I got a hankering for a moonphase watch. I would love an Omega but they are a bit more money than I want to spend. I really like the looks of the vintage Zodiac's.

Butch that runs the Zodiac site seems like a good guy but the site overall is pretty slow. Besides, I would like an outside opinion. I understand that service wise they are more of a problem finding parts.

Or anything else in a moonphase in a sub 4 figure range that one might recommend?

 

The older & lesser known names (Vulcain, Leonidas, Record) made triple date moonphase watches in the 40's and 50's. Most of them used the similar movements - maybe rebadged Felsas?

Search "moonphase" on eBay and you'll find hundreds to sort through. If you want to find a modern one, many companies put modules on top of ETA 2892's. Revue Thommen can usually be found pretty cheaply. One warning - these can be costly to service.

 

Butch at the Zodiac forum warned me of that. I'm pretty much only interested in a vintage one.

 

This may seem odd as I may be the only person not a fan of pushers sticking out of a watch. I prefer clean and basic. It's one thing I liked about the Zodiac. The pushers are flush. Yes, harder to use but I like the look far better.

 

Those " flush pushers" are actually correctors for the day, date, moonphase, and month. The pushers are for the chronograph functions.

.... and you're not the only one who prefers clean and classic. Most times I don't even want a second hand on my watch.

 

The flush pushers also gum up quite quickly. At least the ones that stick out are sheilded some what. There are many many "triple date/moonphase" watches out there, many used the same movements "Felsa" these AFAIK were the manual wind ones. Zodiac has both manual wind and automatics, calibre 74 which I believe was a modified A. Shild movement like several of their other automatics.

 

Thanks for the proper wording on the correctors. I was warned that they have a tendency to stick.

 

Some more triple date moons.

Zodiac - AS 1402

Rodania - Venus 203

No Name - Valjoux 89

Buren - Buren 382

 

Thanks. The Zodiac is the one I've been looking at. I like the black face on that one. The Buren is interesting even though I know nothing about it. Basically I've taken that these are all basically the same movement?

 

No, these movements have nothing at all in common they are mechanically unrelated parts are not interchangeable.

Buren is the company along with Hamilton, Heuer, and Breitling which developed the chrono-matic micro-rotor automatic
chronograph movement in the late 1960s.

 

O.K. Thanks

 

I was looking around at some Triple Dates, and Felsa does indeed make an automatic. The Zodiac's used there own modified movement from what I have seen.

 

I'll look up Felsa, thanks.

Really liking this Omega but too rich for me.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380509873312?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

That's currently what I'm leaning towards.

 

Kyle,
I would be interested to see what they have and are asking. Only two holes in Zodiac collection now, a Triple Date and an Olympos. Just sent the last three off for service.

 

Thanks

 

Hello!
I just recieve my white sw from watch maker. What do you think about this bezel with nickel plated?) I think its early 60 years model. Run good.
I will take in a few days original stretch bracelet to them and also show photos