Zodiac Astro II Gold-Plated (Ref. 1083 889), 1970s

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

When it comes to vintage watch brands, Zodiac is definitely one of the more under-the-radar options. But in the ‘50s and ‘60s, Zodiac was a highly respected challenger to brands like Rolex, Blancpain, and Tudor, mostly thanks to the iconic Sea-Wolf. And perhaps due in part to not having the same clout as some of the aforementioned brands, Zodiac was known for being a bit more adventurous, utilizing bright color schemes and unique case shapes across their offerings. This ref. 1083 889 Astro II is a perfect example of this. While the gold-plated case and bracelet aren't anything too far out of the ordinary, the dial is something else entirely. The most immediately noticeable feature is probably the crosshairs printed on the dial with the Zodiac logo right at the bullseye, but then when you look a bit closer, you realize there are no true hands here. Instead, you have a red dot acting as the seconds hand, a trapezoidal shape as the hour hand, and a sort of spout-looking shape as the minutes hand. It's undeniably '70s in its execution, and a super unique piece that'll be the talk of just about anywhere it goes. SPECS Stock # ZAII1083889 Brand Zodiac Style Astro II Model 1083 889 Serial 28XXXXX Size Men's Material Gold-Plated Stainless Steel Dial Black "Mystery" Millimeters 38 Bracelet Zodiac Gold-Plated Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The excellent gold-plated case appears to remain unpolished and retains very crisp, full, and symmetrical dimensions with minimal signs of use present. The case retains its original Zodiac-signed crown. The case back retains all of its original finishings and factory markings are clearly visible. The watch comes supplied on its original gold-plated bracelet with a signed clasp. The bracelet retains 21 links that show almost no stretch and will fit up to a 7 1/4-inch wrist. DIAL & HANDS The original black "mystery" dial is in incredibly well-preserved condition, featuring a gold outer track with minutes and hours markers in crisp black and white with no fading or marks whatsoever. The seconds hand is replaced by a red dot on a disc that orbits the black and gold Zodiac logo in the center of the dial, with the minute and hour "hands" on their own respective discs deeper in the case. All are in fantastic working order and are in as good of condition as they are interesting to look at. ACCESSORIES The watch comes with its original box. The watch is keeping time and operating perfectly, service history is unknown.