Zodiac Oval Day-Date Automatic 1970s
Calibre Zodiac 76Condition — Unpolished case with visible surface scratches, original dial with light even patina
Provenance — Bought at auction online, like most of what I keep.
The oval case is what pulls my eye every time I pick this one up, since Zodiac shaped the middle case and bezel to that elongated form rather than the round tonneau most 70s automatics wear. My example has a brushed silver dial with faceted baton indices, a day-date window low at six showing "SAT 7," and hands cut to the same faceted profile as the markers. Turn it over and the Zodiac 76 automatic sits under a display back, seventeen jewels, rotor engraved with the brand's compass-star logo, and a case back showing genuine handling scuffs rather than polish marks. The crystal has some scratching and slight discolouration near the dial edge, consistent with age and no refinishing. It's on a black leather strap now. I'd point this one toward someone who wants an unpolished case shape they won't see on every other wrist, not a dress watch bought for symmetry.
Buying from a stranger, in short. Every fault I know of is in the listing, and if you find one I missed, the return stands. Take the watch to a watchmaker of your choosing before you pay — I have never once objected. Fourteen days to send it back, for any reason at all.
Privatverkauf. Everything described above — case, dial, hands, lume, rate and service history — is agreed condition for this watch and I stand behind all of it. Beyond that, the watch is sold excluding liability for material defects, as is normal between private individuals for a vintage mechanical object of this age. That exclusion does not cover anything I have misdescribed or failed to disclose, and never covers injury or intent.
Fourteen days to return it for any reason — my own promise, not a statutory withdrawal right. Terms · How I describe conditionElsewhere in the collection
