THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: ZODIAC
MODEL: SEA WOLF
YEAR: c1960
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 36mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

The 1960s and 1970s were a golden era for dive watches—a time when many of the most iconic models were introduced and when the genre truly came into its own. This period saw not only rapid advancements in watchmaking technology but also a cultural fascination with exploration and adventure.

Looking back, the Rolex Submariner, Omega Seamaster, and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms were perhaps the poster children of this era—and now have the price tags to match their fame. However, this period also saw the emergence of other noteworthy dive watches, including the Doxa Sub 300, the Bulova Devil Diver, and, in this case, the Zodiac Sea Wolf. These are brilliantly made watches with unique design languages, yet they can still be acquired for very reasonable prices.

Zodiac's history traces back to 1882 in Switzerland. In 1953, the brand launched the Sea Wolf, one of the first dedicated dive watches, alongside the Submariner and Fifty Fathoms. This particular example dates back to the early 1960s and gained wider recognition some 50 years later when it was featured in the 2007 movie Zodiac. In the film, the Zodiac Killer owned this exact variation of the Sea Wolf, and the Zodiac logo even inspired his signature symbol.

The watch remains in excellent condition—the tritium lume on the markers and hands has developed a warm, creamy patina. The case is still sharp and wears extremely slim on the wrist. The movement is running well at +5 s/d, with a 265-degree amplitude and a 0.3 ms beat error. It comes with its original box. A fun and historic diver, perfect for British summertime.