Zodiac Talk => General Zodiac Discussion => Topic started by: Dutchsiberia on July 13, 2012, 01:54:10 PM

Title: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts..(now running great and keeping time)
Post by: Dutchsiberia on July 13, 2012, 01:54:10 PM
I got my grubby hands on a cheap astrographic sst  ;D
It appears it "only" needs  new spring and barrel, and a winding stem.  You guys/gals got anything "laying around"? I'll post pics of the guts soon  :-)
It's a beautiful blue dialed square model.

Allright, here are the seller's pics, I have to show sómething  :P

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi46.tinypic.com%2F2hoe04k.jpg&hash=b198c61e716aeb4a98dce5ff500fb95b71fc5141)

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi50.tinypic.com%2F33bh1dj.jpg&hash=88077dbe5249b0ea4b57ad79bbeea9c815a3b844)

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi50.tinypic.com%2F2v0zjf9.jpg&hash=7c805f1284c7dd797c7d8d76aba87d2729e2bdb5)
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts....
Post by: Butch on July 14, 2012, 06:24:09 AM
I cannot tell from the pictures but the rotor has been replaced with a non-zodiac part. You might want to verify the rest of the movement.
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts....
Post by: Dutchsiberia on July 14, 2012, 08:23:23 AM
Yeah, I was missing the inscriptions on the rotor :(
It should look like this
http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&0&2uswk&Zodiac_78 (http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&0&2uswk&Zodiac_78)

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ranfft.de%2Fbidfun%2Fkatb%2F2uswk%2FZodiac_88D-1.jpg&hash=efb12a5e4405c0d91ebda034606d225a07a92cf2)

Maybe the rotor got changed for an AS one?


The barrel has some stripped teeth and the spring is broken, the winding stem is also broken

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi46.tinypic.com%2Fbx215.jpg&hash=7b7ca65e8a055929e651ef0e69fba2921642ef00)

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi45.tinypic.com%2F11qnxmv.jpg&hash=6390e96ec93bbe9a1c3d1ebbdd6434f1cd9e6724)

The rest of the movement appears to be fine, after carefully moving a gear the balance starts ticking very fast, as a high beat movement should do  :)

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi47.tinypic.com%2Fv3dqmf.jpg&hash=97f4ed577e9ba4fba9f09eccfce840ce8e809feb)
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts....
Post by: Butch on July 14, 2012, 08:37:12 AM
You will probably have to buy another caliber 88 or 86 movement (in another SST watch) to get your parts.
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts....
Post by: Dutchsiberia on July 15, 2012, 01:16:15 PM
Or find the parts  8)
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts....
Post by: Butch on July 15, 2012, 01:19:08 PM
Good luck with that Pal. That is why I said what I said. But you would become a demigod if you found someplace with Zodiac parts and shared it with the forum.
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts....
Post by: Dutchsiberia on July 15, 2012, 02:13:44 PM
Well, I still have to receive the parts, but if everything works out, I'll let you know the source and where to build my temple  ;)
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts....
Post by: Dutchsiberia on July 27, 2012, 11:36:08 AM
We got 'em  8)
I haven't repaired the watch yet, had a very busy work day, and I'm tired, not the best moment to work on watches, but here's a quick pic. The stem and the barrel seem to fit perfectly, but I'll wait with the celebrations until I have a ticking Zodiac of course :)

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi49.tinypic.com%2Fvcxse9.jpg&hash=88d3baffb51705e78da21c373adeba625aeefee3)
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts.... (and I've got some)
Post by: Butch on July 27, 2012, 02:42:38 PM
Can't see the picture, but you bought a new sealed barrel mainspring?
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts.... (and I've got some)
Post by: Dutchsiberia on July 27, 2012, 04:10:07 PM
The same kind of barrel like the old one, but in gold color, a new mainspring to be fitted in the barrel (very simple) and a new stem (has to be shortened)

So I "only" have to pop in the spring, close the lid of the barrel correct the length of the winding stem, cleaning, lubing and I'm done :)
(If nothing scary happens)

It might not be to the high standards of a real watchmaker, but the goal is to end with a nice running, wearable watch :)

maybe the direct link to the pic works?
http://i49.tinypic.com/vcxse9.jpg (http://i49.tinypic.com/vcxse9.jpg)
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts.... (and I've got some)
Post by: Dutchsiberia on July 28, 2012, 10:57:02 AM
I don't need the spring, barrel already had one!

