***As featured on HODINKEE's Bring A Loupe***

Brand: Zodiac

Model: Autographic ref. 666 Power Reserve Automatic (Silver Dial); RARE; Swiss Made circa 1950s

Case: Solid stainless steel case with screw-down back is approximately 33mm excluding the original winding crown

Strap: 18mm handmade tan calfskin strap with matching stitching and polished stainless steel tang buckle

Movement: Zodiac cal. 11A (base AS cal. 1250) self-winding bumper automatic movement (17 jewels); power reserve display (up to 36 hours); 18,000 BPH; Swiss Made

Features: Stunning original silver dial with luminous hour markers and 36-hour blue power reserve display at 6 o'clock; original dark blued-steel handset enhances legibility; solid stainless steel case with screw-down back and cool lugs; domed acrylic crystal; rare Autographic model variation; Zodiac Swiss self-winding bumper automatic movement (serviced); nice handmade strap

Condition: Very nice original condition overall with minor honest wear consistent with age and use; sharp stainless steel case with downturned lugs appears to be unpolished with the original finishes throughout; crisp screw-down caseback remains clearly legible with a few scratches; very attractive original silver dial with original luminous hour markers and vibrant blue power reserve display; original hour and minute hands have been color matched and do not react to UV exposure (the original lume was this same color, but cracking out); new domed acrylic crystal

Other: This rare 1950s Zodiac Autographic 666 features a beautiful silver dial with luminous hour markers and innovative power reserve display at 6 o'clock. In fact, the Zodiac Autographic was described as "The World's Most Modern Watch" back then as it became the very first automatic wristwatch with a power reserve indicator. As HODINKEE once pointed out, "The function and calculation behind this innovative up-and-down indicator are thoroughly presented in a 1949 paper written by a watchmaker for the Journal Suisse d’Horlogerie et de Bijouterie, who emphasizes the necessity for having a design for a power reserve indication that doesn't interfere with the action of the main gear train, as well as the technical challenges involved in implementing a power reserve in an automatic watch."

We love how Zodiac printed the power reserve scale in blue to stand out like the dark blued-steel handset. The vast majority of other Zodiac Autographic models do not feature a separate color for the power reserve display like we see here on this reference 666. The power reserve hand moves counter-clockwise (increases) as the wearer manually winds the crown or wears the watch. As the watch runs down, the wearer can determine the remaining power reserve in real time at a quick glance. The sharp stainless steel case sits comfortably on the wrist and slides effortlessly under the cuff of a shirt or jacket. It can be dressed up with a suit and tie or worn casually with a t-shirt and jeans. If you're looking for a rare and unique vintage watch from a historic brand at an affordable price point, this Zodiac Autographic is a perfect choice. As an added bonus, the Zodiac 11A movement was just completely overhauled by our watchmaker and is ready to wear and enjoy for years to come!