Zodiac Talk => General Zodiac Discussion => Topic started by: TDZ on November 30, 2015, 12:25:46 AM

Title: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: TDZ on November 30, 2015, 12:25:46 AM
Hi, I am new to the forum and wanted to pick the brains of you Zodiac experts. I have not pulled out my Seawolf in a while (Years and years)and when I recently looked at it I was quite stunned at how truly beautiful this watch is. I tried to sort out how old it is but I have failed miserably. I have always felt it was fairly recent due to the condition but as I researched I have come to the conclusion it is  fairly early like maybe 60's. Any input on the age range and condition would be appreciated. I am not looking to sell it or anything I just came to the conclusion that I have been seriously under valuing it as a whole. I think this thing is maybe exceptional based on the info I have gathered and the condition it is in. If you need to see the bracelet I can try to find it. It is signed s steel if I recall. I have it in a "safe place" but can't seem to be able to find it as of yet. Any input appreciated.  Tim 
Title: Re: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: evghenii on November 30, 2015, 02:34:53 AM
very very nice watch! Congrats!
If you want to sell it I will be first) :twothumbsup
Title: Re: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: Butch on November 30, 2015, 09:29:04 AM
Hi tim,

Yes a 60's model. Nice specimen. Since you say it has been a while...
http://www.vintagezodiacs.com/watchrepair.php (http://www.vintagezodiacs.com/watchrepair.php)
Title: Re: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: jmh86325 on November 30, 2015, 11:49:20 AM
 :welc and I concur with Butch...very early 60's radium dial...and that bezel is in fantastic condition...do you know what cal movement is has?
Title: Re: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: gwells on November 30, 2015, 06:16:22 PM
beautiful watch in great shape.

if you have and can find the original bracelet and you have the original end-links, the bracelet itself is pretty valuable. those end links are nearly impossible to find.
Title: Re: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: TDZ on December 01, 2015, 12:30:55 AM
Thanks for the input. I was wondering about the bezel. The only examples I came across in my research were I thought from the fifties. The triangle at 12:00 seems narrow compared to examples listed as 60's. Is there info as to when the bezel changes went into effect. I know the plastic came in the 70's but as far as the type I have I thought I have seen two types of triangles. Are there any other differences. As to the movement I am not sure what is in it as I have not taken the back off. In fact the back of this one has been lightly buffed to get out scratches from previous attempts. I am having some medical issues involving my hand and am afraid to try myself. I will say it is very hard not to give it a try but after reading how difficult it is to pop these backs, I just can't do it. I have to much respect for it at this point to damage it.  Yes I definitely have the original band in it's entirety and if I recall it's near mint. If I find it in the soon I will throw some shots with it united. I sure like this shark band with it though.

So how can you tell early fifties from sixties or can you and is there anything significant about the different type of triangles in the bezel? Would knowing the movement help dial in a time of manufacture? Also the serial numbers seemed high on this watch to be very early as far as I can work out. Why do you figure the 60's and not earlier, what are you basing the date estimate  on?

Thanks for the warm welcome and help.  I also can not believe how good of condition this is in, not to toot my own horn but it looks quite awesome on screen. I do not even remember where I got it. I did not know what it was at the time. I thought it was a recent watch because of the condition. I just know I really liked it and because it was in such nice shape I shied away from wearing it. That was a very good decision in retrospect. I just wish that Zodiac kept a better record system or any system for for that matter to help date these. I would really like to know when it was made not just a guess if you know what I mean.  At any rate it is truly a iconic masterpiece that I hope will have some value to one of my kids when I die. They do not see the need for watches and pretty much make fun of my obsession with them. They hold up their cell phones and say what do you old people need watches for when you have this. Fricken kids. They will come around I hope otherwise I'll be on my deathbed having a panic attack picturing them selling it for $10 bucks at a garage sale. Fricken kids.

