jamie weiss
It may be freezing cold in the middle of winter right now in the Northern Hemisphere, but down below we’re enjoying summer heat and blue skies (if you ignore the fact that here in the East we’ve had torrential rain for most of the last week) The Australian coast – but we also love summer storms). While diver’s watches are naturally suited to summer activities such as trips to the beach, clubbing, and riding out summer rainstorms, the Zodiac Super Seawolf Ceramic is one of the best summer watches on the market right now. There may be one. It’s a combination of gentle gelato tones, a sporty vintage aesthetic, and everyday wearability.
what is your taste?
Zodiac Super Seawolf Ceramic comes in three different flavors. A dark blue dial with light blue accents, a cream dial with orange accents, or a green dial with dark orange accents. Andrew loves creams and oranges, which he talked about in his recently published chat with James McVeigh, but I’m personally a big fan of the green model and chose it for my review. Maybe I like mint ice cream because I’m a fan of mint ice cream that I crave when the mercury starts rising, but it oozes a Miami Beach/Palm Springs/Gold Coast/sun bleached vibe. It’s also because I think it’s true. Orange is a classic dive watch color, but pair it with aquatic, seaweed-like, pastel green and shiny white ceramic? Summer is coming to your wrist.
strange structure
At less than US$2,000 and just under AU$3,000, the Zodiac Super Seawolf Ceramic is one of the most affordable ceramic watches from a genuine watchmaker on the market (i.e. not a cheap fashion watch). , lower than competitors such as Rado Captain Cook High. There is a difference of several thousand dollars between Tech Ceramic and Tudor Black Bay Ceramic. So how does Zodiac make its money? Now, unlike the other two watches I mentioned, the SSW Ceramic case is not entirely ceramic. The bezel and crown are made entirely of ceramic, while the rest of the case, including the lugs, is made of stainless steel, topped with an approximately 2 mm ceramic layer. The watch appears to be entirely ceramic from above, but flip it over to reveal the Zodiac’s tricks.
When I first noticed this about this watch, I had mixed feelings. To be generous, this is an ingenious solution to keep costs down. If you are feeling less generous, you would say that this is not a proper ceramic watch. What I mean is that most ceramic watches still have metal case backs and movement containers, and of course the movements used in ceramic watches are not made of ceramic. Interestingly, Zodiac isn’t the only brand using this case construction. The A$76,400 Chanel Monsieur de Chanel Superleggera Intense Black Edition also has a ceramic-covered steel case, so this is not what you would call a cost-cutting watch. exercise.
You might also think that SSW Ceramic is heavier than typical ceramic watches because the case is not completely ceramic. And while it’s not the world’s lightest watch, it’s actually about 20 grams lighter than Rado’s Captain Cook High. Tech ceramic on rubber strap. (The Captain Cook is certainly a larger watch, but the point remains: SSW Ceramic is not a heavyweight). Another benefit of this case design is that the lugs are still made of steel and connected to the case, so you don’t have to worry about them chipping, a common concern with ceramic watches. This is especially reassuring considering the length of the SSW ceramic lugs. This watch measures 41mm with 51mm lug to lug.
fun in the sun
I think the Zodiac’s appealing good looks are its biggest selling point, but it’s also a decent tool watch. Ceramic isn’t particularly impact resistant, but it’s scratch resistant, making it ideal for harsh underwater work and play. The knurling on the SSW ceramic bezel is also very slippery, almost sharp and even, making it easy to operate even with wet or red fingers. The large luminous area and block-shaped handset are very easy to read in the dark, it’s water resistant to 200 meters, and the STP 1-11 movement only boasts a 44-hour power reserve, but it’s COSC certified.
lastly
There is probably no other field in modern horology that is as competitive as diving watches. Zodiac is a brand best known for its diving watches. What sets Zodiac apart in this crowded market in a nutshell: Beyond its heritage and design language, Zodiac is colorful. Zodiac started the trend toward funky dive watch colors as early as the 1960s, and they haven’t stopped playing with color ever since. From taking inspiration from laser tag to popularizing rainbow-bezel skeleton watches to experimenting with stone dials, Zodiac combines bold colors, Swiss-made authenticity, and reliable specs at affordable prices. It is combined with.
The Zodiac Super Seawolf Ceramic Series embodies this. It’s fun and affordable, but it’s also a serious diver’s watch from a watchmaker that has helped develop this genre of watches. This green watch is one of my favorite summer watches. However, I don’t think there is a restriction to wearing it purely seasonally. On the other hand, if you’re feeling depleted in the winter (or anywhere outside of Australia, sorry, not sorry), strap these to your wrist and they should bring a bit of sunshine into your day.
Zodiac Super Seawolf Ceramic Price and Availability
The Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Ceramic Collection is now available in Time+Tide shops, online or in-store at Melbourne Discovery Studios. Price: AU$2,999
Brand Zodiac Model Super Seawolf Ceramic Reference Number ZO9592 (Model Tested) Case Dimensions 41mm (D) x 13.2mm (T) x 51mm (LTL) Case Material Stainless Steel with Ceramic Cap Weight 100 g Water Resistance 200 Meters Crystal Sapphire Dial Green Sunburst Lug Width 20mm Strap Tropic Style Rubber Strap with Stainless Steel Pin Buckle Movement STP 1-11, automatic, COSC power reserve 44 hours Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, date, unidirectional diving bezel Availability Available from the Time+Tide Shop Price $2,999
