Zodiac Talk => Ask BWG! => Topic started by: TommyG on December 14, 2019, 10:24:34 AM

Title: Reference Numbers - Astrographic SST
Post by: TommyG on December 14, 2019, 10:24:34 AM
Hi Butch,
The SST in my avitar and in the attached picture is my grandfathers watch which I now have an I believe was original to him.  I have had it fully serviced and know the serial number but I am not aware of a reference number for this model.  Did these Astrographics have reference numbers?  If so, is there is a list of reference numbers by year made so that I might be able to figure out the vintage of my watch?
Thank you,
TommyG
Title: Re: Reference Numbers - Astrographic SST
Post by: Ultra-Vintage on December 15, 2019, 05:47:59 PM
Hi Tommy!  Nice Astrographic you have there.  I think it was likely made in the early 1970s, 1971 or 1972, and the case number should be 883 963 (should be marked inside the caseback) for this model with the "seconds" marks on the crystal.  A similar model, but with only "minute" marks on the crystal, I have seen with the case number 882 963.  The Zodiac catalogs in the 1970s also had this model listed as "1934".

:sm3
Title: Re: Reference Numbers - Astrographic SST
Post by: TommyG on December 20, 2019, 10:51:52 PM
Thank you so much! :twothumbsup
Title: Re: Reference Numbers - Astrographic SST
Post by: TommyG on December 29, 2019, 01:19:21 PM
Hi Butch,
I had the case back off of the watch this morning and the case number is actually 882 963.  The current crystal which was recently serviced by a very reputable Zodiac specialist is the same same as the crystal that was in the watch when my grandfather gave it to me, but we know that earlier in its life my grandfather had a new crystal put in by someone who didn't know Zodiacs very well.  I wonder if the watch originally only had minute markers and the recent servicer maybe only had access to a crystal with the seconds markers.  Given the case number, do you still think it is early 1970s and the 1934 model?
Thanks again,
Tom
Title: Re: Reference Numbers - Astrographic SST
Post by: Ultra-Vintage on December 30, 2019, 06:03:03 PM
Quote from: TommyG on December 29, 2019, 01:19:21 PM
Hi Butch,
I had the case back off of the watch this morning and the case number is actually 882 963.  The current crystal which was recently serviced by a very reputable Zodiac specialist is the same same as the crystal that was in the watch when my grandfather gave it to me, but we know that earlier in its life my grandfather had a new crystal put in by someone who didn't know Zodiacs very well.  I wonder if the watch originally only had minute markers and the recent servicer maybe only had access to a crystal with the seconds markers.  Given the case number, do you still think it is early 1970s and the 1934 model?
Thanks again,
Tom

It is possible that the original crystal might have been one with only minute marks, but honestly that would be the only difference between the two models.  The fact that it has a correct Astrographic crystal in it is what matters the most.