Thanks again for the help, Tim

Title: Re: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: jmh86325 on December 01, 2015, 06:13:27 PM
As for a movement i would hope to see an AS 1624, that would date it mid to late fifties, whereas a 70-72 world be early 60's...

the hands are 60's and it is not uncommon to find them on 50's watches that have been serviced and replaced due them losing the luminous material...the later ones with the center vain was the solution to that..pls post a picture once you get the band back on it
Title: Re: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: TDZ on December 02, 2015, 02:58:12 AM
Hi, Thanks for the info. I could not stand it any longer so I popped the back off and shot a photo of the movement. I am a bit sad as it looks like it's a later model. I was hoping for 50's, (I don't know why exactly).  I am unclear as to the difference between the cal 70-72 and this one which is a cal  71, with the base plate showing 1700/01.  Is this a date model without the date complication added? That was what someone on the web thought but I have not had time to look into it. I will get a photo posted with the  band when I find it. So I guess the question is why is this different than the normal cal you usually find and is it good or bad.  Thaanks.  Tim
Title: Re: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: TDZ on December 02, 2015, 03:30:47 AM
HI, I left out the info that this is a NON hacking model if that makes a difference.  Tim
Title: Re: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: TDZ on December 02, 2015, 05:30:26 AM
Hi, I did find a 71 movement in a  Zodiac "Standard" watch. I am posting two photo's I found online  (removed...bd) The movement may not be exact but it was labeled the same model on the rotor and the base also reads 1700/01 as does mine. Also the info about it possibly being a modified Date model is incorrect info. Sorry for all the separate posts, I am new to this. Again thanks for the help. I am a bit confused because I can not find a lot of info regarding the Seawolf having a non hacking caliber 71 1700/01 movement.  tim
Title: Re: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: jmh86325 on December 02, 2015, 08:36:32 AM
don't be Discouraged, while the 1624 were 50's and the 70/72 were 60's yours falls in-between...now you need Butch, Ultra-Vintage or BWG to chime in
Title: Re: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: Butch on December 06, 2015, 09:20:53 AM
Sorry, been very busy lately. Yes, in the 50's there were 15xx AS movements. Then the went to the caliber 70 SERIES.... Something has to be first and the others follow on. If you take a look at the service manuals you can the 70, 71, 72, 75B, etc. and what the differences are between the movements. I use it to find out if another movement has the same part I need for my movement.

So, as this watch has a 71 that would make it early to mid 1960's I would think. Unless the movement was swapped out of course.
Title: Re: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: jon p on December 12, 2015, 11:58:20 AM
late 1960s, veined hands. I have an original black dial with date I bought new at the fort benning Georgia army PX in may of 1968. it was my birthday gift from myself, 23rd b-day spent in basic training!! what a bummer. my 12:00 bezel triangle is like yours, and the pale green lume is original.  yours is all original, trust me. enjoy it and have it SERVICED if it will get regular use. never get it wet even after service, too old to be water tite even with new seals.
Title: Re: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: TDZ on January 26, 2016, 03:57:23 PM
Thanks to all who responded. I appreciate the info. They really are beautiful Watches. One more question. Is it rare to find one in this condition? It seems as I have looked for info that I found a small number of examples in this sort of condition. How rare is it to see one in this shape? I still have not looked for the Band but if I recall it was in as good or better shape than the Watch and it had the Zodiac logo so I am sure it is original to the Watch. I believe it is in storage and I can not get to it at the moment. So if the Band was on it and in as good of condition how rare would it be in this condition. I have no idea how many are floating around out there. (I am not looking to sell it), I just want to be informed so my kids know and do not do something foolish when I kick.  Thanks for the all the help.  Tim 
Title: Re: Trying to date my Seawolf
Post by: Butch on January 26, 2016, 05:29:03 PM
They get rarer and harder to find every day Tim. The bezel is plated and they are usually very worn. Don't play with the bezel, you ain't diving.