buffy acacia
stone dial This might be the biggest trend since green dials became popular.businesses from micro-brands to high-end independents are embracing the natural materials transformation. We expect to see this kind of experimentation from both ends of the brand’s size range, but the release from Zodiac almost directly confirms that stone dials are mainstream. The company isn’t a huge brand per se, but it’s a subsidiary of Fossil, so it’s not necessarily a risk-taker. The new Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Stone Dial model is a limited edition themed around two popular stones: malachite and lapis lazuli.
dial
There’s a lot to like about these watches, but the thing I admire most is that the Zodiac Emphasizing the natural and chaotic beauty of stone. While most brands that use malachite tend to orient their bands in clean horizontal or vertical lines, Zodiac chose an undulating diagonal curvature. Of course, every piece is unique, but this is a great example. The different shades of green are formed by fluctuations in the copper as it crystallizes. In fact, much malachite is sourced as a simple by-product of copper mining. The green minute hand is a nice touch, bringing out the subtle highlights in contrast with the darker tones.
Lapis lazuli has been prized for thousands of years, and it’s easy to see why. It’s not a rare or particularly expensive stone.But lazurite’s vibrant blue and purple hues, interspersed with flecks of pyrite and calcite, are almost hypnotic to gaze upon. Since it is a diver’s watch, the royal blue color looks just like the vivid ocean seen from the sky. Both watches have a retro 60s or 70s vibe with applied indexes and hands, and are coated with Super-LumiNova for great legibility even in the dark.
case
Zodiac is best known for its vintage diver’s watchesthe Super Seawolf has been a staple of modern catalogs for many years. Blending the best of modern manufacturing and vintage design, the Super Seawolf’s long, sloping, sharp-edged lugs give it a striking silhouette. It’s clear that the Super Seawolf is designed to be an eye-catching accessory, with its polished surfaces adding to its presence and setting it apart from many other utilitarian dive watches. . The ceramic bezel insert also has a high-gloss finish with a liquid-like shine, and the first quarter has handy markers to indicate both 1-minute and 3-minute intervals. The Malachite model has a black DLC coating for added contrast and ambience, while also significantly improving scratch resistance.
The Zodiac Super Sea Wolf’s case is as large as you can get while still fitting comfortably on most wrists, which is a delicate balance to strike. The 40mm diameter gives the stone dial plenty of room to stand out, and the downward angle helps, although the lug-to-lug length is a little sketchy at about 49mm. Although it is 14mm thick, It’s a 200m diver’s watch Since it is an automatic movement, there are no shocks. The crown is not protected in the spirit of vintage style, but is screwed down to prevent it from opening accidentally underwater.
movement
Swiss Technology Production is the Swiss movement division of Fossil Group and has achieved quite a reputation in recent years. STP1-11 had occasional problems and was later discontinued and replaced by STP1-21. The latter is the powerhouse of the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf, and while the upgraded tuning has reduced the power reserve slightly to 40 hours, the automatic winding is still more than enough for daily wear. Essentially, it’s a functional clone of the ubiquitous ETA 2824 with a 4Hz beat rate that gives the seconds hand a smooth sweep. The estimated factory accuracy average is within -0/+15 seconds per day, which is very impressive. The case back is well made and is embossed with Zodiac’s distinctive logo.
bracelet
With its stone dial, the Zodiac Super Sea Wolves doesn’t need more luxury, but the inclusion of a Jubilee-style steel bracelet certainly adds to the luxury. Whether it’s plain in the lapis model or painted black in malachite, this bracelet feels more like jewelry than just functioning as a strap, and it feels like the right choice for this kind of watch. . This shows that elegance is strongly considered despite functioning as a real diver. The butterfly clasp also contributes to this, milled from solid steel to reduce bulk under the wrist, but without the versatility of a diving-style clasp.
judgment
Zodiac Super Sea Wolf is a proven formula in a variety of color combinations, and the addition of natural stones is also one of the secrets to success. The decision to go with a black DLC while referencing malachite was a great one, as it really differentiates its dark properties from the more classic and versatile lapis lazuli. The size and styling are all perfect and I struggle to spot even the smallest details. It’s a shame that each is limited to 300 pieces. I hope Zodiac continues to experiment with other stone dials in the future..
Zodiac Super Seawolf Stone Dial Collection Pricing and Availability
Each Zodiac Super Sea Wolf with malachite or lapis lazuli dial is limited to 300 pieces. Price: $2,095 (lapis), $2,295 (malachite)
Brand Zodiac Model Super Seawolf Case Dimensions 40mm (D) x 14mm (T) x 49mm (LTL) Case Material Stainless Steel (Lapis Lazuli)
Stainless Steel with Black DLC (Malachite) Water Resistant 200 Meters Crystal Sapphire Dial Lapis Lazuli
Malachite strap stainless steel Jubilee style bracelet, butterfly clasp Movement STP1-21, automatic power reserve 40 hours Functions Hours, minutes, seconds Availability Limited to 300 pieces each Price $2,095 (lapis)
$2,295 (Malachite)
