Nice seawolf to tinker with
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.ebayimg.com%2F00%2Fs%2FMTIwMFgxNjAw%2F%24T2eC16JHJHIE9nysd6D7BQq3djQt0%21%7E%7E60_12.JPG&hash=751fdac530fc3aa445504817350c3526e0f5b11e)
But?
Check the caseback ^-^
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.ebayimg.com%2F00%2Fs%2FMTIwMFgxNjAw%2F%24T2eC16VHJGoE9nuQfe9SBQq3g7cp-g%7E%7E60_12.JPG&hash=abcb7c1bdc0b6365569b03f37b966229f40396bc)
I bet Butch sees it in a second :)
What is the serial number?
I don't know yet, but I'll provide it after receiving the watch. It's marked as shipped at the moment :-)
is that an early 1960s model with the script on the CENTER of the back??
How about the depth rating :-)
early ones were 10ATM, also note the lack of the " veins " in the hands. added later to help hold the lume in the hands.
Serial is 1227115
hmmm... The serial of my "regular early seawolf" is 1313242...
Inside a AS1624
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi49.tinypic.com%2Fvf234.jpg&hash=7c5cc9a3c4623660e1595b51cd5299f71f45a93d)
http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&0&2uswk&AS_1624 (http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&0&2uswk&AS_1624)
Runs fine, but the rotor bearing or mounting post is véry worn, making the rotor "rattle" against the caseback.
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi49.tinypic.com%2F517tc1.jpg&hash=dac1a9653fec4ce5c6bbe5d0661c8a336267e84c)
Nice supple grey gasket?
The caseback came off quite easily
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi50.tinypic.com%2Fx3a5mt.jpg&hash=c2723bdc3a3c1e4bbfed859b4f9abc6856a9d2b3)
Some quick polish of the cracked crystal reveals a nice dial and why it was a very good idea to add the vein in the hands.
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi50.tinypic.com%2F2zf28hl.jpg&hash=9d97b16fdad3c39d890290aaa3be3b056f030abb)
Caseback
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi46.tinypic.com%2F34j3s6o.jpg&hash=2a2353c0f50c7486560631d99984a88828813cd6)
Crown looks nice
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi50.tinypic.com%2F35bur1h.jpg&hash=1b0eea7cab19d8c5a0e85650f6b10742b4502373)
Comparing it with my "regular early seawolf"
No "swiss" on the dial!
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi47.tinypic.com%2F24mxbwm.jpg&hash=9bcee0db9d5d20f35219afe7b6208da60043f12b)
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi49.tinypic.com%2F2qbvyvm.jpg&hash=26b8a612508c5175fe7e3e2c967f3a3f9a7d824b)
I'll clean it some more, and will try to find a solution for the worn rotor bearing/ mounting post.
i think your latest one is a redial, note the slightly smaller numbers and lack of " swiss " at bottom of the dial.i dont know why but the re- dialers just cant get the exact right size on the numbers and leave off swiss a lot. it looks GOOD,though, a LOT better than average. hope you get it repaired and restored to its original glory---sea wolfs ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hm. Very competent redialer? Usually you can see a redial in two seconds... it still looks very nice :)
Back then they had the dies so they could make GOOD redials. Are you sure it does not say SWISS under the dial? The '61 catalog on ZC does show them to be marked.
I'll check! (It's not visible now, but I'll uncase the movement)
Here's the dial under normal light
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi46.tinypic.com%2F149yqll.jpg&hash=54b20f796f61542eec7d8e230e28a5644173b32f)
Nothing under the 6.
But at an angle, with the flash on from my phone camera reveals this!
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi48.tinypic.com%2Fmvq1w4.jpg&hash=d3a738c826aee50c602bb83a2572fc73736fa405)
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi46.tinypic.com%2F34rxfv6.jpg&hash=359aa1769adad2854a7d1bba59b9c8d341bd0c62)
A bit too close to the edge during stamping?
(And I found an AS rotor in my parts pile that fits and is less worn out :) )
I just walked around in the dark hall of my house and noticed a faint glow, not influenced by holding the watch next to a light. It's definately radium :)
Its original, move on to fixing it already!
:sho
;D
Congrats on a rare one! How much restoration are you planning to do?
BTW, my first generation Sea Wolf also only claims 10 ATM waterproof, though I didn't actually save any case back shots. It's also slightly smaller than the more commonly found 20 ATM versions, and has a different dial (arabics not enclosed) and the ribless hands:
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv235%2FZaphod04%2FZodiac%2520Sea%2520Wolf%25201st%2520Generation%2FP7280757.jpg&hash=feca02c198703700988f6a65e43b741b8157e3f3)
(https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv235%2FZaphod04%2FZodiac%2520Sea%2520Wolf%25201st%2520Generation%2FDSC00457.jpg&hash=8cda69c60f805c107289b12f8cc46cc93645d685)
:ur :wehe JOHN, nice one my friend, seldom seen--especially in this beautiful condition-- and a very uncluttered clean look. i love white faces with black hands, much easier for my tired old eyes to see.
Thanks Jon, it's always surprising to see how legible a dial Zodiac was able to squeeze into 35 and 34mm cases, back in the day. It would probably get a little more wrist time if the band weren't so tight (we all know how hard it is to find bands or spare links for the old Sea Wolves), though I would still baby it.
john, have you tried one of the bracelet extenders that fit in the clasp and give you some extra lenght? should be some on the bay. it is removeable so you can go back if you want to. just a thought, i know i cannot stand one too tight, i wear mine very loose.