In 1970 Zodiac introduced a new, original model: the Astrographic. The hands are printed on transparent discs, and a red dot for the seconds appears to float on the dial. This was to be Zodiac's last original watch: quartz watches were to become fairly commonplace, despite commendable design work with an independent designer [41].
Thanks
Most of the watchmaking archives were consulted at the Musée International d'Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds, and I'd like to thank the museum's curator, Régis Huguenin, and his team for their warm welcome. The archives of the Fédération Horlogère, Le Davoine and L'Impartial are available online at www.doc.rero.ch
[1] https://www.zodiacwatches.com/en-us/zodiac-legacy/
[2] The Swiss Watch, 1957, 7, pp 31 ss
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac_Watches#cite_note-6 consulté en février 2024
[4] Par exemple : https://expertswatches.com/pages/zodiac-swiss-1882-watches
[5] The Swiss Watch, 1957, 7, p. 34
[6] Revue Internationale d’Horlogerie, 1930, 18, p. 207
[7] Brevet CH 16959A
[8] L’Impartial, 13 avril 1972, p.17
[9] La Fédération Horlogère, 1928, 8, p.1 - Accessible sur Rero.doc
[10] La Fédération Horlogère, 1928, 8, p.7 - Accessible sur Rero.doc
[11] Journal Suisse d’Horlogerie, 1957, 5-6, pp 190-194. Accessible sur The Watch Library
[12] Brevet CH 141098
[13] Revue Internationale d’Horlogerie, 1930, 4, p. 37-39
[14] La Fédération Horlogère, 1943, 39, p. 579. Accessible sur Rero.doc
[15] In the 1950s, this stop system was modified so that stopping was achieved by pulling on the crown rather than pushing.
[16] Journal Suisse d’Horlogerie, 1957, 5-6, p. 192 - Accessible sur The Watch Library
[17] Brevets CH 260 356 et CH 280 369
[18] Journal Suisse d’Horlogerie, 1957, 5-6, p. 193 - Accessible sur The Watch Library
[19] Journal Suisse d’Horlogerie, 1951, pp 374 ss - Accessible sur The Watch Library
[20] FOSC 1945
[21] La Suisse Horlogère, 1954, 4, p. I
[22] L’Impartial, 11 Juin 1958, p.9. The composition of the CHP will subsequently vary.
[23] Journal Suisse d’Horlogerie, 1966, 5, p. 748 - Accessible sur The Watch Library
[24] La Suisse Horlogère, 1968, 1, pp 20-26
[25] L’Impartial, 15 mai 1971, p.5
[26] Interview de René Calame dans La Suisse Horlogère, Edition hebdomadaire, 1970, 23, p.861
[27] Journal Suisse d’Horlogerie, 1972, 4, p.447 - Accessible sur The Watch Library
[28] L’Impartial 20 novembre 1974, p.5
[29] L’Impartial 20 novembre 1975, pp 1 et 3
[30] L’Impartial 11 décembre 1975, pp 1 et 5. In fact, this technological lag was relative, since many quartz watches were produced in Switzerland. But American electronics companies were able to lower their prices from month to month.
[31] L’Impartial 29 avril 1976, p. 15
[32] L’Impartial 7 août 1978, p. 3
[33] L’Impartial 22 novembre 1978, p. 5
[34] L’Impartial 11 août 1989, p.4
[35] L’Impartial 27 août 1997, p.6
[36] Elle sera placée au centre du cadran à partir de 1952
[37] Journal Suisse d’Horlogerie, 1952, 1, p.39 - Accessible sur The Watch Library
[38] Journal Suisse d’Horlogerie, 1958, p. - Accessible sur The Watch Library
[39] Par exemple : https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/a679061/watches-you-should-know-1953-zodiac-sea-wolf/ consulté en février 2024
[40] Journal Suisse d’Horlogerie, 1964, 2, p.274 - Accessible sur The Watch Library
[41] L’Impartial, 1er mai 1976, p.5