Zodiac Talk => I saw this Zodiac on the Internet... => Topic started by: Peter_O on October 19, 2019, 06:11:42 PM

Title: Dogma movement behind "Zodiac" dial?
Post by: Peter_O on October 19, 2019, 06:11:42 PM
Hi and greeting to all here!

I picked this up in a Bristol charity shop the other day and am curious to know a little more. Is it a fake? A frankenwatch? Or did old Zodiac's ever feature other movements? The hands are nicely blued. It pretty much runs and keeps time. Any info would be most gratefully received.
Title: Re: Dogma movement behind "Zodiac" dial?
Post by: Ultra-Vintage on October 21, 2019, 12:01:12 PM
Hi Peter.  Considering that this movement is an ebauche that Zodiac used (and other companies as well), it is possible that just the ratchet wheel was swapped out to replace the damaged original.  You would have to look at additional info in regards to the case, movements stamps etc to see if the movement/dial/case all originally came out together.
Title: Re: Dogma movement behind "Zodiac" dial?
Post by: Cobber on October 21, 2019, 12:25:04 PM
I don't know anything about Dogma but they must have used at least one of the same movement suppliers as Zodiac.  I'd guess the Zodiac needed some repair service and either someone swapped in a movement from a donor watch or used a portion to correct whatever was wrong.  Any images of the inside case back?
I don't know anything about the model you've pictured but looks legit if not at least interesting.  I like the hands and and really like the numerals on the dial.  The font used for the numbers is unlike anything I could find in the fifties' catalogues (found on the paysite).  If legit, it must predate the fifties.  I tried finding a name for the font to help identify the era it but couldn't find an exact match.  However, they do strongly resemble a thirty's contemporary, art deco numeral font I came across.  Someone that knows this movement may be able to help date it.
Title: Re: Dogma movement behind "Zodiac" dial?
Post by: Peter_O on October 21, 2019, 12:31:48 PM
I agree, the fonts and hands on the dial are very nice. The font makes me think of Bauhaus design which certainly calls to mind 30's /40's!
Title: Re: Dogma movement behind "Zodiac" dial?
Post by: Peter_O on October 21, 2019, 12:33:35 PM
Quote from: Ultra-Vintage on October 21, 2019, 12:01:12 PMYou would have to look at additional info in regards to the case, movements stamps etc to see if the movement/dial/case all originally came out together.
Thanks very much, that's interesting. I'll dig out my USB microscope and have a closer look at the movement later on.
Title: Re: Dogma movement behind "Zodiac" dial?
Post by: Cobber on October 21, 2019, 02:07:47 PM
According to the book linked below from 1938; this Zodiac's numeral design is somewhat characteristic of that era.  Never thought of it this way but I guess Bauhaus could be thought of as a boiled down art deco evolution.  I honestly know very little about design disciplines and may be stating the obvious.

https://www.design-is-fine.org/post/129415048954/irene-k-ames-a-portfolio-of-alphabet-designs-for (https://www.design-is-fine.org/post/129415048954/irene-k-ames-a-portfolio-of-alphabet-designs-for)

Interesting and somewhat random.  The Bauhaus Building School in Dessau Germany looks a bit like the Zodiac Factory from when it was still family operated.

http://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/index.php?topic=2210.0 (http://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/index.php?topic=2210.0)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus#/media/File:Bauhaus_Dessau.jpg (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus#/media/File:Bauhaus_Dessau.jpg)
Title: Re: Dogma movement behind "Zodiac" dial?
Post by: Peter_O on October 21, 2019, 02:53:24 PM
Quote from: Cobber on October 21, 2019, 02:07:47 PM
According to the book linked below from 1938;
https://www.design-is-fine.org/post/129415048954/irene-k-ames-a-portfolio-of-alphabet-designs-for (https://www.design-is-fine.org/post/129415048954/irene-k-ames-a-portfolio-of-alphabet-designs-for)
Yes, the '8' from the last font example plate in that page is almost identical to the very distinctive 8 on the dial. Very nice, very interesting. Thanks!
Title: Re: Dogma movement behind "Zodiac" dial?
Post by: Peter_O on October 27, 2019, 03:34:22 PM
Thanks to all here for their helpful responses. >:#Rulz   < Best wishes - HB