Zodiac SeaWolf Automatic Cal.70-72 c1963

Zodiac

The first flat pocket watch, launched in 1928, used the Zodiac calibre 1617 movement. In 1930, the brand designed and produced the first automatic sports watch and the popular Zodiac Autographic. The Autographic was self-winding with a power reserve gauge, an unbreakable crystal, and a radium dial and was water and shock resistant. In 1953, Zodiac introduced the Sea Wolf as the first purpose-built “dive watch” manufactured and marketed to the masses. This watch was particularly popular among American soldiers serving in Vietnam during the war. Due to its ruggedness, it swiftly became the preferred choice for service personnel.To date, the original Sea Wolf and its successor, the early-1970s Super Sea Wolf, are considered two of the most iconic commercial dive watches. With a patented crown/stem system and improved case back design, Super Sea Wolf’s water pressure rating increased from 200-meter rating to 750 meters. The 750-meter-rated Super Sea Wolf was introduced in the early 1970s and was used by the U.S. Navy SEALs.

Description

The Zodiac Sea Wolf was a pioneer in the dive watch scene. First bought to the market in 1953, the same year as the iconic Rolex submariner. The original Zodiac Sea Wolf and the 1970s Super Sea Wolf are considered to be the two most iconic commercial dive watches.

The example we have here is fully original, unrestored and untouched yet remains in remarkable condition. The dial, the very high grade calibre 70-72 automatic movement and the stainless steel case are all original and compliment each other perfectly. The fully rotatble bezel perfectly frames the off-white dial, all complete with the original, full length Zodiac signed bracelet.

The Dial

The incredible, completely original, unrestored and untouched off white dial is a typical dial for the Zodiac Sea Wolf. This dial carries stainless steel ‘baton’ hour indices which are inlaid with black which are paired with ‘triangle’ indices at 6, 9 and 12 that carry standard Arabic numerals, all of which are swept by the original black steel ‘dauphine’ hands. All completed with a perfectly proportioned date window at 3. Every one of these features adds class, style and make this watch easy to ready when on the wrist.

The dial is correctly signed with ‘Zodiac’ and ‘Sea Wolf’ at the very top of the dial below 12, along with ‘Automatic’ at the bottom of the dial above 6 and ‘Swiss T <25 mc’ at the very bottom of the dial below 6. ‘Swiss T <25 mc’ is signed on the dial meaning the watch is swiss and contains a certain quantity of tritium that emits less than 925 MBq.

As this dial is in original, unrestored condition, this has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

The movement within this watch is the Zodiac Sea Wolf calibre 70-72, 17 Jewel automatic movement which is in sparkling condition and has been fully overhauled and serviced by our vintage specialist watchmaker.

This means the movement has been completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected and rebuilt using only the correct original parts where required before careful calibration and testing. Upon returning to stock, the watch is now running to within +12 seconds per day which is truly outstanding for any vintage watch of this age! This watch movement carries a power reserve of 40 hours.

With care and with regular servicing, say every 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to run quite happily for many decades to come. We are therefore more than happy to offer this watch with our 12 months’ warranty* and to assist with servicing again in the future.

The movement is correctly signed ‘Zodiac’, ‘Unadjusted’, ‘Swiss’ along with the calibre 70-72 and ‘Seventeen 17 jewels’, along with the movement serial number 131807.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Watch Case

This case is in truly unique condition, measuring 35mm in diameter, excluding the correct unsigned crown. As mentioned above, this incredible watch carries the rotating bezel which is original to this watch. The press-fit case back carries the Zodiac brand and signature along with ‘water tested’* and ’20 ATM – Especially’, watches with 20 ATM depth (200 meters/660 ft) were designed for water sports activities such as scuba or skindiving. All the markings are crisp and clear showing this watch has never been over polished and only occasionally worn.

This watch case has been carefully inspected for fatigue marks and there are none. It has recently completed a full restoration by our team and is in excellent condition. Even under close examination, there are few scratches, dings or signs of wear visible to the naked eye, leading us to suspect that this watch has seen very little real use.

*Please note – even though this watch was specified as waterproof when new and the rubber seals have been replaced on the case-back and crown, the water-resistance of this watch has not been tested and is not guaranteed.

Inside of the case back is all correrctly signed with ‘Zodiac’ along with the reference number 722-916.

As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Bracelet

The original, Zodiac signed stainless steel bracelet is very close to perfect condition. The bracelet has simply been cleaned and lightly polished to bring it back to the condition you see here. Setting the catch to the shortest adjustment the bracelet will fit a 17.8cm wrist, then when setting the catch to the longest adjustment the bracelet will fit a 20.3cm wrist.

This watch also comes complete with the green material Military strap, therefore this watch will be sold with both this bracelet and the strap.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to c1963.

Detailed particulars will be included with our receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

This watch comes complete with a high quality double watch leather pouch.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

In Conclusion

This is a truly first class original example of a fully original Zodiac Sea Wolf.  This watch is perfect for every day / every occasion use. It will make an excellent investment and heirloom piece. Even though vintage watch prices have risen markedly of late, we still feel first class examples such as this remain undervalued. And as each year goes by and the world market for vintage watches continues to expand, prices will inevitably climb ever higher.

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We, therefore, consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage steel watches.

Thank you.