Zodiac
1970s Zodiac Sea Wolf SST 36000 (Ref. 862-952)
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. Keeping this in mind, Zodiac is one of the more undervalued Swiss timepiece companies to come from this "golden era" of sports watches. From then, Zodiac went on to produce countless other quality sport and dress models that to this day remain at an affordable price point but still carry the colorful Zodiac charm.
The Sea Wolf SST 36000 ref. 862-952 is one of the more unique models to hail from the 1970s "golden era" of watches. The SST 36000 features an odd, but beautiful coffin-shaped case, along with twin bullhead style crowns, an inner rotating super compressor-like bezel, and clear resin indices on the dial. The SST 36000 movement was the premier offering of Zodiac at the time, featuring a high-beat 36000 bpm movement and a quickset date function operated by pushing down on the winding crown. This amalgamation of features resulted in one of Zodiac's most avant-garde designs that is both a conversation piece and worthy of wrist time.
SPECS
| Stock # | ZSWSST862952 | |
| Brand | Zodiac | |
| Style | Sea Wolf SST 36000 | |
| Model | 862-952 | |
| Serial | N/A | |
| Size | Men's | |
| Material | Stainless Steel | |
| Dial | Matte Black | |
| Millimeters | 39 | |
| Bracelet | 2pc Rubber Tropic Strap |
CASE & BRACELET
The exceptionally impressive coffin-style case is in "like new" condition, remaining in factory unpolished condition with crisp brushing and edges that show almost no signs of previous use. The case retains its original Zodiac signed twin bullhead crowns. The case back retains its factory concentric brushing and all of its factory markings in excellent condition. The watch will come supplied on a 2pc rubber tropic strap.
DIAL & HANDS
The colorful black orange and white dial layout give this watch a handsome retro aesthetic and easy legibility. The center matte black portion of the dial does show some aging in the form of oil stains throughout the outer portion of the dial and some light marks. The clear resin indices are topped with reflective orange paint and backed with tritium lume that would cause the resin to glow when the tritium was still active. Under U.V. light inspection the 11 o'clock marker is missing its lume and the rest of the markers retain the lume with light degradation throughout, however, this is difficult to see with the naked eye. The inner rotating white and orange bezel is in excellent condition and retains its tritium triangle. The original hour and minute hands have been professionally restored with luminova, the red sweep-second hand was replaced prior to our aquisition.
ACCESSORIES
None. The watch was recently serviced and is keeping time perfectly, backed by a 1-year warranty on accurate timekeeping.