What is it? Need help in Zodiac part identification.

[YuriyV]

Recently bought a good collection of NOS Zodiac parts for 7x,8x caliber family. As well as some others.
Crystals, gaskets, hands, movement parts.
Among them found several I can't identify.

First one - glassine paper cover contains three pieces around 6mm long and 4.3mm in diameter. With a thread in thin tip.
Each piece has a rubber gasket corresponding to the thin tip. What is it? Valve or chronograph button?
The cover has inscription:
"Cal. 77 30
734 203"
Did not hear about Zodiac caliber 77 or 73. Any input?

Other puzzle is these crystals:
Sealed by staple with numbers on cover. Obviously it is a Zodiac case numbers: "842 888" and "902 887"
Usually, by Zodiac "recent" numbering system, the first two digits are the caliber number.
Does somebody hear about calibers 84 and 90?
The 842 888 has enormously big diameter for that time - around 34mm.
Supported by white tension ring. Which coincides with third digit in the number - 2. Which means stainless steel case.
902 887 is 34mm as well, but having TV shape with tension ring.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Butch]

Take a look at the service manuals on the other site, you should find them there. Many are interchangeable between multiple calibers.

[YuriyV]

Don't see calibers 73, 84 or 90 there. 

[YuriyV]

After Internet digging, I can suppose that the parts from glassine are chronometer buttons. And would correspond to Valjoux based movement (used by Zodiac) caliber 7730.

[Butch]

You meant pushers for a chronograph. Unfortunately we do not have any service manuals for chronographs. Off the top of my head I cannot recall any of their caliber numbers. Maybe some of the others will know.

[YuriyV]

Yes, pushers.

[Butch]

UV, any thoughts on these calibers?

[YuriyV]

Found information about 902 887. It is a Zodiac 90 which is Tag Heuer 12 caliber. One mystery is solved.

[ndpadgett]

YuriyV,

Chasing quite a few crystals for my Zodiacs. Have you got spares to sell? I am looking for crystals for the following case numbers: 764-691, 862-745, 863-910, 863-967 (need 2), 882-993, 863-977, 862-968, 882-954.

If anyone else reads this and has spares I please get in touch I would be willing to buy them.

Cheers.

[YuriyV]

Unfortunately I have none from your list. I have some sections with the numbers you are looking for in my inventory boxes. But the sections are already empty... 

[YuriyV]

BTW,
What is the case material of your 764-691? I see first time "4" in third position of the model code. In Zodiac numbering system for models, third position dedicated for the case material code. From my experience the material codes are:
0 - ?
1 - ?
2 - stainless steel;
3 - (yellow) gold plated;
4 - ?
5 - solid gold;
What is "4" for? White gold plated?
I could speculate "1" would be base metal chrome plated?

[ndpadgett]

Had  close look and I would bet that it is stainless steel. Maybe the bezel was plated with something, not sure but I doubt that would give it a different designation. Looked everywhere and there are no precious metal markings, so its not white gold. The case back itself is marked stainless steel so I doubt that would have been put onto a gold watch anyway. The only thing I can think of is that it means "stainless steel screw back". Of course there is a slight chance that it isn't originally from this watch but I doubt that, it fits perfectly. So this is a mystery for the forum. I will try to attach photographs but in case I cannot figure it out the watch is a Corsair, day / date, with a 76 movement (As per the numbers on the case back).

[YuriyV]

Indeed. Looks like SS. 

[Ultra-Vintage]

As you had guessed, those should be pushers for the 7730,7733 based Zodiac chronograph models (like the 7th picture from the left in the first row of the chronograph gallery, or 6th from the left in the second row of that gallery).  I say that not because of the numbering on the package, but because of their shape and construction.  Also, they are overall pretty short, which they needed to be because the walls of those particular chronographs are relatively thin when compared to many of the other 70s chronos.  Also, those would be for the earlier models of that style of chronograph because later variations started to use junky one-piece friction pushers (which became standard for many brands at the time). 

[YuriyV]

Thanks, UV!

[YuriyV]

Look at the lot # 222173840370, floating on eBay these days.
Offered in the lot Zodiac Astrographic has white case with "PLAQUE G 20 SAD" stamp on it and 884-953 marked case back.
We can say that case material index of 4 is for "white gold plated".
ndpadgett, would you mind to take a look (when time permits) near the lugs of your watch? There should be a markings about possible gold plating.

[ndpadgett]

Okay, has a real good look at the watch. Took the strap off and looked between the lugs, even put the loupe on it. No markings anywhere. However, the case is very shiny, almost chrome like, so it could be white gold plate but no indication / stamp on the case. The mystery is as deep as ever. I thought you had cracked it when you found the stamp on the one you looked at. You are probably still correct but I would like a bit more confirmation for the chaps with the technical knowledge on the forum.
I would also dearly love to find out what the second three figures mean in the serial numbers. Are these purely model numbers, or case reference numbers or do they give some clue to the crystals? Come on forum gods bring forth the answer!!!!

[YuriyV]

>I would also dearly love to find out what the second three figures mean in the serial numbers.

It is a case reference.
Up to 1960th Zodiac marked cases by three digit code. After they added leading digits of movement number and one digit for case material.

[ndpadgett]

Okay great, thank you, at least I now know the answer to that little mystery. I was hoping it gave some clue as to the crystal but apparently not. Now all I have to do is track down someone who would have a complete list of crystals for Zodiacs then I can go about getting a few new ones from somewhere!!!!

Thanks once again.

[Butch]

Except for some specialty models, like the Astorgraphic, crystals are the easiest thing to get. Just take the measurements of yours and call a parts house. Who want a 50 year old crystal that you may never come across?