Help indentify my Zodiac and recommendations

[molonlabe]

Hello to all.

This is my first post. I have a Zodiac that I found in my father's desk years ago, which he has no recollection of, that I remembered about 6 months ago and decided to start wearing despite a missing button and dials that don't seem to be working.

I know very little, if nothing, about chronographs but I wound the crown a little and it started working so I wore it. After about 2 months of wearing it and winding it when it stopped, the crown came out while trying to adjust the time.

Long story, not so short, I've attached some pics here and am hoping someone could help me identify and tell me if it's a watch worth what could be a size-able investment for me. Or if it's a sell-able item in it's current state. A local repair man in my area said, without looking at it, that a general service for a chronograph starts at $300 and that's without missing parts. And that was before the crown came out.

Sorry for being long winded. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to hearing your responses.

[Butch]

What happened to you is what I try to warn people about. Please see this: http://www.vintagezodiacs.com/watchrepair.php It is a bit long winded right now but I encourage you to read it all.

Having said that, you have one of the most desirable Zodiacs from the 1970's. Once serviced it is worth over $1,000. But more importantly, once serviced, this will make a fine family heirloom to pass along.

[molonlabe]

Thanks for your quick response Butch. I'll read the recommended post.

Regarding the model of watch, any idea? Also, the local watchmaker's starting price, does that sound like a reasonable amount to be charging? I don't know much about him but his work looks pretty good. I did some digging around on the site and found a reference to BWG. Would you recommend, that's where I start? Thanks.

[Butch]

What happened to you is what I try to warn people about. Please see this: http://www.vintagezodiacs.com/watchrepair.php It is a bit long winded right now but I encourage you to read it all.

Once you read this I think you will have a better understanding of what you are getting into. As for the model, it is a 2 register chronograph. Zodiac was not keen on giving them special sickeningly sweet names like other brands. I do see it in the 1975 catalog.

[pknopp]

 The only thing I can add is that it is indeed worth putting a few hundred dollars into it. I guess I can add that BWG does come highly recommended.

[jmh86325]

The only thing I can add is that it is indeed worth putting a few hundred dollars into it. I guess I can add that BWG does come highly recommended.

on BWG service

[rdenney]

And BWG is quite fairly priced. Why spend that sum on a local watchmaker who doesn't know all the Zodiac tricks, and have access to the Zodiac parts, when a real specialist is competitive on price?

But I think this watch is worthless, so you should send it to me immediately.

Rick "wink, wink, nudge, nudge" Denney