Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Review - $1000 Swiss Option
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- Today's review is the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf. 200m of water resistance in a 40mm case. The colors are bold, the details are nice, the movement is dialed in nicely. Not to mention it has a swan neck regulator which is uncommon for this price. I've really enjoyed this one. Don't sleep on this model if you are looking into good divers at the $1,000 price point.
For those interested in a quote-
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Bezel is mineral crystal, not sapphire.
Wholesome level is off the charts! Love the shots with the family. It’s realistically how our watches are used.
Thank you Alex
Nice to see Zodiac get some shine on the channel.
watched 1000s of hours of watch content ... this is the first with some actual real life context for the watch. well done!
It's a dive watch and I prefer the closed case back. I've always like their quirky colour ways.
Zodiac are a fabulous watch brand!
It's important to note that Zodiac introduced for sale their Sea Wolf dive watch the same year Blancplain did their Fifty-Fathoms - and by some accounts, the Zodiac shortly earlier than the Fifty-Fathoms - in 1953.
This, 2 years before Rolex made available the Submariner in 1955.
Zodiac dominates this price tier, and quite possibly even the under $4k USD tier.
I'm happy to see both you cover them, and them getting the attention their accolades deserve.
Nice to see Zodiac getting some love! I have a Super Sea Wolf 53 Compression Blackout and really enjoy it. Mine is super sharp and the details are off the charts. I agree the crown action and winding are lacking compared to my higher end pieces. Overall, I'd highly recommend Zodiac to anyone shopping in the $1000-$1500 diver range.
How does your Sea Wolf feel in had? does it feel solid? does it have heft to it?
with the crown, does it operate smoothly and is they much movement in the crown itself when pulled out?
@@erikfleischhacker3583 Everything you're asking is quite subjective. It feels like a steel diver. The crown sucks to unscrew and wind due to it's small size and rough winding action. Is it a deal breaker? Nope, not at all. If it's a daily driver or on a winder you'd never even know it's a thing.
I personally don't want a display case back on my diver. Because it is a toolwatch.
Nice review, fun to see real life situation footage ;)
I have the “sleeper” ZO9203 Sea Wolf. I love all the colors Zodiacs are known for but think it’s my favorite all-arounder once you take the black leather strap off. I put a Jubilee and tons of NATOs. Interesting note about your question at the end... mine has display (it’s beautiful) AND 200m. Can’t figure out why they put display back on some but not others. Great video! Keep em coming... lots of new releases these last few weeks!
I really like the zodiac olympos. It's got such a different case shape and design.
Haven’t seen that model I’ll have to take a look as well
@@WatchUnwind Hi this is the Olypus ua-cam.com/video/YyAwkPssToc/v-deo.html i have the limited military edition, very nice kind of manta ray or shield case.
I wish I hadn’t seen this video. I really like this watch and now I’m going to have to save for it. That’s a great looking watch with great specs.
It really is. Zodiac did well
Is it shapphire crystal bezel insert? On the zodiac's website they say it is mineral crystal.
not much of a diver at 200wr, but may be a nice vacation, weekend, or daily tool watch at 100-150wr. I like the fresh, homey colors of blue and white. Orange is not for everybody but here, it pulls out the blue and white perfectly. I think it would also be interesting in 38-38, at least for my small wrist. I prefer the vintage sizing, and at 38, I think this would still look wide with the white dial and bezel.
Love everything about my Seawolf except the movement! Went for repair under warranty after only a few months of careful use, wouldn't wind anymore. Repaired and returned wrapped in plastic foil in a cheap cardboard box. No apologies, no communication whatsoever.
It's beautiful in every way... but I recommend looking at a Glycine instead, with an ETA movement. ;)
Thank you for an awesome video, Bruce!
In regards to your closing WR question: it should definitely drop the WR to 100 to include a display case back.
Zodiac feels like the new Squale... fake history (someone just bought the name). Local dealer is selling Zodiac, but only had two in the case. He said they sell about the same as same as Movado (not much).
