Zodiac Talk => Ask BWG! => Topic started by: Krash01 on June 04, 2019, 02:42:26 PM

Title: Zodiac Triple Date Moonphase questions
Post by: Krash01 on June 04, 2019, 02:42:26 PM
Greetings from Hungary!

I recently picked up a nice Zodiac Triple Date Moonphase Automatic, and get it serviced at my local watchmaker.

It works and looks great, though I have a few questions:

-When it was made? In the '50s or 60s?
-as I've read the moonpahse should change at 12pm. Mine changes an hour earlier, 11am. Is that a problem?
-When I shake the watch vertically with face up (so not in the direction where the rotor should move) it feels that movement is a bit loose, I hear a "wobble" sound. However, my watchmaker checked it, and it isn't loose. He said that it is normal. Is it?

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Zodiac Triple Date Moonphase questions
Post by: Ultra-Vintage on June 06, 2019, 11:22:06 AM
Hi Krash. 

-Is 1960s, last variation of the 3DMP for the original Zodiac company

-No, not a problem.  All of the functions have a period of time that they advance over.  Your watchmaker could adjust that slightly, but most change at 11-12 or so.  The day/date should both be close to midnight though

-Wobble could be in the automatic assembly/rotor.  The movement has case screws to secure it in the case, which are important for this model as it prevents the movement/dial from falling forward into the crystal.  So as long as those are stable I would check the auto
Title: Re: Zodiac Triple Date Moonphase questions
Post by: Krash01 on June 06, 2019, 06:15:53 PM
Thank you very very much the answers.
The dates are changing exactly at midnight, so they are okay.

Now the only thing is that clacking noise. My watchmaker checked it, the movement is secure, and tight, that's not the cause of the sound. Actually, he said it is coming from the rotor, but according to him it is normal, but for me it is bit strange. When the dial faces up, and I shake it vertically (so not in the direction where the rotor should rotate) I feel that something is moving back and forth inside. The rotor spins freely, and everything working, the watch keeps time well, but still, I don't want to get it damaged during usage.
When you shake yours in that way, nothing is moving inside?
Title: Re: Zodiac Triple Date Moonphase questions
Post by: Ultra-Vintage on June 07, 2019, 11:02:02 AM
Quote from: Krash01 on June 06, 2019, 06:15:53 PM
Thank you very very much the answers.
The dates are changing exactly at midnight, so they are okay.

Now the only thing is that clacking noise. My watchmaker checked it, the movement is secure, and tight, that's not the cause of the sound. Actually, he said it is coming from the rotor, but according to him it is normal, but for me it is bit strange. When the dial faces up, and I shake it vertically (so not in the direction where the rotor should rotate) I feel that something is moving back and forth inside. The rotor spins freely, and everything working, the watch keeps time well, but still, I don't want to get it damaged during usage.
When you shake yours in that way, nothing is moving inside?

The movement of the rotor in a vertical position should be very little, if hardly any.  You may want to check the rotor axle, screws that secure the rotor axle, or that the inside of the rotor hub is not worn in such a way that it does not have enough contact with the rotor axle to keep it in a constant plane.
Title: Re: Zodiac Triple Date Moonphase questions
Post by: Krash01 on June 12, 2019, 07:34:14 AM
Thanks. I've shown the watch to an other watchmaker, he inspected it, and said that everything seems fine with rotor. It has a  very little vertical play, but he said that it is normal (no metal on metal sound), so now I'm enjoying the watch :)