Zodiac Talk => General Zodiac Discussion => Topic started by: elnino43 on July 08, 2019, 04:36:33 PM

Title: Service dial and General Repair Questions
Post by: elnino43 on July 08, 2019, 04:36:33 PM
Just got a 60's Aerospace GMT. Couple questions

-Did they ever make service dials in the 90's for these watches? The logo appears to be of the newer style writing on the new reissues but its impossible its a new dial since its a 36mm and the new ones are much larger. Its also a sunburst gray dial I have never seen before on a aerospace gmt. Usually I have only seen them in black or white/silverfish. Its a pepsi bezel.

- Are many of the parts from the Seawolf interchangeable with the GMT? for example the mainspring etc.
I hear parts are hard to come by, is it true. Even a mainspring? Is it hard to source parts and any tips?
Title: Re: Service dial and General Repair Questions
Post by: Butch on July 08, 2019, 04:45:24 PM
Why don't you post a pic?

Ah! This sounds like a 1990's kortz model. What is the number on the back? Yes, parts are very hard to come by. Some parts may interchangeable in the movement when they are the same caliber.
Title: Re: Service dial and General Repair Questions
Post by: YuriyV on July 08, 2019, 11:26:51 PM
I suppose TS is talking about this one:
https://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-zodiac-aerospace-gmt-pepsi-bezel-4948351.html
Title: Re: Service dial and General Repair Questions
Post by: Butch on July 09, 2019, 05:27:17 AM
Thanks. Much better pics. I believe this to be an all original 70's model (except for the crown of course). While I don't recall a gray dial it is certainly possible. He said it is not faded black.
Title: Re: Service dial and General Repair Questions
Post by: Cobber on July 09, 2019, 12:36:24 PM
Wow, that's one of the best condition Pepsi bezels I've ever seen.  Also, never seen the grey dial before but gotta say I find it more appealing than the black.  I think a professional could probably improve the fit of the end pieces on the beads of rice bracelet a bit.  Nice combo.
Title: Re: Service dial and General Repair Questions
Post by: Ultra-Vintage on July 09, 2019, 03:43:17 PM
I can never say 100% until I have something in hand, but I am pretty sure that is refinished.  Multiple aspects of the print are not correct.
Title: Re: Service dial and General Repair Questions
Post by: Butch on July 09, 2019, 04:46:32 PM
My apologies folks. Looks like I was wrong and hasty. Or hasty and wrong? Don't get old, you patience is the first to go.

I talked with BWG and he has a red/blue model with a black dial that he is going to post a pic of so that we can do a side by side comparison. In all the catalogs throughout the years they only offered a black or white dial model. I should have stuck with that.
Title: Re: Service dial and General Repair Questions
Post by: Ultra-Vintage on July 09, 2019, 05:06:00 PM
Here are 3 examples of original GMT dials that I quickly grabbed out of a parts drawer.  The differences between the gray dial and these are numerous, but the 2 most important things to spot on this one:

1. No printed window around the date, instead minute marks through the window.  Minute track is totally incorrect

2. Although they got the overall styling of the writing correct (which many refinishes do not), the printing is way too thick.  This is common with dial refinishes, as they are essentially a "one of" whereas manufacturing can turn out hundreds of identical dials
Title: Re: Service dial and General Repair Questions
Post by: YuriyV on July 09, 2019, 10:25:30 PM
It was white GMT dial. Refinished in black/gray color. I think some of black paint is visible on markers (indication of redial).
White dial has sunburst pattern. That explains its presence on this specimen.