Zodiac Ceramic Super Sea Wolf! Is It a Bullseye, or Just Another Storm Trooper?

Reference: ZO9590
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This one is going to be interesting. As well as polarizing. It's the Zodiac Super seawolf Ceramic Diver. Zodiac's attempt to create a hybrid ceramic diver. Possibly giving you the best of both worlds or creating a watch with a pointless gimmick. You decide.
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00:00 It's Not What You Think
00:35 Tells You Two Things
02:06 Specs
03:22 Storm Trooper Looks
04:35 SeaWolf Design
05:32 Good & Bad
08:24 LUME
10:06 Why I Have it
11:50 Bottom Line

[@RelativeTime]

One Correction: Looks like the black version is still available. At least for now. For some reason, it wasn't on their site when I first looked. Also As you can see, in some of the shots the shiny ceramic white case paired with a darker dial played hell with the white balance on my camera.

[@bestboy897]

that zulu diver nato looks phenomenal

[@RelativeTime]

I need to make a video on it. It's an intersting, but also pricey idea.

[@jamesR1990]

That's what I came to say as well 😆 It's fantastic

[@MikeSmith-er1qs]

I LOVE everything about this watch!!! L2L could be shorter, but ehhh…

[@josephj7387]

A dive watch that is not ISO certified but is chronometer spec. That is interesting.

[@RelativeTime]

Typically the Swiss don't do ISO cert for divers... for whatever reason. Or if they are, they don't put it on the dial.

[@MementoMorituri]

They do have a pro version that is both chono and iso certified. It has a different look though.

"ISO certified" dive watches are a myth. ISO doesn't certify anything.

[@johanvandersandt8904]

I just could not part with $1800 for what is on offer here. True Ceramic is not plastic. It has advantages but it has disadvantages as well. It wont scratch easily but drop it on a hard surface and your watch case will crack. I think it looks better than the Swatch and think only time will tell how it holds up! Thank you for sharing!

[@BartMan59]

Purchased a brand new (same color) from an AD on sale for less than $1K. Note, the all black version is ALL ceramic. Surprisingly you did NOT mention two things about the Zodic Sea Wolf: 1. The Zodiac Sea Wold Ceramic Compression in your vid is also chronometer certified. 2. The Sea Wolf has a rich horological history being one of the FIRST three dive watches introduced in 1953. Back in the day, the Zodiac price was just under the Rolex Sub and more than the Blancpain 50 F's. Where both Rolex and Blancpain moved up into lux category/price, Zodiac maintained its humble roots at a reasonable price. I agree with your critique about the crown being too small to wind - I agree. Overall, an OK vid - thanks.

[@jamespingel8730]

If you love this one for the style/color, you might also consider a Farer Aquamatic Biaritz. I got myself one at the tail end of last year and it has really pleasantly surprised me. Comes with a similar color NATO strap to the rubber on this Zodiac, but you also get a white rubber strap and a Jubilee bracelet with it. I intended to wear it mostly on the rubber, but I put it on the Jubilee about 3 days into owning the watch and cannot bring myself to take the bracelet off now. You save some money, get a Selita movement, and more strap options.

[@whasafauh]

I have the Black version, like the idea of the ceramic keeping the watch looking new for its lifetime. We'll see if that holds up. Also on mine the winding position is so difficult to find, I've flipped my date to many times while trying to wind it. Sorta annoying but it's still a great watch.

[@piotrszmidel]

Oh sh..!Cant unsee that speck of dust😢For sure thats a replacement.My 3 SeaWolfs are clear from any imperfections

[@alicemacdonald1550]

Very nice! That blue and orange strap is awesome with this watch! 😸

[@larrydalton2205]

I'd take your Seiko MM reduced over this all day every day, and it's less money. But thanks for showing us a wide variety of watches like this. It makes yours the best channel.

[@MrTw2009]

I don't have any plans to buy that watch but it looks interesting. I am a sucker for good gimmicks and that case/watch does talk to me. My 2 cents.

[@bestboy897]

amazing design but i have to agree my mind keeps picturing it to look plasticy and cheap. You have to check this out in the pineaaple variant

[@OvidiuHretcanu]

looks like Helm Vanuatu

[@RelativeTime]

makes sense. I think helm was going for the same retro skin diver look.

[@dunderhay9169]

Nice review 👍. I have avoided ceramic watches, as I'm not keen on lugs snapping off when a watch is dropped, I think the steel core is an excellent idea, scratch resistant surface with a much tougher core. Not for me though.

[@talanjohn]

Interesting watch. I think the color of the strap bothers me more than the case. I refer to it as candy-ass blue. This might be a candidate for a Honda red strap. ‘Merica!

