
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Zodiac Sea Wolf Day-Date (Ref. 762-966), 1970s
- Maker / attribution
- Zodiac (maker)
- Date
- 1970s
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 36 mm
- Stock no.
- ZSW762966
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (ZSW762966)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1970s Zodiac Sea Wolf Day-Date (Ref. 762-966) (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number ZSW762966), this is a wristwatch by Zodiac, made in Switzerland, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 36 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Craft & Tailored
When it comes to under the radar vintage watch companies, Zodiac should be one of the first brands to come to mind. Zodiac made several sports models in the 50s-60s and were direct competitors to Rolex, Blancpain, and Tudor but are often looked over as they don't receive the same clout as the aforementioned companies. However, this is to the advantage of the collectors that enjoy the subtle, or not so subtle nuances that the Zodiac timepieces carry. Zodiac timepieces often feature bright color combinations that can make any vintage watch collector swoon. The Sea Wolf was introduced first in 1953 (the same year as the Rolex Submariner) and was one of the first diving sports watches marketed for the general public and it performed really well for the brand. The second generation of Sea Wolfs includes some of the most interesting and colorful diving watches from the era, bright oranges, blues, and greens to make both highly visible and highly attractive wristwatches. SPECS Stock # ZSW762966 Brand Zodiac Style Sea Wolf Model 762-966 Serial N/A Size Men's Material SS Dial Blue Millimeters 36mm Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The case remains in wonderful condition and has been previously lightly polished, showing very minimal signs of use. The original blue bakelite bezel is in overall very presentable condition, retaining its tritium triangle at the 12 o'clock position, the bezel does show some wear and age which is normal for this era or bezel. The case back retains all of its original factory markings in visibly legible condition. The catch will come supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The original blue dial is in excellent vintage condition and shows some light marks from age that are only visible under a magnified loupe. The tritium filled lume plots have achieved a lovely creamy patina and exhibit no degradation when inspected under U.V. light. The original paddle-style hands feature and early tritium restoration and have taken on an interesting blue coloration, which makes the watch's aesthetic nicely. ACCESSORIES
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Calendar, moon-phase and perpetual calendar watches
Calendar complications range from a simple date to the perpetual calendar, which automatically allows for months of different lengths and leap years until 2100. Pocket watches with perpetual calendars were made in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; Patek Philippe made the first perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1925, and series production followed in 1941. The annual calendar (Patek Philippe, 1996) needs correction only once a year.
Moon-phase displays use a disc with two moons and 59 teeth advanced daily, approximating the 29.5-day lunation; more precise trains reduce the error to one day in over a century.
What to look for
- Apertures or subsidiary dials for day, date, month and leap year.
- Moon disc under a 'bosom' shaped aperture.
- Recessed correctors on the case band for setting the calendar.
Dating clues
- Triple-date wristwatches: popular c. 1940–1955.
- Perpetual calendar wristwatches: from 1925 (unique) and 1941 (series).
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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