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Gifted a Sea-Chron and Autographic

Started by Kunstenaar, November 06, 2015, 09:18:36 AM

Kunstenaar

Hello! New to the forum but have been reading up on the pages for a few weeks.

I'm more of a vintage Rolex connoisseur, but over the Summer my father gifted me two of his old and non-working Zodiacs that he was just about to throw in the rubbish bin.  :what

One, is what I take from the forum to be a fairly uncommon silver bezel Sea-Chron on a Zodiac marked Kreisler Stelux bracelet (original to the watch I believe?) and the other is a 1950s Autographic.

My father is a retired US Naval Officer so I think the Sea-Chron was probably a PX purchase and the Autographic was a high school graduation present from his father. Some great family heirlooms there I think.

Both are now off for repair/restoration here in the UK, so hopefully I will be able to post some before/after shots at a later date.

...so two more Zodiacs rescued from an all too early demise!

Butch

Good job that! VERY nice specimens. Welcome aboard.
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Kunstenaar

Thanks Butch!

I'm informed the Sea-Chon is under restoration this week, and has been taken to bits for cleaning and reassembly. All is supposedly well inside the movement so it should clean up well. Cant wait to see it working again.

Also, while digging through some old family photos I have found a picture of my father clearly wearing the Sea-Chron. c. 1974.
Fun to see the watch in its era! I've attached a crop of the shot for everyones amusement.

Butch

Sweet! Dunno what I like more... The watch? The PANTS!?! Or the wood paneling!

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NewOldStock

I saw a Sea-Chron exactly like that for sale on eBay a while ago -- was that yours? Interested in selling it?

incountry

Nice watches!  I'm looking forward to seeing the after pictures.   :twothumbsup

Kunstenaar

#6
Quote from: NewOldStock on January 17, 2016, 04:15:32 PM
I saw a Sea-Chron exactly like that for sale on eBay a while ago -- was that yours? Interested in selling it?

Originally, yes I was going to potentially sell it for my father, but after doing all the research on the forum and the family history of the watches, no I think they'll stay in the family for now. Half the joy is the hunt so good luck in your search!

Quote from: incountry on January 20, 2016, 09:25:35 PM
Nice watches!  I'm looking forward to seeing the after pictures.   :twothumbsup

Me too! Hopefully soon I'll have them back to show everyone. I recently found a 1950s family picture showing the Autographic in its era. Will post when I get scans done.

Kunstenaar

Ok as promised here is a family shot of my father wearing the Autographic in its original era - c.1959.

Both watches are now cleaned & restored and on the bench doing their accuracy and timing tests. Hope to have the 'after' shots here for everyone in the next week.

...see the problem with these forums and family researching is that before the autumn I was a Rolex guy... now I'm becoming a Zodiac guy!  :yeller :helpme

Kunstenaar

Ok, as promised here is the 'after' shots of the Sea-Chron. Just got it back and am over the moon with it!
:woohoo;

(Autographic pics to come later)


NewOldStock

Congrats, looks amazing. Enjoy it! (And let me know if you ever decide to sell.... ha.)

Kunstenaar

Quote from: NewOldStock on February 08, 2016, 02:49:02 PM
Congrats, looks amazing. Enjoy it! (And let me know if you ever decide to sell.... ha.)


Thanks! Ha! Yes, family watch... "From my cold dead hands" and all... :)

And slightly later than planned the 1950s Autographic back from restoration. Looking classy I think!


Blubarb

 :twothumbsup

Well done! Glad you grabbed them before they hit the bin! I don't like to think on the number of Zodiacs that met their demise at the bottom of a dumpster.  :sici

Congrats on doing the right thing as well, lovely family heirlooms.

Cheers
John

jmh86325


"Thanks! Ha! Yes, family watch... "From my cold dead hands" and all... :)"


no problem...I can wait... :twothumbsup


but really...congrats, very very nice



incountry

Your watches look great!  Enjoy them.   :twothumbsup

Kunstenaar

The gentleman who restored these two Zodiacs also has a very interesting blog page. He has kindly written up a great little article about the Sea-Chron and getting her back to life.

http://thewatchspotblog.com/?p=4778

Enjoy!

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