Vintage Zodiac Chronograph "Poor Man's Carrera"

If you have your eye on vintage Heuer chronographs, but are not overly excited about the steep price tag, then "Poor Man's Carreras" are a really smart angle into what is effectively the EXACT same watch!

THE BACKGROUND

The 1960's are often referred to as the golden age of sports chronographs. It was a decade of mechanical innovation, bold style, and daring adventures on water, land, air, and space.

among those trail-blazers (particularly in the world of race car driving), was Heuer with their iconic Carerra - arguably the king of 1960's racing chronographs.

As a leader in the category, Heuer was also manufacturing chronographs behind the scenes for slightly more accessible brands like Clebar, Sears (under the name "Tradition"), and of course, Zodiac. So what you end up with, to the delight of modern-day collectors, is essentially Heuer Carerra, but at a MUCH more affordable price point - hence the nickname "Poor Man's Carrera".

So, if you have your eye on vintage Heuer chronographs, but are not overly excited about the steep price tag, then these "Poor Man's Carreras" are a smart angle into what is effectively the exact same watch.

CONDITION 

The watch is freshly serviced, with the robust Valjoux 7730 movement running like a charm. Adorned with a chrome plated case, and a silver-coloured sunburst dial, this watch is a treasure. Its also quite rare to find these watches mounted on their original bracelets, but here we have done it! Complete with the original stunning JB Champion bracelet, this watch is dressed to impress. 

The 36mm case is overall in good condition - showing some wear around the lugs where the chrome plating has subsided a little, normal for chrome plated watches of this era. Under the right-hand minute counter there is a small blemish on the dial. The lume on hour markers, and hands has aged to a stunning warm brown. Some of the tritium lume has been knocked out of the lower segment of the minute-hand, but is intact everywhere else.