Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 53 - A Kitchen Table Review

Kitchen table watch review #3, so named as I do them at the kitchen tabel, photography and all.

Founded in 1882, Zodiac was the first company to offer a dedicated purpose-built diver's watch manufactured and sold commercially.This reboot of the historic model from 1953, is a very close recreation to the original. What first attracts you are the different triangular markers at 12, 3, 6 & 9 and the very balanced nature of the dial due to the lack of a date window, another nod to the original. The both use dauphine hands with Supoer Liminova luminous material, albeit the original has a line running through the center of the watch while the contemporary does not.

The review sample features a blue dial that is quite lovely in person (please excuse my use of an iPhone 6S for photos) and the color matched bezel adds to the design. This is a change from the original as it had a simple steel bezel while the new features a mineral crystal bezel backed by a colored disk. The crystal is a domed sapphire so is an update. Another change is the crown that is updated from the simple original cylinder to one with a half shere topping a serrated ring. The case measures 40 mm so is size appropriate for the vast majority wrists, including my 8" wrist.

This reference features three segment links with the outside edge of the first and third links recessed slightlt from the center, almost giving the appearance of five link, s. Mat finishing of the stainless steel case, rated to 20 AT, is carried through for the bracelet. The deployant clasp lacks a divers extension and the safety lock is very stiff which does not add to the pleasure of operating it, however wearing the watch is comfortable.

The movement is the "in house" STP 1-11, an ETA 2824-2 clone, built by Swiss movement speciallist Swiss Technology Production, a subsidiary of the Fosil Group, the same owner as Zodiac. Regaulated in five positions, the movement returns admirable rates on the wrist, running ahead by a few seconds after 24 hours. While it is not COSC certified, it runs similarly to one that is.

Which brings us to value. IMHO, it is slighly over priced at the MSRP of $1,495, but if you can fine one at a discount, the bigger the better, it is worthy pick up.