Is it morally acceptable to restore vintage watches to a condition that may misrepresent their original state? Given that restoration can enhance value and appeal, where should we draw the line between preservation and alteration? What impact does this have on collectors' perceptions and the integrity of the vintage watch market?
 
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Caught this on Ebay a few days ago and won it last night.  It's a Sears manual alarm watch. (don't know anything about them just thought it looked cool).  BUT, when I was looking through the pictures, was shocked to see that it was on a Zodiac stamped band that I'm pretty sure is a 60's JB Champion stretch-link bracelet!(not sure exact nomenclature or name of the style).   

I was hoping to find the right time period band for the 1960's Datographic that my father gave me and I might have done it without spending over $500 or more as I have seen some offered online.   Think it was a pretty good score!   Looks like someone may have filed the end links down some to fit the Sears watch but hoping it will fit the Sea Wolf.     Even seller mentioned at the end of the item description that they just noticed that it was on a Zodiac band after they listed it.

I was hoping no body else would be interested and my $50 bid held for 5 days until the last few minutes of the auction when someone started sniping, but I got it in the end for around $130 but I'm good with that since it still has a cool, working manual alarm watch on it too.

Thanks SW!

Updated to SMF 2.1.5.

Let me know if anyone runs into any issues.

Thanks!

Have you considered a strap/band instead of a bracelet? I have seen an Astrographic with a blue strap, looks like suede but probably isn't. Looks really cool (but it is an original Zodiac strap after all, that does help).

A SeaWolf on a steel Zodiac bracelet was more expensive than those that were sold on a tropical strap. In my father's Zodiac agency, the majority of SeaWolves were sold on straps, our country being less affluent then than today and certainly less than the US was. It seems reasonable enough that at the retail end (my father's company was a wholesaler) you would offer customers whatever solution they preferred. If you liked a bracelet more, but found the original to expensive, a non-branded one may have been the compromise. Another angle altogether is that the policy of the US importer (Trauner Inc.) may have differed from that of my father. Could have related to the specific market or import taxes or some other aspect, we don't know of.

Recently realized that what I though was a replacement bracelet on my Dad's early 1960's Sea Wolf may actually be the band that came with it when he bought it at the NEX/PX in Pensacola around '63.   I just assumed there hade been a zodiac branded one that he may have swapped out but he said as far as he can remember he never changed it out so is that the case?   Were Spidel bracelets being used on new Zodiacs at the time?  I've seem some twist o flex ones on Zodias (have one on my Hermetic) but was curious about my' Dad's watch band.

I like the look of it but it is like 1.5 inches too short!   Pops was alot smaller back then!  I have found the exact same bracelet that I picked up on ebay that looks to be full size or I can steal links and add em.   What do ya think?   Last pic is the new one thats still in mail.

Watch is currently with Andy being serviced and getting a new crystal.  Can't wait to see it and will post pics here when I get it back.

Of course!   I'll bet YOU have several of these eh Butch?    Post a pic of all of your Astrographics together!

Nice specimen, thanks for sharing!

Just purchased today! An absolutely BEAUTIFUL Zodiac Astrographic SST. Found it by chance a few weeks back at a pawn shop I just happened to randomly check out. They had just gotten it in and were sending it for service before selling. (worked out well as I got the name of a local watch maker/repair that they and several high end local jewelers use). Got back in contact once they had it back and decided to pull the trigger! Paid $350 for it and feel it was well worth it (spoke to the watch guy that serviced it and he said it was perfect inside, zero issues and now with new service!).

Original Zodiac H-Link bracelet is too small (need like 2 more links...anyone....anyone......Bueller....anyone?) but had an aftermarket (still stamped with Zodiac logo) that fits it perfectly.

Not an easy watch to read with out glasses or with a glare but deff a nice statement/conversation piece!