Zodiac Talk => General Zodiac Discussion => Topic started by: ScottB on September 13, 2021, 04:33:00 PM

Title: An unexpected Zodiac
Post by: ScottB on September 13, 2021, 04:33:00 PM
I was expecting to expand my Zodiac collection, and in fact have been looking at selling of a few pieces, but an additional Zodiac has unexpectedly entered my life.
While visiting with my dad yesterday, I asked him about a watch that had belonged to his father that my dad wore as his "special occasion" timepiece.  He told me that he has it and it still runs great. When he brought it to me, I nearly jumped out of my seat when I saw the gold "Zodiac" on the face of the watch!
My dad started wearing the watch in 1958 when his father passed away.  He told me that the watch has not been service since he has had it and he doesn't think his father ever had it service.  This is pretty amazing as the watch runs flawlessly. He thought the watch was manual wind, but I put it to me ear and gave it a little shake and could hear the rotor whizzing away.  It's been running like a champ but I will have it serviced.
My dad believes the watch was purchased in the 30s or maybe early 40s. The lug ends have "10K G.F." on one end and "47" on the other.  I thought the 47 might be a date code but my dad is pretty sure the watch was purchased well before then. The lugs do look a bit more ornate that later Rotographic models I've seen
Upon opening the case back I found the movement was an 1150A. I couldn't find any history of when this movement started production, but to me it looks too modern to have been from the 30s. Looking at the inside of the case back, I have found an inscription of "F44 8/67". To me, this seems like a service marking.  There are also markings "60190" and "D113378". I'm wondering if maybe the watch was service and the movement replaced? I'd think s 30s/40s movement would look different from what I am seeing.  If anyone has any info, details, or theories, I'd appreciate the input!

Title: Re: An unexpected Zodiac
Post by: YuriyV on September 13, 2021, 09:11:09 PM
Definitely it is not 1930s. At that time these 360 Automatics even did not exist.
I'd date this as early as 1950s.
Wise decision to give it a service.
Title: Re: An unexpected Zodiac
Post by: Grossisten on September 14, 2021, 05:27:31 AM
There is a Rotographic (different hands though) in the 1955 catalogue - but none as far as I can tell in the 1952 version. Maybe this is an indication of when the term "Rotographic" it was introduced and thus the earliest time this watch would have been produced?
Title: Re: An unexpected Zodiac
Post by: ScottB on September 14, 2021, 08:55:41 AM
I have seen a couple of examples of the 50s era Rotographics, but none I have found have the curved lugs and the numbers are a different style.  Also the case sizes I have seen are 33mm instead of 31mm, and have 1361 movements. I  would've thought the 1150A movement would be an easy way to get a rough date range, but I can find nothing.