I really like this old Sea Wolf, but....

[dmh]

it is not exactly right. Can you tell me why?

Best,
dmh

[Butch]

I could be, give me the serial number between the lugs under the 6.

[dmh]

Serial# is 1839949
Best,
dmh

[dawej]

Hands are incorrect? (Or at least they did a really bad job reluming them)

[rhsnyc]

Agreed, I believe the hands should have a split down the center of each?

[Butch]

OK, the serial number is from the very late 60's or the early 70's. My guess, this is a watch assembled from NOS parts. The bezel and hand combination was what made me ask for the serial number. The bezel is from the later SW model and in far to good a condition for the hands that are from a 1950's model.

As you are a VZ Team member, if you take a look at the 1950's catalog or some models in the 1961 catalog on ZodiacCatalogs.com you will see a models with those hands.

[jon p]

     i read somewhere that the later 60s hands went to the center rib to help hold the lume better. this is a sharp looking example, the whit dial has always been my favorite!

[Sea Wolf]

It looks to be the lady's model?

[davec73]

Crown juts out a bit, could it be a quick set date model on a non date Seawolf??

Its a beauty though.

Can't quite tell on this one but the older Seawolf dials had much thicker lume in the triangles as well.  That's one of the few ways that I've found to distinguish the older Seawolves.

[rhsnyc]

older hands. I saw one of Butchs seawolf photos with the same ones.

[jon p]

is it a ladies?

[dmh]

Not a lady's Sea Wolf. I've got one around here somewhere and you won't believe how tiny it is. I'll post a picture when I find it.

Crown is in about the same place as my others. Photo angle may exaggerate the space.  I did knock it off after hitting my car's outside rearview mirror awhile back. I spent about 45 minutes on my hands and knees in the parking lot of the Golden Corral looking for it. But, I found it!  Movement is the non date movement.

Looks like almost everyone passed the test, but Butch got the only A+. This is one of several put together watches from genuine parts that I accumulated from various places over a few years. The case, bezel and crystal  looked to be NOS when I found them at a NAWCC show. Dial was NOS as were the older hands without the center line. The hands were relumed to match the dial. The non date movement (COA) was salvaged from an incomplete parts watch and I don't remember where the crown came from. Out of the 4 built at the same time, this was my favorite. I just like the look the old hands create.
Best,
dmh

[orangecorallimorph]

The old hands minus the center rib get my vote as the most appealing, too bad the lume problem forced the rib to be added. This an original watch that I picked up on the bay a while ago. The story was that it was being sold by a widow of a gentleman who had been a underwater welder and had worn this watch for a number of years. There is an inscription on the back that reads " Chuck Love Carole" 10-8-60. Which is way cool, the best thing is that , E-bay fairy tales aside, after having the watch for awhile I noticed something on the crown, which is most certainly "weld spatter" which is really a testament to this watch being used as described. So here it is I hope that this post doesn't belong under watch stories but I am putting it here anyways. Keepin' it real - OC

[dmh]

Very Nice orangecorallimorph. The added engraving is like icing on a cake to me also. Anyone that can even spell Zodiac should be happy to have that one. Aside from the serial #, I've noticed a couple of other tell tale signs of an older Sea Wolf. Your photos show them clearly. One is the thinner case. The other is bezel width is slightly less on the older ones. Width meaning from the inside of the bezel to the outside. Just for reference, what is your serial # ?
Best,
dmh

[Butch]

Another real deal. Unfortunately I had to sell this one at a time when funds were low. A real benefit in collecting by the way.

Note the engraving on the rotor. That did not last very long.

[davec73]

Here's my moldy oldy, the old dials also say Swiss on the bottom versus the NOS which have the T<25.


ohio goldwing on ebay used to have a huge supply of NOS non veined hands in that huge warehouse purchase they did eons ago.  Still yielding treasue all these years later though the hands are now gone (I think)

[orangecorallimorph]

dmh;
"Just for reference, what is your serial # ?" Here is the serial # that is hard to make out the top half of the engraving is worn off slightly but I think it reads 1276065   BTW, Thanks for the compliments on this watch. It is for some reason actually the favorite of all my ZSW's.
Here are some pics;

[dmh]

orangecorallimorph
My serial # is 1839949, but as Butch pointed out, my case is from late 60's or early 70's. I would be extremely happy to own a nice original example  like yours or davec73's, but I'm not a hard nosed purist. When they are not available, I'm not above a marriage of real parts to get the look I want.

BTW davec73, yours is a beauty too and looks to be all original. What is the serial# of yours?

Butch or anyone. Is there a chart available with serial #'s and the approximate year. If not it sure would make a nice reference. Maybe it could be posted in the vintage Zodiac Catalog section.
Best,
dmh

[Butch]

Sorry but no. I have been looking for almost 20 years now and never come across any. I built my own from the catalog pictures, model serial numbers, paperwork, and asking the old guy's guess on when he bought it when he is selling it to me.

Besides, there are some things I have to keep to myself Grasshopper.

[dmh]

Well Butch, I can certainly understand your reluctance to divulge your self made chart. That's kinda like me telling anyone who my local watchmaker is that does a service for $40. Ain't gonna happen. LOL
If there was any interest in building one, I would be happy to help. It would have to be a group effort and the more contributions, the better it would be. May not be any interest at all, but if there is send me a PM or email to:
USAsgtE5@gmail.com
Best,
dmh

[orangecorallimorph]

With all the secrecy involved w/ divulging serial numbers makes me wish now that I would have CHARGED for posting the serial number of my watch.
Trying to keep it real-OC

[Butch]

It was a joke Brah. Keep it REAL, will ya?

Anytime anyone asks me all I can give them is an educated guess.

[orangecorallimorph]

Damn,
I was trying to keep some drama rolling around here since all the dust has settled over the Professional GMT!! 
Always! Keeping it real.. OC