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Zodiac Hermetic Automatic (Ref. 722-927), 1965 — view 1 of 6
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Zodiac Hermetic Automatic (Ref. 722-927), 1965

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Zodiac (maker)
Date
1965
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
ZHA722927
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (ZHA722927)
Catalogue title (original)
1965 Zodiac Hermetic Automatic (Ref. 722-927) (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number ZHA722927), this is a wristwatch by Zodiac, made in Switzerland, dated 1965. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) 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 # ZHA722927 Brand Zodiac Style Hermetic Automatic Model 722-927 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Silver Millimeters 30X30 Bracelet 2pc Zodiac Black Leather Strap W/ Zodiac Buckle CASE & BRACELET The unpolished and minimally worn 2pc square case is simply beautiful with every geometric angle fully intact from the factory. The case retains its original Zodiac signed crown. The case back remains virtually unworn and retains the red factory Zodiac sticker still mostly intact. The watch comes supplied on its original 2pc black leather Zodiac strap with a steel Zodiac buckle. DIAL & HANDS The untouched silver sunburst dial shows light aging present at each corner though it isn't very obvious with the naked eye. The square markers and sword hands are inlaid with onyx enamel and remain in perfect condition. ACCESSORIES

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Automatic (self-winding) watches

Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.

What to look for

  • A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
  • 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
  • A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.

Dating clues

  • Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
  • Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
  • Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.

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.

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