Zodiac Talk => General Zodiac Discussion => Topic started by: Stibbs on January 16, 2016, 10:08:57 PM

Title: Old Chronograph Question
Post by: Stibbs on January 16, 2016, 10:08:57 PM
Firstly, howdy all, I'm a new member and this forum and site looks fantastic.

I recently grabbed this old chrono and can't seem to find much info on it. Judging by the case and the movement (valjoux 92) I assume it's from the 1950s. With the watchmaker's marks on the inside of the back, it seems to have been serviced a few times, which implies it's been worn a bit. My question is, the dial and case in general seem to be in suspiciously good condition given its age (there are no marks or dents anywhere). Does anyone know if this dial has been redone? Also has anyone seen the "MB" mark on the case before? I assume its a case maker's mark. 

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers
Title: Re: Old Chronograph Question
Post by: Butch on January 17, 2016, 09:12:58 AM
I would guess more the 60's. The dial appears to be original. The hands do not to me. UV is the chrono collector, perhaps he will weigh in.
Title: Re: Old Chronograph Question
Post by: Stibbs on January 17, 2016, 09:47:40 AM
I'd never thought about the hands but you raise a good point, I've not seen anything like them on another Zodiac or Clebar. Although my picture isn't fantastic, they match the colour of the indices quite well though. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a matching reference in any of the catalogs to compare.

After spending a few hours searching through Swiss trademark guides, it turns out the MB is for "Th. Maeder", who did the electroplating.
Title: Re: Old Chronograph Question
Post by: Butch on January 17, 2016, 11:40:55 AM
Gold indices usually have gold hands. Also, they appear to be from 3 different sets of hands, none original. At least by the picture anyway!

Yours has waterproof pushers, here is one of mine, the "other" model in stainless.
http://www.vintagezodiacs.com/p7lsm_img_2/fullsize/1970s2RegChrono_fs.jpg (http://www.vintagezodiacs.com/p7lsm_img_2/fullsize/1970s2RegChrono_fs.jpg)