Thanks for the awesome review!
Another great video Bruce , the output of your videos is on another level. I’m a fan of this watch it’s a color scheme your just not going to see anywhere else and for the price point is hard to beat although I love my Longines Hydroconquest priced at 1275. Hope Zodiac can continue to become more popular.
Just picked up a new Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Ceramic blue/white. Worked w/Jenya from Exquisite Timepieces, great customer service and very easy transaction. My second piece from Exquisite Timepieces.
Lume comment is right on. I picked up a Liberty London model and noticed that the lume is a little weaker than expected. Otherwise, nothing negative to mention. It’s an awesome watch, and even more so when price is considered. Zodiac is killing it right now.
Love this . I think if I was buying a watch at this price I would buy a seawolf . Buckets of character...
The Zodiac website says this watch has a "uni-directional mineral crystal topring." Is it NOT a sapphire cover on the bezel? I.e., will it be prone to scratching?
I wish more companies gave the option of a display back, personally I would rather the 200m and closed caseback as it’s nicely done and I’ve had enough display backs for the novelty to be gone.
I went for the black and purple LE version of this and it’s works well as a daily driver. Enough colour to have character but easy enough to wear with anything.
I don't do any diving at all so 100m would be fine since the most I'm doing is swimming in a pool. Seeing the open case back would be a win imo.
I'm with you
My Super Sea Wolf ref #ZO9203 has the display back and is 200m water resistant. Not as fun colors but a great “daily driver”.
I’ve been impressed with every Zodiac I’ve seen/held. The quality and attention to detail is fantastic. I agree the winding action feels questionable, but it seems consistently bad as if it’s intentional.
It's a diver so it has to keep the 200 metres. Better still have both. 200 metres and crystal case back
They should sell a display caseback for when we're not in the water
Which watch do you think is better Zodiac Sea Wolf or Formex Reef?
Really like this watch & color scheme. 👍🏻
Well, why Zodiac isnt selling steel bracelets? Thats the question!!
The 200 meters would be nice, but I’m not a professional diver and 100m is sufficient to not have to worry about getting it wet, especially with that nice tropic strap
Admittedly I am a zodiac fan boy, so I really love the modern SSW. Great case and lug design, super fun colorways, but also some of the old classics rebooted with the triangle indexes at 6, 9 and 12. I agree with most of your opinions on this model Bruce. Would love better lume and also something funky about the STP wind, but overall very appealing and fun watches. A display caseback would certainly be cool, even if it were only in select models and not across the entire line. These were after all amongst the earlier original mass production dive watches. I really do enjoy the modern iteration of Zodiac and how they are staying close to their roots.
The original steel bezel Zodiac SSW '53 models from a couple of years ago had display casebacks. I owned one - ZO9204. The case is perfectly capable of a glass back with 200M WR. Zodiac switched to better match the original SSW divers that they are referencing, not for any technical WR reason. There is actually a positive benefit from the steel back. The STP movement has an *incredibly* LOUD balance wheel. I have to put my Seikos or Oris right up to my ear to hear them ticking. Those glass back Zodiacs can be heard from a foot away, seriously. I actually sold my ZO9204 because of that, the ticking got annoying whenever the room was quiet. I had a ZO9209 for a bit, and it was just quiet enough to be tolerable.
I like the logo on the caseback, I think it's cooler and gives you a better seal.
I've had my eye on a Super Sea Wolf 53 Skin for quite some time now. Really enjoyed this review of the SSW. Snd yes, I would love to see an open caseback for sure !!!
Love the seawolf on the jubilee, its really comfortable. I also have the jetomatic with the display caseback and the movement is really well finished. I would really like to see a seawolf with a display caseback but not at 100m.
Love this watch. Whish the supply on these was more consistent and that the jubilee was available for this model. Dont have an opinion on the open case back as I usually look at the dial and not the back!
I see no reason you can’t have a display case back with 200m WR. Other brands do it.
