Zodiac Panda Chronograph Valjoux 72, 1960s — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: S.Song Watches · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Zodiac Panda Chronograph Valjoux 72, 1960s

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

Maker / attribution: Zodiac (maker)
Date: 1960s
Historical period: Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Dimensions: Case 36 mm
Dealer: S.Song Watches (dealer), Seattle
Stock no.: Product 4686684717143
Credit line: Dealer listing, S.Song Watches (product 4686684717143)
Catalogue title (original): Zodiac Panda Chronograph Valjoux 72 (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by S.Song Watches (dealer), Seattle (stock number Product 4686684717143), this is a wristwatch by Zodiac, made in Switzerland, dated 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 36 mm. 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 — S.Song Watches

These days with vintage watches, it has to be said that collectors are looking for condition above all else and with this Zodiac Reverse Panda Chronograph, it ticks all the right boxes. Coming in amazing condition, this example is an absolute time capsule and not something you see every day. What makes this particular example very special is that it is powered by a high-quality Valjoux 72. Most of the Zodiac chronographs you see uses a lower quality, work-horse Valjoux 77. Zodiac, along with other brands such as Clebar and Hamilton, made a lot of similarly styled chronographs in the ’60s and 70’s with one of the most famous being their panda and reverse panda chronographs. Dubbed as ‘poor man Heuers’ due to their striking resemblance to the Carrera, collectors have been eyeing these pieces for this reason. Don’t be fooled by the nickname though, these Zodiacs are high-quality pieces with excellent dials. Sized in a 36mm stainless steel case, it is very wearable even by modern standards and the beautiful reverse panda dial really pops from the contrast.

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 timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

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
DimensionsRecorded
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: S.Song Watches (dealer), Seattle (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © S.Song Watches — 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 Panda Chronograph Valjoux 72, 1960s." S.Song Watches (dealer), Seattle, Product 4686684717143. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/zodiac-panda-chronograph-valjoux-72-1960s-9708b4.