Vintage Zodiac Astrographic Automatic Mystery Dial Black Date 36mm 1970s Watch

About this watch

A vintage Zodiac Astrographic, one of the most recognisable designs of the space-age era. Its "mystery dial" has no markers at all: the hands are printed on transparent discs, so they appear to float over the matte black dial with nothing holding them in place. This example has silver baton hour and minute hands, a slim seconds hand with a red arrow tip, a framed date window, and is signed "Zodiac", "Astrographic Automatic" and "Swiss Made". The round 36mm stainless steel case has a black cabochon crown and a caseback stamped with the Zodiac logo, and the watch is fitted on a black leather rally-style strap with round holes.

Brand heritage

Zodiac was founded in Le Locle, Switzerland, in 1882 by Ariste Calame, and is best known for the Sea Wolf dive watch of 1953. The Astrographic was introduced in 1969, the year of the first Moon landing, as a tribute to the space age; its floating, disc-mounted hands made it one of the most distinctive watches of its time.

Why this one is special

• Genuine vintage Zodiac Astrographic with the famous floating "mystery" hands
• Clean, minimalist black dial with no markers, a true 1970s design icon
• Self-winding automatic Swiss movement with date
• Very wearable 36mm size, on a period-style black leather rally strap

Specifications

• Brand / Model: Zodiac Astrographic Automatic
• Case size: 36 mm
• Movement: Swiss automatic (self-winding), date
• Case: stainless steel, round, black cabochon crown, caseback stamped with the Zodiac logo
• Dial: matte black "mystery" dial with floating silver baton hands, red-tipped seconds hand and date window; signed "Zodiac - Astrographic Automatic - Swiss Made"
• Strap: black leather rally strap with round holes and steel pin buckle
• Era: circa 1970s

Condition

Pre-owned vintage condition with normal signs of wear: scratches on the case and caseback, light marks on the dial and crystal, and wear on the leather strap. Please check all photos carefully as they are part of the description.
Working at time of listing.

What's included

The watch on its strap and a wooden presentation box (not brand-signed). No papers.

Shipping & Returns

Free shipping with DHL from Cairo, Egypt.
30-day returns, buyer pays return shipping.