200m with no open caseback. It's a divers watch it doesn't need to have an open caseback
I, too, would like to have a see-through caseback if the movement is reasonably well decorated to be showcased. I don't mind downgrading water resistance to 100m; the screw-down crown provides enough security to prevent water ingress for my expected day-to-day activities around water. It would be a good alternative to Oris Diver 65, which offer decent, albeit less fun comparatively, dial and bezel color ways.
How disapointing must the fact be that your Rolexes do have closed case backs? And the cost much much more than that Zodiac. So, let me me ask this: What excatcly is your problem with that watch?
The movement also has a longer power reserve than the eta. Exhibition case back is overrated imho on a diver, it's on my wrist you only see it when you take it off, I would rather have the water/pressure resistance, even if I don't dive I jet ski/boogie board and some of the impacts might need that. If it was a dress watch might like the glass on the back. Just purchased the white dial and bezel version with the triangular indices at the 12,3,6,9 to your point of a more conservative version, also eyeing the light blue bezel and dark blue dial.
Best regards,
Joseph
I’d say keep the solid case back. it’s well done plus it’s a diver, the movements I’d want to see would be something at a much higher caliber. Just my 2cents.
To me the light color of the disl and the light color of the bezel makes it look larger than 40mm. That is a plus for me.
Nice, vid. I picked up Topper’s no date black dial version of this a couple years ago. More of a white dial person but they were already sold out when I became aware of them. Also worth mentioning, I know Zodiac gets a lot of praise for their bracelets, however, I wear all of my “new” Sea Wolfs (I have three, soon to be four) on rubber even though they came with steel. I may be in the minority but not a big fan of their bracelets.
Simply outstanding review. Buying one now.
I like this watch, but I also like the marathon gsar white dial. I own the tsar black dial. Which would you choose?
So my real journey with watches started with a road trip where the Zodiac Jet Aeronaut 24hr dial my dad gave me got stolen. I’ve been trying to fill that hole for a long time. I really need to add a Zodiac to my collection.
I’ll keep the 200m, i always equate depth with toughness (my quirk) That said I bet Zodiac could add a see through case back and still keep the 200m; there’s a TON of watches out there that do that... (Aquis off the tom of my head)
Great looking watch. I had a white faced Zodiac prior to consolidating and picking up a Explorer ll polar. Candidly, I kinda miss the Zodiac.
Hi my friend. Great video. Can I ask a question? When winding the crown back into lock, does the crown make a clicking noise when you tighten it up?? Thank you
Closed back is timeless on a tool watch.
I’m of the opinion there should be a balance between practicality and feature set. This being a diver at 1k it should be water resistant to at least 100m but also feature an exhibition case back. Let me see where my money would go. Put the movement on display, its increasingly more common and the drop in performance is acceptable considering the percentage of folks who will use it at those depths is less than who would like to see the movement
I do like the colors. The bezel certainly seems to blend well. All in all, very nice. Price? Not sure if it’s worth a K, at k at least to me.
Great review.
100m water resistance with the window case back, I'm never going to go to 200m intentionally 😀
Like that it's its own thing, (case, dial) don't like the colours tho. Cheapen the design imho. Would prefer a clear case back too 200m is just overkill (tho Omega manage 300m with display back, albeit at a much higher price). I really dislike the date at 3,ugly & unnecessary especially on a Diver.
Good review, Cheers mate 👍🏻
Thanks Steve!
Great watch, I'm fine with the the 200m water resistance over a display cashback.
I like different Zodiac's model, like this Super Sea Wolf or the Olympus, but it is not so common to find them here in Italy. They do not distribute their products here, even though you can find them in some (rare) stores.
P. S. : your girls are so sweet! Compliments for your family ❤️
Solid case backs on all of my divers, I wish Omega would go back to the SeaHorse solid case back.
I keep looking at these but people usually comment on quality issues for the price so confused how you didn't see any... Maybe it's bracelet related?
Hey Bruce, do you think this watch is better than the Yema Superman Blue you reviewed?
