Sea Wolf Chrono

[Crownguard]

Hi,
I purchased this watch, today, and I am quite excited about it.
It is massive and sophisticated (valjoux 72).
Can you provide any information about it?
Crownguard

[Sea Wolf]

hmm, welcome to the zforums!

Can you tell us where you purchased this Zodiac and how much?

That model is not popular at all and I would be willing to take it off your hands for proper disposal.   

Seriously though that is the most desirable Zodiac model, some say the Holy Grail of Zodiacs.

Great purchase!

[Crownguard]

I purchased it in New York, this afternoon, and despite the weight of the watch on my wrist, my feet have yet to touch the ground.
The original bracelet shows wear and severe paint loss but still very usable.
The bezel is totally jammed.
The second hand used for the chronograph doesn't line up perfectly upon return and needs to be adjusted.
I attempted to buy one of these on Ebay recently but the auction shut down early. I think my example is as good as the one on Ebay and mine includes the original bracelet.
Can you tell me anything about the watch historically?
Crownguard

[Sea Wolf]

Butch will be along and be able to give you more history on this model.

"These watches were used by the Navy seals and Under water demolition teams and others. This is an excellent example, as most of them were working watches, and are usually found in a much more worn condition."

Check out the Gallery/Chrono for more photos and info on this model.

[Crownguard]

Thanks,
Were there any variations on these?
Crownguard

[Butch]

Hi Crown,

Really do not have much to add to what has been said. It is a very valuable piece, made in the 1970's. That is the only version I have ever seen. Retail on it was $340 in my 1975 Catalog.

I too would like to know what you had to pay for this as we have a discussion in another thread on a similar model.

[Crownguard]

$1,000

[Butch]

You got a a really great deal on that one Crown!

[Sea Wolf]

I admit, I want that watch 

Someday

[davec]

It wasn't in the flea market garage on 24th st, was it?


Haven't been there in ages.

[Crownguard]

No, and I can't reveal my sources.

Butch,
I gave you an honest answer as to what i paid.
What is your view (i.e., best guess) of the range of its worth?
Crownguard

[davec]

no problem,

valuing these is hard as so few come up but I think you did okay. 

[Sea Wolf]

I would have paid $900 + service, so you did ok, but without the quality service job.

Contact Butch for a proper service and you are good to go.

[Butch]

I would think this to be worth at least $1,500 once serviced and the band restored, or even if you just had them buff out the blue on the band. (It was available both ways, I never liked the blue version for the apparent reason.)

[Crownguard]

Butch,
The band links are black (the band has the Zodiac logo).
Crownguard

[Butch]

Sorry, thought they were blue, which was often seen. This band was used on several models and came in different colors as the center links were simply painted. There was even on in Red. There was also a couple bands that looked similar until, as you pointed out, are laid side by side. I have a couple around here, if I find one I will add it later.

As I have said elsewhere in the forum, jewelers would often swap bands in the shop at the customer's request, so any watch could have come with any band that fit it, in order to make the sale.

Again, you have found yourself a very nice rare watch at a great price. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[Butch]

Found them. Here is a NOS SS version. May not be the exact same as yours, but you get the idea.

[Crownguard]

Butch,
Same as mine.
Thanks for these insights.
Crownguard

[Butch]

All,

I just saw an example of what I was saying about jeweler's swapping bands to make the sale. Take a look at auction 300395512772. If what the seller says is true, then the jeweler did it. And we know what band that is from, don't we? Somehow I do not think the original owner went diving with this 3DMP.

Here is a picture from my 1966 catalog with the bands it came with.

[jon p]

 8)is that the spring loaded SW bracelet on ebay moonphase? sure looks good!

[cmoy]

Awesome find! Congrats Crownguard!  Love mine!

[Crownguard]

Have you a picture of it?
Crownguard

[cmoy]

Have mine on a tropic strap like shown in the ad...

[Crownguard]

Chris,
Beautiful watch.
The only difference in your watch compared to mine, aside from the fact that yours appears to be in better condition, is that that the hands on your minute and hour counters are white; whereas, those on mine are black.
Probably just a production variation.
Crownguard

[cmoy]

Thanks Crownguard!  I wouldn't be surprised if my chrono hands are not original.