I have just purchased (which has not arrived yet) a Zodiac Red Dot Diver along with a group of other watches. My question is what can you tell me about the Red Dot Diver. I have been collecting watches for about 15 years and know nothing about this particular watch, i.e. what is the significance of the Red Dot on the dial and does it serve a purpose and in terms of parts is it possible to replace the rotating bezel? Thank you. Bob

Bob,

The Point series was around in the 1990s, maybe as early as the '80s.  Zodiac used the system for ascending price bracket sports watches in their line.   The Red Point was seemingly the more common workhorse level  (but darned well made, nonetheless), the Silver Point was the next sep up, and the Gold Point was supposedly the top of the line.  Each had was denoted by a dot on the dial in the corresponding color.  The Sea Wolf line also acquired a blue dot on the dial in that time period, they retained the Sea Wolf model name on the dial. 

When I first saw Zodiacs in jewelers in Cincinnati, they were all Point models except for the Super Sea Wolf.  I think the point series were the brainchild of Willi Monnier, who had been part of TAG Heuer previously, and the Red Point and Silver Point divers and GMTs had a decidedly TAG family resemblance.   If I recall correctly, they were marketed here (USA, midwest) as being equivalent to a TAG, but at about a $100 lower price point.  To my mind at least, they were also better looking than the TAGs.

In spite of the ascending price levels, the only Point series watches I've seen with an automatic movement have been Red Points - ETA 7750 powered chronographs and the odd Red Point automatic diver.  I have 2 of the Red Point automatic chronographs myself, a black and a blue dial, both keepers.

Butch probably has much more information.

You are correct on all points John.

I can look it up in a 90's catalog if I have the model number off it.

Bezels, HA! Next question?

Thank you!!
My best, BOB

Quote from: Butch on August 31, 2009, 02:18:49 PMYou are correct on all points John.

I can look it up in a 90's catalog if I have the model number off it.

Bezels, HA! Next question?

Is it possible to put a bezel from a quartz red dot onto an automatic?

I would not think so as they are different case numbers, but I have never tried either. Perhaps someone else will weigh in.

I have never tried to swap the bezels from the quartz and automatic models on the 90s Zodiacs.  Could it be possible, maybe, but putting money towards trying it would be at your own risk. From experience I can tell you that much of the way that era of cases were made does not make sense.  In theory, the quartz and automatic models could have the exact external dimensions and just differ on the internal space needed for their respective movements.  However, that is not how they always did things.  A small change internally could mean a fraction of a millimeter difference on the outside and all the sudden things do not match up.  On many of those models they used the same style crown, at least from outward appearance.  However, on the men's models there are actually 4 or 5 different crowns that look nearly identical but vary .1 to .5 mm in size or have a different type of tube or tube size so they will not interchange.  Couple all that with the lack of spare parts already for the 90s models and it gets to be a real hassle.

Thanks for weighing in on this BWG!