This watch belonged to my grandfather. According to the certificate, it was acquired in 1959.

Anyone have any idea what it might be worth?

Thanks,
Hans

Are there any gold markings and hallmarks on the case back or band?

Curiously, none whatsoever.

However, I did find some additional documentation:

Also:

Then let's presume that it is all gold plated.

You have a very nice, complete, old and rare Zodiac there. Add to that it is the chronometer version, once serviced it will keep excellent time. I would value that at $500-750 to the right collector. If you want to wear it, that would make a fine family heirloom.

Be sure to click on the Watch Repair tab before you wind it again though, it describes your situation to a T.

Thanks for sharing your insights on the watch, Butch. I appreciate that.

Cheers,
Hans

that's a wonderful piece

Hey man,

I have a Zodiac watch that looks VERY similar to that, I also got mine from my grandpa, I had mine appraised and serviced, I was told mine is SOLID 18K gold, appraised at $16,800, You should definetely take yours to a jeweler and have them appraise it. Also, I had mine appraised at 2 different places, so you can be sure that it is accurate.

I've never understood the appraisal business.  I can't imagine anyone ever paying that much for a Zodiac unless it was worn by someone of some fame or notoriety.  That being said,...love that watch! 

I have found appraisals to be bogus. In the above case solid gold has to be counted at scrap value, which I do and asked about any markings and then presumed plated. A solid gold with 13 diamonds women's 1960's Zodiac is not worth $2,000 as no woman today would buy it to wear. (I just had one of those a month or so ago.)

The next time someone gives "you" an appraisal, ask them if they want to buy it at that price right now and see how fast they back away.

When asked, I will usually give someone a price of what it goes for retail, once serviced. And when asked I usually tell them what they can expect it to go for on eBay too.

I am regularly offered solid gold watches by a gold dealer.
Regardless of brand, he will sell me a watch at gold scrap price plus $200.00.
Recently he had 3 various Omegas at prices from $1200 to $1800, and 1 Geneve with a solid band which came in at $3800.00. None were in good condition, (of course he didn't care about that) and none were an exciting model, so in all instances they were worth more as scrap than they were as a collectable piece. I passed on all of them.
Which in some ways explains the increasing numbers of working movements coming onto the market!
It is a pity to see these old pieces being scrapped however any item for sale is only worth as much as someone will pay for it.
Gotta agree with Butch on the one above valued at $16,800. Its scrap value would only be around $2000 at best, probably less, and its unlikely any collector would pay anywhere near that money as a collectable.
I value watches from time to time for insurance purposes, and basically ask the owner what he believes its worth.  ^-^
Offshore
The piece shown by the OP is a lovely looking watch, IF it was solid I would guess it may run to $2000 in gold value.
The only real way to tell is to remove the movement and crystal, and weigh the actual gold components.

It was the same back in the 80's when gold hit $800/oz. for the first time. Many fine watches have disappeared then and now due to them being sold for scrap gold.

Take a look at 360542810365. I am surprised this watch survived the 80's gold rush. And today the gold content is worth more than the watch is. As for his price, well....

UPDATE. I sold this watch today for scrap to a local jeweler. I received an impressive 90% melt value, which amounted to $2,400 as it is 18ct gold. If I had sold for scrap at the time when I originally posted to this forum, it would have pulled in around $3k.

I had shopped this piece around to many jewelers and watch specialists in the US and UK and none of them were interested in the watch itself. The Zodiac brand in general does not seem to garner much interest.

The jeweler let me keep the movement, which is in excellent working condition. If anyone is interested, let me know.