1970's Vintage Zodiac Chronograph Caliber 90 / 12 Automatic Blue Panda Date TV

Built for all manner of adventure, Zodiac watches date back to 1882 when Ariste Calame founded his own watch company in Le Locle, Switzerland. A perfectionist, Calame knew that to make a great watch he had to control all facets of manufacturing--from design to the tools used to make the timepieces. The company earned an international reputation for quality and innovation over the years with several key accomplishments, including launching the first Swiss-made automatic sports watch in 1930 and the invention of a patented new system of shock resistant cases in 1974.

Over the years, Zodiac came to focus on rugged yet stylish sports watches, many with military-inspired attributes. After being purchased by Fossil in 2001, Zodiac returned to many of the vintage designs of the 1950s and 1960s when its diving watches were highly prized and its Sea Wolf model was the official watch of the Navy Seals.

From the strikingly colorful palette that infuses Zodiac's caoutchouc rubber strap assortment with a daring fashion flare to the rugged oversized cases that define the Super Sea Dragon line, today's Zodiac timepieces incorporate impeccable Swiss craftsmanship and an unerring attention to detail--just as they have every year since 1882.

Our most famous race-inspired watch, developed with all the craftsmanship, precision, technical design and high-performance elements used in real motor sports. The stainless-steel and titanium case features a carbon fiber dial with super-luminova accents. We left the lugs exposed and created pushers perforated to look like actual pedals for a truly race-inspired experience. The genuine rubber strap ensures a durable (and comfortable) fit. The case back of the Racer boasts a design based on a race car's air holes.

On 3 March 1969, the first automatic chronograph movement was introduced. This movement, nick-named Chronomatic, was developed by a joint venture of Heuer, Breitling, Buren and Dubois-Depraz. The Chronomatic was used by Heuer, Breitling and Buren under the name of caliber 11.

Cover of Swiss Watch and Jewelry Journal – nr.2 1969 

It actually started with the development of a HMS (hours, minutes, seconds) movement that got it’s power from a micro-rotor! Buren patented a micro-rotor winding system, that was called planetary rotor.

The caliber 11 automatic chronograph was used by the brands who developed it in some of the most famous wristwatches ever created. Just think of the Heuer Monaco, Heuer Autavia and Breitling Chronomatic. TAG Heuer and Breitling both have released re-issues of these groundbreaking automatic wristwatches chronographs.

This Zodiac features a further refined movement, called caliber 12.

This is a beauty. It is very rare to find a watch this old in such condition. Defiantly a collector watch. Please look at all the pictures, as they are part of the description. This is a highly collectible watch, most watches with Caliber 11 or 12. Very few left with this rare movement. Sure, to increase in value overtime, and a great addition to your collection. The condition of the watch is the same as it appears in the photos.  The watch is working  and is part of our new Certified Pre-Owned CPO Program. Contact me if you have any questions first.