What are the essentials for a Zodiac Collection?

[davec73]

Hey guys,

Thought it'd be interesting to see what others thought essential items would be for a representative collection on Zodiac's many years of horological craftmanship.

My first essential, if you could only have one.  Metal bezel, black dial, with date Seawolf, on a classic rivet expansion bracelet. 

Unfortunately, the one I have, though it runs like a charm, looks like its been through a lot in its long life.  Though its still attractive, in a Ernest Borgnine kinda way.

[Sea Wolf]

I like that exact watch without the Date.  I think the date takes away from the good looks of that dial and
because that's the model I have...no date.

Anything Pre-Fossil, in my opinion are the only real Zodiacs.

[jon p]

 your #1 choice is also mine! i have the same SW i bought new in 1968 with the "bead" bracelet.it started my zodiac collection 40 years later.i just am glad i kept it all this time. yourSW is in excellent condition-all the lume is in the hands still. i also like the dateless dial, i am looking for a nice one w/white dial. i also have some newer zodiacs-both automatic and quartz plus a restored jet w/black 24hr dial and a recently restored GMT w/black dial.it is an early model with red arrow tip gmt hand and skinny hour/min hands.it has the early metal bezel. my special one though is a manual wind 17j hermetic that my parents gave me for my 13th b-day in 1958-9. it is a s/s case with white dial w/gold markers & hands.i am 64 now so i HAVE had it for a while!still runs good-someday i want to have it re-dialed to get rid of the age spots and discolor.not a collector piece but a lot of memories.sadly, both my parents are now departed but i still have the watch they gave me. i also collect bulova  and i have a couple of fantastic wakmann chronos-a 2 and a 3 register.i do have a varied collection but the zodiacs are my favorites!!  JON

[Butch]

I think you know mine so I will refrain from supplying the link.   

[flyingdutchman]

 The SeaWolf below is out at BWG. I will give a quick snapshot when it comes back. I also think the SeaWolf is a must have in any Zodiac Collection. My collection consists of 2..Ha Ha. They both are in need of a little help. Mine are so bad they look like Ernest Borgnine at the end of Poseidon Adventure.

[jon p]

  hey,your SWs really look GOOD and your jet has LOTS of potential--good case and nice dial.a new crystal will really make it nice. a crystal is inexpensive and makes a BIG difference-lets that nice dial be seen.  BWG does fantastic work-be sure to let us see it when it gets back and let us know what was done to it.  JON