Gerarld Genta Zodiac Kingline

[Cobber]

 I hope I got somebody's attention with that subject title. 

Please have a look at eBay item number;

192229773147

The Spanish 1977 catalog has this as a Kingline Automatic on page 7 and I am absolutely obsessed with it right now.
The main items holding me back on this are;
1)  rivets in bezel do not match screws in catalog photo
2)  missing screw in case back
3)  at least one missing screw in bracelet

My concerns are that some of the bezel screw holes were stripped at some point (gold is soft) and some clever watchmaker incorporated a rivet pattern as substitute. This is also my concern for the bracelet and case back.  Replacing screws could require retapping  and/or be very expensive.  That being said, this design has many of the hallmarks of a Genta design.
The bracelet is likely a one off design for this model only.   And that being said..., it's a seriously cool design.

If anybody has any info on this model please post as the catalog gives zero description. The only acknowledgment of its existence is the one catalog's photos.  I suspect this model was made for at least a couple years.  The item on eBay has a different bezel/dial combo than what is shown in the catalog.   Also, a similar model with a different bracelet appears on the cover of the catalog indicating to me that Zodiac had high hopes for this design line.  Of coarse we're missing 1976, 78, and 79.

Of curious note to me, I guess this represents the era Zodiac first started using fixed dot dial signifiers.   I had always thought this was a Monnier invention but looks now to have started under the Calame era.

Of further curious note to me, I just became aware that during the 1975 era Trauner was importing Vacheron Constantin as well as Zodiac. A letter to some Zodiac dealers introducing their new sales rep indicatied as much. This letter can be found  posted along with the 1975 catalog. This is interesting to me for the long standing belief, which may or may not be true,  that Genta designed Vacheron's 222.  I should say it's mostly been debunked but interesting none the less.

In any case, food for thought...

[YuriyV]

I believe, the crown is a replacement as well...

[Cobber]

Come on Yuri, I had high hopes for you!  Is that all you got?

Here's another one I found with a suspect dial and different bracelet (not as interesting in my opinion);

https://www.chrono24.com/zodiac/kingline-red-dot-king-line-automatic--id5625873.htm

This one does give you a good look at the bezel screws and the case profile.
Seriously thin for an automatic.

[YuriyV]

It is what I'm doing at the moment. 
Googled "Zodiac Kingline". Still reading. I was completely unfamiliar with this model line...

[YuriyV]

Agree, screws on bezel seriously mangled.
Crown is definitely not original.
Wondering about movement. I think Zodiac was continue on using 70-72 family that time. I'd speculate there is caliber 78. Since Kingline was high beat model.

[Cobber]

Curious about movement as well.  So many of the Kinglines were chronometer grade and marked as such on the dial.

[joeabroad]

A non-date version for comparison:

192542266521

[Cobber]

Saw that one two but didn

Odd, my full comment did not post. Regarding non date version; the stingray dial does not appeal to me at all but for the right price would make a great parts watch.  Bezel is nice and all screws front and back seem to be there.