Vintage Restoration Completed!

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28800bph
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Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by 28800bph »

My father-in-law gave me his vintage Zodiac over the holidays. Thanks Dad! It is circa 1971.

At the time he was serving on the USS Constellation:
Image
Constellation underway off Vietnam, 1971–72

He started out by getting a mechanical alarm watch -- he accepted it in lieu of repayment on a debt from another sailor. Then one day he was standing in the chow line when a sailor he didn't know saw it on his wrist and offered to trade his Zodiac. They swapped watches on the spot. It was a daily wear for many years until the chrono pushers fell off and it stopped keeping time.

It looked like a perfect candidate for restoration. I found the movement is a Valjoux 7732 rebadged as a Zodiac Calibre 84. I sent it off to my watchmaker. He took a half day from delivery to provide a quote. Then he shipped it back to me 5 business days later. Fully restored, serviced, and regulated. Nice! I put it on a Horween Shell Cordovan strap (Nick Gabarro). It's a very special watch to me and my family. When my son is old enough, he will get this one.

Here is before and after.

BEFORE:

Image

Image

Image

AFTER:

Image

Image

Image
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Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

What a superb looking restoration and a gorgeous watch! :thumbup:
Well done - a treasured family heirloom in the making! :clap: :clap:
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Re: Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by scooter »

Now I do like the look of that.

Congratulations.

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Re: Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by Jape »

Great restoration! :) I do like the look of that watch. It looks quite fresh and one can't really believe it's so old. The story behind it is interesting, too.
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Re: Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by Dancematt »

Great story and beautiful watch. Well worth doing on looks alone. Makes me wonder what people will hand down to their next generation from their current collections.
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Re: Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by Leo David »

The history behind the watch is fantastic and the watch and superb restoration adds up to make a great and very personal family heirloom. I know you'll treasure it. The watchmaker/restorer deserves a pat on the back too. Fabulous job :clap:
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Re: Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by asqwerth »

Very beautiful watch and great job by the watchmaker. Cool story as well.

How big is the case diameter, if you don't mind me asking?
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Re: Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by amleto »

nice watch and nice restoration :thumbup:
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Re: Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by xtriple »

That's lovely. I bet you are proud to have it back in working order and will wear it with honour and love. Nice to have a "family heirloom" on your wrist.
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Re: Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by Kip »

Well done Sir.

Nothing like a family watch with provenance to share. History has been restored to full glory.

Be proud! :thumbup:
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Re: Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by alphajet »

Congratulations a lovely looking watch and a great family heirloom. :D
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Re: Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by footycrazy »

A cracking job, beautifull. :clap:
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28800bph
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Re: Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by 28800bph »

Thanks for the nice comments!
asqwerth wrote:How big is the case diameter, if you don't mind me asking?
It is 36mm without crown. My wife said she wants to wear it.
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Re: Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by downer »

It is a lovely watch. I cannot believe what these restoration guys can achieve! :)
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Re: Vintage Restoration Completed!

Post by Wis »

Looks stunningly beautiful. :clap: :clap: Well done.
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