A 1970's automatic, stainless steel, large sized dive watch by Zodiac. This watch was part of the 'Sea Wolf' line originally launched by Zodiac in 1953. A well loved watch among the diving community, in 1959 the Sea Wolf was part of a group of watches tested by the US Navy Experimental Diving Unit along with famed rivals such as the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, and the Rolex Submariner, such was its appeal and reputation within the diving community. Although the Blacnpain eventually won out, the fact that this watch was considered was very much a feather in the cap for the popular watch.
This watch was developed for deeper dives, and so incorporates a much thicker, screw back, case with a toughened, thicker crystal. The crystal is original, and does have a couple of scratches, but nothing that detracts overall. These cases were able to withstand greater atmospheric pressure, hence the depth rating on the dial was increased to 75 atmospheres. The crystal has a very industrial looking ring closure on the top, surrounded by a bi-directional dive timing bezel, timing up to an hour. All of which gives a real "tool watch" feel. The large screw down crown helps seal the watch while diving. The case is quite possibly unpolished, showing very few signs of wear. Very often, being such tool watches, they are heavily worn. This is a fine example with great chamfers to all the edges and no major dings, with the original sunburst, matte finish to the top of the case in tact and scratch free.
The movement inside this thick case is an automatic caliber 70 72. A Swiss made caliber based on the A Schild calibers 1687/1688. This seventeen jewel movement was a joint development of Doxa, Eberhard, Favre-Leuba, Girard-Perregaux, and Zodiac. The '70' and '72' stood for automatic and automatic with date. This model could also be found with day of the week, and was also upgraded to include a quick set date function. Being an earlier example, this watch is not.
The radium of early Sea Wolf models, as with all Swiss watch makers, was replaced by the Tritium luminous material. The dial is marked 'Swiss t < 25 MC' just below the six o'clock marker. The dial itself has turned tropical, and when the sun catches it it turns a beautiful brown, with different gradients throughout it. The lume plot surrounds, which were orange when new, have also turned tropical over time, blending very well with the overall look of the dial. The very distinctive hand set on these watches is all white. Unlike some that are orange and white, this has an 'albino' set. Under UV light they glow similarly to the markers, and hold the light for a similar period of time. It is possible the hand set is a later replacement, however, they are the correct hand set for the watch, and perhaps could have been changed for aesthetic purposes to be all white upon ordering the watch.
The Zodiac company were bought out from Japanese ownership in the early 2000's by the Fossil Group, and subsequently have re-introduced many of these very popular early diver models. This Super Sea Wolf is no exception. The watch is now known as the "Super Sea Wolf 68 Saturation". Making these hard to find originals in increasing demand.
