#TBT A Wonder-Packed And Unusual Zodiac Autographic Ref. 666
According to an early ’50s print ad for the Zodiac Autographic ref. 666, “No motorist would buy a car without a petrol gauge.” It’s amusing but true, I can’t help but think it’s such a witty way to put a bug (or watch) in your mind.
Zodiac stole my heart a few times in the past. My sunshine Zodiac Sea Wolf 1781W is one of the most vivid vintage watches I have ever encountered. If you are searching for a distinct and not-so-mainstream timepiece, get this orange and gray gem with a Bakelite bezel. I bet you won’t let it off your wrist for the entire summer. If you are a chrono lover, the Valjoux 72-powered Zodia-Chron Hermetic is another special piece, as is the Zodiac Sea-Chron Chronograph. If you wander around the office in dress shirts, there’s also an elegant Zodiac Hermetic with small seconds and triangular lume.
Image: Watchsteez.com
Zodiac Autographic ref. 666
Today’s hero sits somewhere in between all those. At 33mm in diameter, it’s no wrist medal, but its character makes up for what it lacks in size. The Autographic, which first came out in 1948, has a super playful dial with many details to enjoy. Its pencil-style hands match the artistic numerals perfectly. Their curly shapes make for real eye candy and are very different from the mediocre classy style of many 1950s watches.
Image: Watchsteez.com
Many styles of the Zodiac Autographic
There are many dial styles for the Zodiac Autographic. Some have lume dots for the odd hours, while some have applied metal indexes. Others, still, only have numerals for 3, 9, and 12 o’clock. The solid stainless steel case has a screw-down back and is often adorned with striking lugs styled a bit like devil’s horns.
The only Autographic for me!
I am in love with this particular model, which I spotted about four years ago when Watchsteez.com listed it. Sadly, I haven’t bumped into another example since then. Why do I love this one, exactly? Well, many Zodiac Autographic watches feel old, gloomy, and “heavy,” like they’d drag my spirit down when on my wrist. This one, though, looks light, bright, and cheerful. I’ve wondered multiple times if these nice pictures hadn’t swayed me unfairly with their portrayal of the watch’s light patina.
Image: Watchsteez.com
The spell of a power reserve indicator
I know that RJ, Lex, and Nacho are not particularly fond of the power reserve complication for self-winding watches. For me, though, it’s one of the most charming. Other complications only offer information you can check elsewhere, such as the day, date, month, moon phases, elapsed time, other time zones, and so on. But nothing else can tell you how much energy is left in your watch’s movement, and I find that incredibly magical.
Image: Watchsteez.com
Blue power reserve
The detail I like the most on this watch is the power reserve track in bright blue. I also like the positioning of it. It sits low, maybe even way too low. Some may feel it’s too crowded and a little bit off balance. I agree it’s busy down there near the 6 o’clock position but I don’t mind it. If you look at it from a bigger perspective, it has been pretty nicely counterbalanced with the branding on top.
But the power reserve indicator’s simplicity is unbeatable. There are no color gradients, markings, or fade-ins, just good ol’ numbers sitting nicely distributed over a thin arc without any specific markings at the beginning or end. You look at the tip of the hand and read the estimated time. It’s as simple as that.
Image: Watchsteez.com
Things that go “bump” in the watch
I must admit I haven’t handled a Zodiac Autographic ref. 666 yet. But I am indescribably curious about how the self-winding bumper-automatic Zodiac cal. 11A (based on AS cal. 1250) feels. One of my very first vintage watches was the Alpina Rensie with a bumper movement, and it is incredibly satisfying to wear. I don’t know how the bumper movement in this Zodiac Autographic “behaves,” but this combination of a bumper and power reserve indicator has to be real magic. If you see one of these for grabs, let me know. Happy hunting.