Can’t we have a display case back and the 200m water resistance? I would pay a little extra for that
I think if they can manage the display caseback with 150m WR that would be great
Definitely want to see the swan neck regulator.
I always prefer a closed caseback
hello watch fam...can someone please tell me what color the line dash markers are on the bezel if there blue or black?....also what color is the second hand?...many thanks..
I love the colors of that watch! I just got the Super Sea Wolf ref #ZO9203 and am very pleased so far. It came with a leather Nato but I’ve been wearing it with a rubber tropic strap or mesh bracelet. Keep up the great work!
Do these super sea wolf divers come and go or do they make multiple production runs? I see they have quite a variety on their website and this one is among many that are sold out.
If the movement is worth admiring open the case back otherwise solid is just fine and keeps the 200m
Nice watch, good review !! 👍👍
Nice watch but I'm curious about other people's experiences here, every watch I have used that had an ETA 2824 or was based off of that movement had issues when hand winding. It will spin the rotor, make a nasty metal on metal sound or lock up all together. How has every one else's 2824 or 2824 derived movements held up hand winding? Is it a design flaw?
Not well, my SSW had to have the movement repaired two separate times (over the course of 3 years) for issues similar to what you described. Just outside of the warranty, of course. The two movement repairs cost me approximately $250. Unfortunate.
@@plummerofficial Thats a bummer. I learned since then just to never hand wind a 2824 even a 2824-2 or any of its Sellita, STP or Soprod clones. They just can't handle it. I found out it has to do with the design of the reversing wheels and they even reprofiled the teeth on the 2824-2 and SW200-2 and its a little better though not much as I also had the same issue again on a used Damasko DS-30 I bought with a 2824-2. Ugh. I think from now on I'll stick to 2894's and other similar ETA/ Swatch movements.
@@Nefville Great insight about that type of movement. I feel like that's exactly what occured to mine both times.
Hey Bruce can you please do a video on affordable swiss automatic watches.
This one is a beauty!
Nice video, Bruce, thanks. Goes without saying, the kids are cute! Give me the water resistance, please. Didn't like the watch at first, but I'm warming up to it.
Love these Zodiacs. Sinn do watches with 200m and have a see through case back.
200m is a must for a diver which it is supposed to be!
niceee
If Omega Seamaster can do a see through case back for their 300m WR watch, I don't see why Zodiac can't do it for a 200m WR Sea Wolf. If they have a reasonably nice movement to showcase, they should flaunt it.
Zodiac Seawolf since 1953!
I'd rather be able to swim or skin dive than have a see-through case back. Thanks!
I had one of these for a short time . Timekeeping was great , finish was great , but the lume sucked , and the lugs just never fit my wrist comfort correctly . Flipped it and broke even.
I agree. I think the lugs are a tad long for the 40mm diameter. Cheers.
I love a display caseback and it would have been awesome on this piece.
My Super Sea Wolf ref #zo9203 has a display case back and is 200m water resistant.
@@bjlochow7136 Nice
Don't Zodiac do a cucumber green dial? Very eye-catching.
Open case back and Zodiac has my paycheck...like tomorrow!
Did you get a new camera or something? The video quality on last few haven't been as smooth as past videos
Same camera, lol maybe I need a new one
The 200M Open Case back already exists.
the quality of the dial is terrible,take a closer look
Wow great video 📹
Omg this is gorgeous
What's the weight of the Zodiac?
I think it’s a mineral crystal bezel unfortunately 😢
Nice watch but very expensive....and with a plastic strap.. . Gangsters
Such sweet and beautiful girls! OK. Nice watch too.
I like the closed engraved caseback, it is more comfortable. The movement is not that beautiful.
Hi Bruce
I've just sent you a business inquire on your registered e-mail.
Hope to hear from you
Sven Even
Forteller Watches
No
Vary noce. I lyke noce wotc.
I have never really been a fan of Zodiac's design aesthetic but this does look nice. If anything, I am hoping STP movements become more ubiquitous and be a viable option to ETA and Sellita for more brands. Afterall, competition begets innovation, supposedly.
Truth