Zodiac Oceanaire Review

[@Sparks68]

A complete teardown of a CL-888 next to a Sea-Gull ST-16 comparing each of their parts verified that the Claro-Semag is, indeed, a Chinese ST-16 with just barely enough Swiss hand-waving over it to legally label it "Swiss Made." The parts were identical down to machine tooling marks on them, with the exception that an additional jewel was added to the Claro. This goes beyond one being a clone of the other, it means the parts were made on the same production lines (else they would look the same dimensionally but have telltale tooling mark differences). Swiss law relates to percentage of content monetary "value" and not parts counts or labor hours. Thus it's possible to import a Chinese movement that only costs a few $ (USD), add very little Swiss content at their extremely high material and labor rates compared to China, and meet the Swiss legal requirements. It's a dirt cheap Chinese movement in a threadbare Swiss cloak. Should be no surprise why the CL-888 Oceanaire has been sneered at by WIS on various watch forums. Had Zodiac (and Claro-Semag) been transparent about the CL-888 movement and acknowledged its ST-16 provenance, instead of double-talk and weasel words to imply it was completely Swiss, it might have found a bit more love, One thing WIS absolutely hate as utterly despicable is any attempt to deceive them about the movement inside a watch and its provenance. The CL-888 isn't even close to being in the same class as a standard grade ETA 2824-2 (with Etachoc), or a basic grade Sellita SW 200-1, or a Soprod A-10. The issue isn't "accuracy" out of the box which for any instance is merely anecdotal high volume production manufacturing variation, it's long-term durability and precision. If it doesn't have and maintain precision, it cannot maintain accuracy. Any watch can be easily regulated to improve its accuracy, but the limitation in how much accuracy you can achieve is controlled by its precision in maintaining exactly the same beat rate in all positions, in all temperatures, and whether fully wound or barely wound . . . and doing so for 40 years or more. That's what separates the ETA, Sellita and Soprod movements from the Claro-Semag Swiss poser. The CL-888, the only movement made by Claro-Semag, was a marketing ploy by Fossil who has owned Zodiac since 2001 and owned (or invested in) a major part of Claro Watch SA to resurrect a few mechanical watch models at extremely low prices compared to other Swiss made watches (e.g. Hamilton, Tissot, Mido, Grovana, Epos, etc.). In the process they managed to convince Swiss Legends, Invicta and a couple others to also source movements from them for comparatively bargain basement priced "Swiss Made" watches (or at least movements). Little wonder Claro Watch SA went bankrupt in late 2010. Their strategy of smoke, mirrors and sleight of hand - one that didn't work - did them in.

[@mulberrybushfilmfan]

great comment. I picked up a cheap blue faced zo8004 oceanaire and love it but in the back of my mind looms the movements quality. shame really because the rest of the watch is nicely build and finished, lovely bracelet and the fan patterned dials are stunning. cheers

[@mulberrybushfilmfan]

I got the blue z08004 today and I love it. rare watch.

[@mulberrybushfilmfan]

+webWatchWorld cheers took me 3 years of looking on and off. did see 1 about a year ago at £500 but didn't want to pay that. kind of gave up hope of ever getting one then spotted a blue one about 2 weeks ago on e bay. won it for £155, it arrived today and I'm chuffed with it.

[@mulberrybushfilmfan]

+webWatchWorld cool I love the sea wolf, go for good money now.

[@IIIJFRIII]

I like Zodiac a lot. More interested in there heritage line though.

[@SholYm]

I found it on sale, I'll try to find it and try it ... Thank you for your help.

[@worldhello1234]

@BLACKSUEDEBOOTZ It is a modified Sea-gull St-16 ebauches to comply with Swiss Made regulations ;-)

[@SholYm]

I have a wrist about 6.3, 6-5 in. .. Would this watch too big? I have a watch that is 47mm with crown The lug tip-to-tip distance is about 53mm and 14mm is thick, and on wrist does not look too big ... What do you think it would look too zodiac on my hand?

[@herseygrid]

my one is 01948.............