[@edteach3r]

I never understood the attraction to Zodiac, but always would return to their listings on the Long Island Watch site. Last year they released the Super Seawolf Pineapple Dream and I just had to have it as the colors match my favourite sports team. Having now worn the watch for 6 months, both on bracelet and two-piece nylon, I get it. Apart from being accurate to within 2 seconds per day, it is my most comfortable watch... beating my previous favourite, the Squale 1521. The dial is so interesting to look at, discovering something different as the light changes. Given the price of Seiko divers, the Zodiac is not that far off the mark.

[@Horizontalvertigo]

I would've preferred the white Farer Aquamatic, but it seems to be discountinued atm

[@MementoMorituri]

I'm glad that Zodiac is improving the lume. They did so for the SSW 53 skin diver. I still don't get why if Seiko can do shorter lug to lug other brands can't or don't.

[@chuckmontgomery7571]

If I'm trying to put on a jacket over this watch, I'm doing it wrong. I should be getting my summer watch band tan lines in this. This is a summer watch, perfect for that, comes in fun colors, and a nice show piece. Had Zodiac on my radar for a while but never pulled the trigger until they released this, and I knew right away I had to have one. Ran down to my favorite local shop and of course, the one color variant I wanted was the one they had already sold, but they had one for me within a week. I will say the ceramic/steel interface is what I think is messing with the crown. I've noticed odd behavior from mine. It did wear in a little and feel better, but it's not good yet. I bought it because it looked fun, and very definitely summer. I have no regrets, but we are all entitled to our own tastes. It's certainly not a watch for everyone.

[@RelativeTime]

Which colorway did you get?

[@chuckmontgomery7571]

@@RelativeTime The minty green one. That's my speed.

[@RelativeTime]

@@chuckmontgomery7571 that one looks pretty sharp. I'm betting you get a lot of compliments on it.

[@chuckmontgomery7571]

@@RelativeTimeWell I bought it toward the end of summer last year and it's been languishing in the watch box since. Almost time to break it out of hibernation, but not yet. Memorial Day, right?

[@nikc1313]

I've owned a couple of zodiac watches. I currently have the sea-chron in my collection. It's an incredibly well built watch and I love it. But the selling point for me was that the sea chron had a selitta movement instead of an STP. Heard too many negatives about them. I like this one actually but I'd want a steep discount on it.

[@Texmotodad]

Maybe I worry about things too much sometimes...I wonder how the case will hold up when salt water permeates between the case and the ceramic outer layer? Thx for showing us this!

[@Aliens_Gonna_Get_Ya]

Kool watch… Luv’n those other colours too… 😎👍

[@jfalconc]

I love mine!!! It has heritage, ceramic, sapphire and it is a Chronometer…BTW bought it at 50% discount in Exquisite Timepieces!!! What else can I ask for???

[@RelativeTime]

Oh wow. That's a great price. At that point forget all the bad stuff I said..very worth it at that.

[@dreximax5634]

had the steel version and loved it, apart from the crown action as you mentioned. a common issue which isnt good enough at this price point. bang a eta or sellita inside and would be all over it

[@johnmonachelli5256]

I wonder if it resembles a hermit crab with no shell if you remove the ceramic veneer, perhaps a dentist must have

[@monologic4806]

Cool, fun watch. IMO it would look funny if it was small.

[@thenexthobby]

I do like the look of non-metallic cases and bezels. And this one does not remind me of a Storm Trooper look. Here’s why it works here: You’d be reminded of certain verboten materials like ivory or a sea shell aka bone. Maybe that’s not a positive. Perhaps a marble or other stone wouldn’t be controversial. I’m just saying the look is hot.

[@barryvercueil2346]

Simply gorgeous

[@JS-ev4xc]

Seem like the ceramic is wrapped to a SS case by some form of glueing? If so, the glue may be the weak link to durability especially constantly exposed to water. Nevertheless, nice design, it would be nicer if the price is lower.

[@davidlloydjones752]

Love my Watermelon SSW. Like these, but they seem just a little over-priced for me.

[@TheGrenadier97]

I love the concept, but I can't see it being $1800. For Zodiac, i really wished they made again that 35mm diver that was such a remarkable thing in the 1950s.

[@4gegtyreeyuyeddffvyt]

I’ve always liked Zodiac! Zodiac is a killer……. Watch

[@threethrushes]

Well played. Well played, indeed.

[@bani_niba]

That black version looks much nicer to me. The white version isn't to my taste.

[@ColinLack]

Where did you get that gulf nato strap? I'd really love to have it as well. Also I really love this watch

[@RelativeTime]

It's part of the Zulu Diver Octopod strap thing... you can see it on the wrist at 05:44 It's sort of a nato with a deployant clasp. At some point I'll get a review of it done. Although I'm sure they have regular straps with that pattern too.

