Zodiac Chronograph (Ref. 842-888) "Valjoux Cal. 7734", 1970s — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Craft & Tailored · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Zodiac Chronograph (Ref. 842-888) "Valjoux Cal. 7734", 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Zodiac (maker)
Date: 1970s
Historical period: Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Dealer: Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles
Stock no.: ZCH842888
Credit line: Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (ZCH842888)
Catalogue title (original): 1970s Zodiac Chronograph (Ref. 842-888) "Valjoux Cal. 7734" (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number ZCH842888), this is a wristwatch by Zodiac, made in Switzerland, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

SPECS Stock # ZCH842888 Brand Zodiac Style Chronograph Model 842-888 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Grey, Black, Red Millimeters 40 Bracelet Stainless Steel Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The handsome and large cushion-style case is in excellent condition, exhibiting light evidence of previous polishing with the original dimensions and finishing preset. The pump pushers and unsigned crown are original to the watch. The watch comes supplied on a generic stainless steel bracelet that will fit up to a 7 3/4-inch wrist. DIAL & HANDS The original Grey, black, and red exotic dial is near-perfect, showing no damage and only nominal age throughout. The tritium lume plots have achieved a beautiful golden patina and exhibit no degradation when inspected under UV light. The original tritium hands have taken on a darker patina than the dial, which is common, and under UV light inspection the hands feature some superficial cracking in the lume but remain stable. ACCESSORIES

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsNot in source
DimensionsNot in source
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Craft & Tailored — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Zodiac Chronograph (Ref. 842-888) "Valjoux Cal. 7734", 1970s." Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles, ZCH842888. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/zodiac-chronograph-ref-842-888-valjoux-cal-7734-1970s-ff8fab.