It's a very nice watch - sort of an arch-dress watch almost.

As the video says the Kingline was the top dress watch line of Zodiac from around 1968 and onwards. My impression until seeing yours was that the Kinglines were only issued with hi-beat movements (36000 bph) - but as it is not mentioned on the dial or in the video, this may be an older variant. The high-beat movements was the result of a collaboration between several manufacturers and the movement provider AS (A. Schild, part of ETA today). Zodiac was part of this collaboration which specifically aimed at launching a high beat movement, that they claimed was the most precise in the world. This movement was introduced around 1968. If it's not featured in your watch it would be produced before that year, we may then assume. I do not think however, that the Kingline was introduced as early as the 1950'ies, I have not seen anything to suggest this. There were other model lines marketed in that decade, like the Glorius.

Your watch is a chronometer, ie a certified very precise watch. Zodiac in advertising material of the period claim that something like 80% of their watches would be able to obtain a chronometer status. As this was costly - an external party (today known as COSC) tested such watches for a fee - only top of the line models were certified.

I would say that it is probably as fine a watch as you may find from any major brand of the period, given the high general quality of Zodiacs of that period. Zodiac - even if a much smaller company - saw Omega as a main competitor and aimed to produce watches to match those of that brand.

Hi, My name is Jamie.

I just became a member today after I was looking for more info on my English grandfather's watch (who passed away a few years ago at the ripe old age of 99 and 363 days!! 2 days short of his 100th birthday). He lived in London and we think he bought it in the 1950s or 1960s.

A few years ago I had it restored at a watch repair company about an hour outside of Amsterdam in Netherlands (they are famous for restoring the Rolex eaten by a cow and found 50 years later, see the story here: https://dutchreview.com/news/rolex-eaten-by-cow-returned-after-50-years/).

I never thought anything more about it and enjoyed the watch and made me think of my grandfather when wearing it. Recently I thought I would try to find out more about the watch and the history and to my great surprise and joy, the watch repairer in Holland actually has a youtube channel with more than 55,000 followers, and actually made a video of my grandfather's watch when he was restoring/disassembling it, giving you a rare look inside the watch. I have copied the link for below you as I can imagine as a Zodiac enthusiast you would perhaps enjoy it too.

I also added a couple of photos. Enjoy!



If anybody can share more info (Butch has helped me already - Thanks Butch!!) I would love to hear more info on the watch.

Kind regards,
Jamie

Hi all,

After not being able to wear my Sea Wolf with a JB Champion bracelet for years because of missing end links, I've decided to make my own out of 304 stainless steel. I've just produced a set, but I need to correct the design to account for the curve at the top of the end link where it interfaces with the watch case.

Could this be the end of having to try to source original end links? Let me know what you think!

 
Working on a zodiac Cal 721 (FHF72) case number 758.  Zodiac Hermetic Aerospace Jet.  Wondering if anybody can help me with locating a caseback for this watch.  Also, I just ordered a stem but not sure what crown to get for this.  Any help is appreciated.  This has been a hard watch to find parts for.

If you check out the information tab above it explains how the brand has changed hands many times over the past 65 years. Parts, and even paperwork, are never a high priority to the new owner I am afraid.

What drives me nuts is I would be glad enough to pay them even $500+ to get it fixed. I spent $85 in shipping to send it in. I mean at least give me a estimate. I was going to buy a new zodiac for Christmas now I'm not. Its the same joke with Ducati. I bought a 1198 in 2011. Paid a good penny. Tried to take it in for service and I was told the bike is over 10 years they wont touch it? I argued ..then they gave me a price to change timing belt $3k....What?? Im losing my mind. I did it myself $300 and yes 8 hours. I'm I gonna have to buy more watch tools and just do it all myself. This all supports my wifes' logic when she says "Why are you buying (fill in blank) it will only cause you aggravation taking care of it"  I 'm beginning to think shes right. Between cars, motorcycles and watches house appliances I spend all my time researching how to fix crap. You cant even find someone to do basic home repairs. ARGH!!!!!!

Good point thanks for your honest assessment
at least both parts are vintage and probably from the same Time period.

And yeah of course I will make sure not to wear it too often and only carefully around water while washing hands etc....

Since it's from a trusted seller I expect the movement to be original. the case at least is in strong shape (like new) and and the movement also runs strong for its unknown service history as well as all chrono function are working perfectly.

But now I have to await the answer and info of the watchmaker about the movement (which company is signed on it and if it's worth the work and worth to exchange the acrylic christal with a new one)....

With just the dial changed I don't know that I would consider it a Frankenwatch, that depends on if it still has the original Croton signed movement or not.  Its not uncommon that this happens, blame it on the companies using the same chrono movement ebauches and dials of similar size/style during the era.  Like you said, still a very nice looking enjoyable watch.  Just be mindful of moisture as it is not resistant in the slightest at this point.  That is likely what ruined the original dial.

Thanks for the quick response. So you support the theory of it being a franken watch like I am also suggesting... I brought it to a watchmaker in my town to open it to provide me with some information on the movement and the inside of the case may be it will shed light on it if more stuff is croton branded it is pretty likely that it has been put together with the dial at a later point in its history. The funny thign for me is that the patina on the numbers and hands seem to match so this consistency of aging made me buy it. Nevertheless this does not mean the case and dial where born together....

And yes I know i bought it already so to late if it isnt authentic. But I will still like it and wear it never the less. Its a vintage chrono with a lot of charme on the wrist so it will get wrist time if it was originally build like that or not. I am just curious and thought i would try my luck on here... and the first response is not promising

The best odds are that it is a Zodiac dial stuck on a Croton watch.  I have seen those Zodiac dials floating around Ebay for years and clamshell watches are super at risk of getting moisture in them that damages the dial over time, so they pick up whatever dial would fit the application to get it sold.