Zodiac SeaWolf
Zodiac SeaWolf
The first diver’s watch with a rotating bezel
The Zodiac Sea Wolf was announced at the Basel Fair together with the Fifty Fathoms from Blancpain in 1953. Both are credited with being the first commercially available diver’s watch. However, the Zodiac was rated at 10 atmospheres (339 feet) and was more highly rated than the Blancpain 50 fathoms (300 feet).
Version 1a - 1950s SeaWolf with CountDown Bezel
Ref:699
Movt:AS1700
The 1953 issues had an external bidirectional steel bezel. This is signed 10 Atm (339 feet) below the Zodiac logo, and name Zodiac, but has a plain screw-down case back. The dial has numerals at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 with fluted indices elsewhere. The numerals have been inked over. The bezel is elapsed time basis, with numerals at 45, 30 and 15. The hands are broad lumed Dauphine shape with no centre line. The serial numbers of metal bezel models generally run from 122xxxx to 192xxxx The case back is engraved “ZODIAC SEAWOLF WATER – TESTED 10 ATM ESPECIALLY” along with the Zodiac emblem. Zodiac used A. Schild movements and the 17 jewel AS1624 was used by Zodiac and Ernest Borel.
Version 1b - 1950s SeaWolf with Numbered Triangles
A later model 699 had the count down bezel but the dial now had triangular indices at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock with applied numerals inserted into the lume.
