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Zodiac Sea Wolf (Ref. 722-946B) White Dial & White Bezel, 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Zodiac Sea Wolf (Ref. 722-946B) White Dial & White Bezel, 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Zodiac (maker)
Date
1970s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
ZSW722946B-8
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (ZSW722946B-8)
Catalogue title (original)
1970s Zodiac Sea Wolf (Ref. 722-946B) White Dial & White Bezel (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number ZSW722946B-8), 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. 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 who 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 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 # ZSW722946B-8 Brand Zodiac Style Sea Wolf Model 722-946B Serial 19XXXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial White Millimeters 35.5 Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The impressive case exhibits full and symmetrical lugs that show minimal evidence of previous polishing and gentle signs of use throughout. The original and uncommonly seen white bakelite bezel is in exceptional condition, with no cracking and only subtle signs of previous use. The case retains its original Zodiac-signed crown, however, the quickest function is no longer present which is very common in these models. The case back retains all of the factory markings in crisp condition. The watch comes supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The original and seldomly seen white dial is in impressive vintage condition, showing only light elements of age and no real damage. The tritium lume plots remain fully intact after UV light inspection and feature the characteristic green color hue of Zodiac watches of this era. The original tritium hands are black to contrast with the white dial, the lume has achieved a partially brown and partially yellow patina and under UV light inspection the hour had does exhibit some lume loss while the minute hand remains fully intact. 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

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

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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