Zodiac Ceramic Tremendous Sea Wolf
Right here we’re with one other model of this iconic watch, the Zodiac Ceramic Tremendous Sea Wolf. Sure, Zodiac has jumped into the ceramic watch circumstances, as they’ve been attempting to develop their lineup this previous 12 months, utilizing totally different supplies for each the dials and circumstances. Meteorite, titanium, and now ceramic. Excessive gloss, all-black ceramic with a deep blue dial, however this one has a novel twist, the ceramic case is over a metal exoskeleton, which is fairly attention-grabbing, and makes this watch fairly distinctive. Restricted to 500 items and priced at $1,695, fairly a superb worth contemplating that is nonetheless a COSC-certified piece.
Specs:
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40mm
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316 Metal and Ceramic Case
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13.5mm Thick
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20mm Lug Width
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48mm Lug to Lug
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94.8 grams in weight
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STP1-11 Computerized Motion
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Sapphire Crystal
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Ceramic Bezel Insert
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200m Water Resistance
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Tropic Rubber Strap
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Made in Switzerland
Priced at $1,695
Zodiac Ceramic Tremendous Sea Wolf Webpage
Though this is similar design that Zodiac has been utilizing for years now, there’s nonetheless lots to unpack right here. Sure, the specs look fairly much like all of their different choices, however then you definitely see ceramic. However not simply ceramic, ceramic and chrome steel. I admit, that had me scratching my head as nicely when the Zodiac Ceramic Tremendous Sea Wolf arrived as nicely. Ceramic will not be a brand new case materials, actually, many manufacturers have been utilizing ceramic for many years now, with IWC and Rado introducing it within the 80s. Nowadays, you’ll be able to even get a ceramic look ahead to $300, even from Fossil, Zodiac’s father or mother model.
Now that $300 Fossil is quartz, has a mineral crystal, and is simply 5atm water-resistant, so not in the identical league as this Zodiac Ceramic Tremendous Sea Wolf, however the reality stays you will get a “low-cost” ceramic watch (with a ceramic bracelet as nicely) if you happen to need one. Not like the fossil, the case of this ceramic diver is a two-piece case, with a ceramic case over a metal case, or at the least a metal exoskeleton with metal lugs and a case again that’s DLC coated. I’m informed it’s not a coating, it’s an precise case over a case and the objective right here is to present the ceramic case energy to stop it from being brittle and smashing into items if and when it’s dropped or banged into one thing onerous. Ceramic is extraordinarily scratch resistant and really fade resistant as nicely, however due to how onerous it’s, it may be brittle. How this ceramic/metal case mashup really holds up, solely time will inform with the five hundred consumers who received one. I personally would nonetheless take excellent care of this watch as you’d with every other ceramic piece. In any case, $1700 will not be a small amount of money, particularly today.
The dial is particular on this restricted mannequin as nicely, despite the fact that at first look it seems much like the opposite Tremendous Sea Wolf fashions. A domed sapphire crystal sits atop a darkish blue dial, and the dial itself is exclusive in that it’s calmly textured, however appears to have a slight gradient to it. Working with the domed sapphire, it creates a sunray sample impact, nevertheless it’s not an precise sunray dial, at the least not what I think about one. The feel is tough to see except you get shut up, usually it simply seems to be a darkish blue dial. The minute hand is finished in black as are all of the indices utilized, and it’s a very nice element that matches the black of the ceramic case, and topping all of it off is a grey chapter ring.
The dial textual content however, nicely is one thing I’ve complained about on the entire Sea Wolf fashions, and sadly nothing has modified on this Zodiac Ceramic Tremendous Sea Wolf. Some could not care about this in any respect and simply say I’m nitpicking, however the unmatched textual content font, which is kind of giant for a small dial akin to this, simply does not look proper. It jogs my memory of Christopher Ward and their brand points that that they had for years, which solely received corrected throughout the previous two years lastly, although it hasn’t made its strategy to all fashions but. I hope Zodiac takes this suggestions as constructive and possibly the designers can do a extra cohesive and correctly sized font for future fashions.
Trying over the remainder of the watch, this Tremendous Sea Wolf is provided with the STP1-11 motion, Fossil’s personal motion and this one is a licensed chronometer, which does play into the next worth than the opposite variations of this mannequin. Whereas I’ve by no means had a problem myself with this motion or seen a problem with this instance, over the numerous Zodiac critiques I’ve achieved over time, the feedback in regards to the motion are inevitable. Principally, crown and winding points are the principle complaints. I’ve at all times said I’m not one to wind my watch, I’m a shake-and-go sort of man, at all times have been, in order that could possibly be the principle purpose I’ve not encountered this concern. Hopefully, Fossil rectifies this within the close to future.
To wrap this all up, this restricted Zodiac Ceramic Tremendous Sea Wolf is kind of the engaging piece, and when in comparison with all the opposite variations of this 40mm compression mannequin, I imagine that is the greatest-looking one within the bunch. That’s stunning, contemplating I’m not into extremely polished shiny items usually, however the deep black of this ceramic simply seems implausible, and together with the darkish blue dial, it’s a fantastic-looking piece. The lume is nice sufficient, not nice, simply because it has been on latest Zodiac fashions, and at $1700 I’d have wished they’d have included one in all their new rubber dive straps over this tropic rubber, as they appear and feel far more premium to me. With solely 500 of this model, few will be capable to get their fingers on one, however I’m betting Zodiac will make some totally different ceramic items sooner or later, particularly if these find yourself promoting nicely.
