is also classic.
: I've attached a photo of the viceroy and
: siffert so you can see the differences.

: 4) It is an autavia chronometer with blue hands
: does that mean it's a Siffert?
: I think a minimum standard to be called a
: "siffert" is an autavia model with
: a white face and blue hands. Personally I
: believe only a cal11 or cal12 autavia with a
: white face/blue hands is a
: "siffert". But it's a matter of
: faith rather than facts really. If you are a
: true pedant the only siffert is the one worn
: by siffert...

: 5) The price guide says they are worth
: $2500-3000, would
: you agree?
: I haven't seen many people on the forum
: disagreeing. The price of "steve
: mcqueen" monacos has exploded in the
: past months, you never know, sifferts could
: be next...

: 6) If there's anything you want to know about
: vintage Alfa Romeos, maybe I can help.
: I think the guys in the forum would get a kick
: out of seeing some nice old alfa romeo
: photos...I dont have any vintage cars, but
: if I was to buy one in reality it would
: probably be an alfa (in dreamland an
: original muira, but I don't see it happening
: soon).

: shaun