Zodiac Talk => I saw this Zodiac on the Internet... => Topic started by: radzod on June 09, 2019, 03:39:16 PM

Title: Zodiac 1950s (?) two-register chronograph
Post by: radzod on June 09, 2019, 03:39:16 PM
352681206227

Won this today. Set me back about $250 after exchange. Been looking to add a chronograph and felt like this was a good price for a two register Zodiac chronograph in that state, clearly in need of service.

Missing the crown but hoping it is serviceable besides that (unclear what "working" means in this case). I assume a replacement crown can be found for these, which that era I believe would be an unsigned gold crown. I'm guessing 1950s vintage from the shape of the lugs. No pictures or description of the movement so a calculated risk here for sure.

I'll post more details and pictures once I have it in hand and can better evaluate my purchase.
Title: Re: Zodiac 1950s (?) two-register chronograph
Post by: radzod on June 17, 2019, 08:47:19 PM
Arrived today. Brassing on the lugs where gold plate has worn, as expected. Doesn't bother me. Adds to the patina. Far as I can tell the face, hands and crystal all original and in excellent shape.

Case back and movement both Zodiac signed. Appears to be a Landeron 148 movement in there. The pushers both work (as far as I can tell). Movement appears to be serviceable to my eyes, but we shall see.

Will follow with some photos.

Interestingly inside the case back is stamped "ZodiacWLtd" above "LeLocle,Swiss" above "FOND ACIER" then "INOXYDABLE" and then below is stamped "1013" but the 3 has a strikethrough counterstamped over and a 2 stamped next to it. Odd.

There seem to be 3 watch repair marks engraved as well ... appears to have been serviced in '57, '64 and '80 ... best I can make out with my loupe.
Title: Re: Zodiac 1950s (?) two-register chronograph
Post by: RickF on June 20, 2019, 10:31:33 PM
HI Radicimo,
I'm currently watching a very similar piece. This one is also a 2 chronograph white dial with gold coloured Arabic numerals and hands but in what I'm guessing is a chrome/nickel finish.

Has unusual marking in case back... Not a clear ZODIAC but "Z66i66" or ZGGiGG" with the 6s' or G's in a smaller font pressing but with similar "LeLocle,Swiss" above "FOND ACIER" then "INOXYDABLE". No makers signing on the movement so possibly pre '50?
I'd add pix but too thick to figure out how to copy from the site, sorry.

If you or anyone else has any knowledge please put in you info. I'm keen on this as it would be my second Zodiac and my first Vintage piece.
Was your cost in USD? I'm in OZ however the piece is in Europe currently valued in close range.
Title: Re: Zodiac 1950s (?) two-register chronograph
Post by: RickF on June 21, 2019, 02:38:47 AM
Ok, so figured out the pix I hope..
Title: Re: Zodiac 1950s (?) two-register chronograph
Post by: RickF on June 21, 2019, 03:02:30 AM
Bugger!! 2 pix the same.... :#banghead  This time for sure... Nothing up my sleeve...
Title: Re: Zodiac 1950s (?) two-register chronograph
Post by: radzod on June 25, 2019, 02:16:37 PM
Hi RickF, I apologize as I was out of town over the weekend. From what I can see, that does look like ZodiacLtd. stamped at the top on the case back in the photo. I would be more concerned about the lack of Zodiac on the movement. I would expect to see that stamped on the part in the 6 o'clock position in your photo, but I'm not enough of an authority to say whether that is critical. That is definitely not a Landeron 148, but I'm not sure what the movement is.

Seems to be a stainless case in worse condition than the one I purchased. That crown is suspect, but I wouldn't know to say if it is original. I paid in euros and it converted to almost exactly $250 USD after shipping.

I will try to get my photos posted in the next day or two, but the photos here show the same movement as mine (with the Zodiac stamp) --> https://imgur.com/a/qvYrvN1
Title: Re: Zodiac 1950s (?) two-register chronograph
Post by: Butch on June 25, 2019, 03:30:02 PM
Many of the 2 register Zodiacs had unsigned movements, that is not a concern. Here is an example.

http://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/index.php/topic,3133.0.html (http://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/index.php/topic,3133.0.html)

;)
Title: Re: Zodiac 1950s (?) two-register chronograph
Post by: Ultra-Vintage on June 25, 2019, 03:54:42 PM
My experience overall has been that 1950s and very early 1960s Zodiac chronographs may not be originally signed on the chronograph bridge.  By the mid to late 60s and through the 1970s the movements were signed, and then once the company reached the 7750 chrono movement era they were largely unsigned on the movements again.

One thing to note though, is that sellers often use this to their advantage to put together watches that are not totally original. 

Additionally, the above case (RickF's) is base metal with a stainless back.  This is the reason for the heavy wear to the case body.
Title: Re: Zodiac 1950s (?) two-register chronograph
Post by: Butch on June 25, 2019, 06:00:22 PM
Zodiac would order ebauches for all thei watches. Then they would change parts in house to make them Zodiac signed. In this case a bridge. No big deal here. Take the ebbauche out of the tin, change the bridge, add dial and hands, adjust and time, case it up and send it out. (Ditto for a Sea Wolf movement and a Zodiac rotor for you other guys.)

I feel people get way to tied up in the chronos. One must remember that Zodiac was a small company. IMHO sometimes hand to mouth small. They took on all sorts of special jobs/orders that many larger Swiss companies would not take on, hence the dials with company (country) logos. If they had a contract to fill they would not have let the fact that they had no signed bridges in stock if they had to get stuff out the door and make some money.

I have seen Zodiac Chronos with unmarked movements and even Clebar marked movements. (Just a bridge here, right?) Ditto for a Triple Date Moon Phase. Sometimes even their dress watches.
Title: Re: Zodiac 1950s (?) two-register chronograph
Post by: radzod on June 25, 2019, 08:50:14 PM
Great discussion.

Here are a few pics of my piece.