Vintage c. 1960 Zodiac Rotographic Automatic

$460.00

This is a beautifully restored vintage Zodiac Rotographic automatic, freshly serviced and regulated and running well, with a warm gold presence and classic mid-century proportions. The Rotographic line captures Zodiac at its most elegant: slim, clean, and intentionally understated, with just enough dial detail to feel special without tipping into busy. With the heavy lifting already done mechanically, this is the kind of vintage automatic you can actually wear and enjoy.

Case, Dial & Aesthetic

The 34mm case is 10K gold filled with a stainless steel screwback, and it has been overplated in 18K gold as part of the restoration to revive that rich, period-correct tone. The dial is a restrained cream/silver tone with applied markers and the Rotographic signature, showing light age freckles that read as honest vintage character rather than damage. A new crystal brings the dial back into sharp focus, and the hands have been restored, replated, and re-lumed for a cohesive, correct look.

Movement: Zodiac-branded AS 1624 Automatic

Inside is a Zodiac-signed version of the AS 1624, a robust Swiss automatic movement family produced by A. Schild and used broadly across quality mid-century automatics. In 17-jewel form it is a straightforward, serviceable design that rewards proper maintenance, and this example is notably clean.

  • Movement: Zodiac-branded AS 1624

  • Winding: Automatic

  • Jewels: 17

  • Display: Central sweep seconds

Condition & Service

This watch has been fully serviced and regulated and is running well. Restoration work includes a new mainspring, new stem, and new crystal, plus a replacement vintage signed Zodiac crown. The hands were restored, replated, and re-lumed, giving the watch a cohesive presentation while keeping the overall character properly vintage.

Specs & Details

  • Brand: Zodiac

  • Model/Dial: Rotographic

  • Year (Estimated): circa 1956–1961

  • Case: 10K gold filled, overplated in 18K gold

  • Caseback: Stainless steel screwback

  • Case size: 34mm

  • Lug-to-lug: 41mm

  • Thickness: approx. 10mm

  • Lug width: 17.5mm (17mm strap)

  • Crystal: New

  • Stem: New

  • Crown: Replacement vintage signed Zodiac

Why This Watch Matters

Zodiac is best known for sport models like the Sea Wolf, but the brand's mid-century dress watches have a quiet charm that is easy to overlook until you see one this well sorted. The Rotographic name, the warm gold tone, and the clean dial furniture deliver classic 1950s/60s style, while the fresh service a means you can wear it without the usual vintage caveats. It is a great example of a practical, collector-friendly automatic that still feels special on the wrist.

This is a beautifully restored vintage Zodiac Rotographic automatic, freshly serviced and regulated and running well, with a warm gold presence and classic mid-century proportions. The Rotographic line captures Zodiac at its most elegant: slim, clean, and intentionally understated, with just enough dial detail to feel special without tipping into busy. With the heavy lifting already done mechanically, this is the kind of vintage automatic you can actually wear and enjoy.

Case, Dial & Aesthetic

The 34mm case is 10K gold filled with a stainless steel screwback, and it has been overplated in 18K gold as part of the restoration to revive that rich, period-correct tone. The dial is a restrained cream/silver tone with applied markers and the Rotographic signature, showing light age freckles that read as honest vintage character rather than damage. A new crystal brings the dial back into sharp focus, and the hands have been restored, replated, and re-lumed for a cohesive, correct look.

Movement: Zodiac-branded AS 1624 Automatic

Inside is a Zodiac-signed version of the AS 1624, a robust Swiss automatic movement family produced by A. Schild and used broadly across quality mid-century automatics. In 17-jewel form it is a straightforward, serviceable design that rewards proper maintenance, and this example is notably clean.

  • Movement: Zodiac-branded AS 1624

  • Winding: Automatic

  • Jewels: 17

  • Display: Central sweep seconds

Condition & Service

This watch has been fully serviced and regulated and is running well. Restoration work includes a new mainspring, new stem, and new crystal, plus a replacement vintage signed Zodiac crown. The hands were restored, replated, and re-lumed, giving the watch a cohesive presentation while keeping the overall character properly vintage.

Specs & Details

  • Brand: Zodiac

  • Model/Dial: Rotographic

  • Year (Estimated): circa 1956–1961

  • Case: 10K gold filled, overplated in 18K gold

  • Caseback: Stainless steel screwback

  • Case size: 34mm

  • Lug-to-lug: 41mm

  • Thickness: approx. 10mm

  • Lug width: 17.5mm (17mm strap)

  • Crystal: New

  • Stem: New

  • Crown: Replacement vintage signed Zodiac

Why This Watch Matters

Zodiac is best known for sport models like the Sea Wolf, but the brand's mid-century dress watches have a quiet charm that is easy to overlook until you see one this well sorted. The Rotographic name, the warm gold tone, and the clean dial furniture deliver classic 1950s/60s style, while the fresh service a means you can wear it without the usual vintage caveats. It is a great example of a practical, collector-friendly automatic that still feels special on the wrist.

Important Note on the Watch Band

Please note that the band pictured is NOT included with watch purchase. I generally acquire new bands for display purposes and do not include them because they vary significantly in price and many purchasers will want to obtain their own band as suits their taste.

You will need an 17mm band to pair with this watch.

However, if you are interested in purchasing the band pictured in the photos along with the watch, it will be available at or near my replacement cost as an optional add-on. If you don’t see it as an option in the listing please message me for help. I am also happy to point you to where you can purchase the exact same band directly from the seller.

If you have questions about bands or want my assistance, please message me. I’m happy to help.

Standard Disclaimer

I make every effort to ensure that the vintage watches I work on are both accurate enough to serve as practical timepieces and reliable enough to be worn and enjoyed for many years to come. That said, vintage watches are delicate and, like any mechanical device, subject to wear.

Therefore, I cannot provide any express or implied warranty for this watch, beyond the fact that it is running, and it is being sold AS IS.

Additional notes

·       Servicing and restoration followed the process described in detail here.

  • Vintage watches are delicate - particularly older models that lack shock protection. Please handle with care

  • Regardless of what it says on the case, I do not attempt to restore watches to a fully waterproof condition. Please keep this watch away from water and definitely do not submerge it.

  • If the watch is an automatic, I recommend that you use the hand wind feature sparingly to minimize wear on the automatic winding mechanism.

I do like to stand behind my work, so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any problems. I will correct any obvious defects in my workmanship free of charge and will provide lifetime service (as long as I am able) for vintage timepieces that I have restored at heavily discounted rates.

Regarding Parts Originality

I know that some collectors are very concerned with originality of parts. I will list any parts that I replace, internally or externally, in the condition notes above. I will also make a good faith effort to assess whether any of the watch parts (e.g. dial, crown or hands, etc.) may have been replaced or refinished prior to my acquisition of the watch and, if I believe it is likely they were, I will also indicate this in the condition notes above. However, I cannot make any bedrock guarantees regarding originality of parts. I work on many different watch brands and lack the deep expertise on the history of any given brand that would be necessary to do so.