It drops in nicely
(crummy pics, sorry, and the movement wil be cleaned up some more)

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi49.tinypic.com%2F2e1doc0.jpg&hash=1167cfff172f478ccd0cc98728fe2144829ed880)

And after fitting the bridge and some gears:

ticking  :wehe

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi46.tinypic.com%2F34r8xnn.jpg&hash=2523ab078702933f48a3300aaa2c68cb3135a0c5)

Allright, to do: Final cleanup and lube, sizing assembling and placing winding stem, removing dust from the discs, wearing the watch :)

Here's where I got the parts from (India!)

http://oldswisswatches.com/Spares/Zodiac_Mechanical_Movements.htm (http://oldswisswatches.com/Spares/Zodiac_Mechanical_Movements.htm)

Just email him with your requests, he's quick to respond and a nice guy :)
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts.... (and I've got some)
Post by: Butch on July 28, 2012, 11:14:19 AM
Good deal all around Dutch. Looking forward to the finished product!
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts.... (and I've got some)
Post by: Dutchsiberia on July 28, 2012, 11:23:59 AM
I'll make photo's and let you know :) I'm taking my time with this one, my impatience has cost me a watch once  :(
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts.... (and I've got some)
Post by: Dutchsiberia on July 29, 2012, 12:03:58 PM
No time for pics yet, but the watch runs and is on my wrist right now  ;D
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts.... (and I've got some)
Post by: Dutchsiberia on July 30, 2012, 12:17:23 PM
some quick pics of the movement.
The plastic discs could use some more cleaning, but I'm very careful, don't want to damage anything.

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi47.tinypic.com%2Fqsk4di.jpg&hash=0488a452056bf8cbc271a8fd6e3bf561500e4f56)

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi49.tinypic.com%2F353ds89.jpg&hash=110185abac20e157fbfd4a7ba091da0553032728)
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts.... (and I've got some)
Post by: Dutchsiberia on August 04, 2012, 05:46:07 AM
Wristshot :)

The scratches are very visible now, I've got "stuff" to polish glass crystals, but I'll try it on other watches first :)

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi46.tinypic.com%2F2zznn6h.jpg&hash=bfa940367561a32060b951e4c29332bd272e85eb)


Butch has an awesome astrographic for sale, but I've got an different bracelet it seems.

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi47.tinypic.com%2Fsxgiom.jpg&hash=bf2bf992ddac6d46301bec24107f0a7ff6d75b33)

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi47.tinypic.com%2Fr75cfm.jpg&hash=99671fab23a2841667031010f8a0652839644e87)

(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi45.tinypic.com%2F1547uyo.jpg&hash=83c3adf1507ce3734a8bd4f9e45e3f963557212e)
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts..(now running great and keeping time)
Post by: orangecorallimorph on August 04, 2012, 09:50:28 AM
Hey thanks Dutch...
It's nice to see a series of pics as  you worked on that timepiece. I wouldn't worry about "fine" watchmaker, you obviously got some mad skills yourself to even attempt the work in the first place!!! Great job! And wear that watch with pride knowing you saved a small fortune being able to do the work yourself!!!
Keep it Real, Orange C.
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts..(now running great and keeping time)
Post by: Morello on December 13, 2012, 04:39:31 PM
Hello!

Where did you buy a new main spring barrel (complete)?

Best regards
Morello
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts..(now running great and keeping time)
Post by: Dutchsiberia on December 14, 2012, 04:04:52 AM
Oldswisswatches.com  :-)
My watch still ticks along nicely  :-)
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts..(now running great and keeping time)
Post by: szabgab on December 14, 2012, 11:56:32 AM
Hi, just a warning though... PLease check with Sudarson (the guy, who is running the oldswisswatches place) if the part you are getting does a) is an exact fit b) it's a new or salvaged part... I had a bit of a run with the guy because of this (but he sent a refund pretty swiftly)
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts..(now running great and keeping time)
Post by: Morello on December 16, 2012, 02:40:53 PM
Hello

Thanks. Just emailed the guy.
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts..(now running great and keeping time)
Post by: Morello on December 17, 2012, 12:46:42 PM
No reply yet; is he a bit slow?
Title: Re: zodiac astrographic sst in need of parts..(now running great and keeping time)
Post by: szabgab on December 19, 2012, 06:10:20 AM
yes, he seems to sometimes reply almost instantly and sometimes takes his time. He will reply eventually.