[@ColinLack]

@@RelativeTime Thanks

[@crashtest4585]

I kind of like this watch... but put off because it's just a ceramic cover, not a ceramic case. I'd sooner pay a little more for the real deal...

[@jankay8569]

I like its unique design but hate the gimmik material. Why would anyone pay a premium for a plastic watch?

[@RelativeTime]

It's real ceramic, not the Swatch Bioceramic whatever.

[@jankay8569]

@@RelativeTime good to know

[@Anirossa]

If the ceramic component can be replaced if it shatter and it would be cheaply replaced I could see a reason for it, for a very niche market. Besides that, a ceramic sounds like a terrible idea for a watch case.

[@BrianHartman]

It's way out of my price range, but I do have to say, if I were to lay down that kind of money for a watch, I wouldn't want to have "fairly average experience" as my takeaway.

[@mikes.4136]

It looks nice, but the white plastic does look cheap. It gives off a bit of a “toy watch” look. The black looks much better.

[@RelativeTime]

The black is pretty sharp.

[@trogpo]

I wonder how fragile is this ceramic shell...

[@RelativeTime]

That's another question. Ceramic is a harder material than steel. Which typically means more scratch-resistant resistant, less impact-resistant.

[@trogpo]

@@RelativeTime Yea, thanks, I know, hence the wondering. I'm sure you'll be very careful not to drop it. Enjoy it!

[@vaughan2203]

Owned by Fossil

[@RelativeTime]

Yup, as is STP

[@Angry_Gnome]

I would highly caution anyone looking to purchase a Zodiac. My Super Seawolf is currently in for service two weeks after purchasing brand new because the movement decided to eat itself. I then get a bill yesterday for $121 for servicing plus $35 for labor plus return shipping for a total of $181. I took a leap buying one even knowing Zodiac had a spotty reputation for reliability. I emailed them questioning why I am being charged and there has been no response. Don't make the same mistake I did. Take your hard earned cash and spend it elsewhere.

[@RelativeTime]

I might wind up selling this one just because of that. My Olympos is half the price, so I'm ok with a little risk on it. But this might be too much to gamble with.

[@climatecypher]

Unacceptable bezel alignment.

[@RelativeTime]

Bezel is pretty well aligned. So no complaints there. If it doesn't look it, it's probably due to the camera angle and the domed crystal. Or I screwed up and didn't put it at the 12, which has happened before.

[@jvduckmanton7162]

Looks like a 5 buck watch.

[@user-ke6xt1yl1l]

Hello and thanks for this video. This diver is certainly a perfect summer watch. But as they have a Celtic Cross logo, I'll never buy a Zodiac. Because this cross is also used as a symbol by neo nazis in Europe countries. And I don't want to have anything to do with these guys.

[@threethrushes]

I feel you bro. I once saw a neo-Nazi wearing a pair of shoes. I decided, there and then, that my shoe-wearing days were over.

[@user-ke6xt1yl1l]

@@threethrushes Even barefoot, before trying to be sarcastic, you need to learn how to be. So, come back when it's done, will you?

[@zillsburyy1]

if its the same old super sea wolf movement then i would not trust it. fossil really screwed them up

[@A_A_Ron]

Their qc is awful, and the stp movements are not reliable . I can go on with many examples

[@RelativeTime]

Do you think it's more Zodiacs QC at fault, or STPs?

[@A_A_Ron]

Separate issues , some had crowns that didn’t turn, o ring sticking out of the back of the case , one had something rattling around inside the case , date ring that stopped working I wish it wasn’t so cuz I love the aesthetic of the SSW

[@A_A_Ron]

I just don’t trust either the company or the movement . These were 5 out 6 watches purchased in a short amount of time . Ceramic , steel, meteorite dial. Really let me down . Also has a plastic movement ring . Cheaply made . Vintage zodiac would be my suggestion

[@RelativeTime]

@@A_A_Ron yeah. Sounds like they need to get their act together... Both of them. I'm debating on whether I should sell this one or hang on to it. The issues makes me I think it's not worth the risk of holding on to.

[@A_A_Ron]

@@RelativeTime I’d sell tbh. You can replace the movement with a 2824 but ….. for that $ it’s nothing worth all the effort

[@watchalot919]

Not my cup of tea, and over priced

[@bigbodykarate6403]

look its a Fancy Fossil Watch ......... straight up trash dude wtf

[@RelativeTime]

Well Fossil does own them... so yeah that's kind of what it is.

[@Chris-de2qc]

Zodiac has its own heritage for what it's worth.