Editor’s Note: The watches used for this hands-on article are pre-production prototype models, with a notable typo printed on their world time bezels. Zodiac has confirmed that production models will use the correct spelling for “Singapore” on their bezels.
Although GMT complications are undoubtedly useful for travelers and international businesspeople alike, for sheer globetrotting functionality nothing beats a world timer. The ability to check and compare the time across 24 time zones simultaneously is a powerful tool, but in the current landscape these useful tools are mostly restricted to the upper echelons of the market. By contrast, the more affordable end of the industry offers relatively few options. Zodiac aims to change this with its latest releases, expanding its cornerstone Super Sea Wolf series and reviving a pair of original designs from 1970. The new limited edition Zodiac Super Sea Wolf World Time series continues the Super Sea Wolf’s track record of stylistic versatility, with a pair of designs that bring added utility to the line while bursting with early ‘70s visual charisma.
The 40mm stainless steel cases of both Zodiac Super Sea Wolf World Time models follow the familiar vintage-inspired Super Sea Wolf template. The overall design is a classically simple and straightforward take on the skin diver formula, with a large unguarded signed crown and sharply tapering chamfers atop the longish downturned lugs. The Super Sea Wolf World Time measures in at slightly thicker than the standard three-hand model at 13.6mm overall, but thanks in part to a deep bowl-like caseback the added thickness is essentially unnoticeable on the wrist. The real visual difference for these new models comes with the bezel inserts. Rendered in either classic black or a vibrant brick red, these inserts list 24 global destinations correlating to each of the 24 time zones. By rotating the bidirectional bezel to align the current location with the current time on the inner 24 hour ring, wearers can quickly and effectively determine the time anywhere else on earth. It may be a lower-tech solution than some of the world time complications offered in haute horlogerie circles, but this simple bezel-based system is both intuitive to use and feels suitably vintage in practice. Like their three-hand cousins, both variants of the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf World Time are rated for a scuba-ready 200 meters of water resistance.
Like the cases, the dials of the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf World Time series stay close to the original formula but iterate on the base design with unique new ideas. For those looking for a more restrained look, the black bezel variant is the clear choice, but this quieter model takes on some creative stylistic decisions. Rather than a standard black dial surface, this Super Sea Wolf World Timer instead uses a matte dial in a slightly warm medium putty gray, giving the ‘70s design a fresher and more contemporary feel. The rest of the design should be familiar to fans of the brand, with squared off baton hands, low-profile beveled applied indices, and Zodiac’s slightly busy script-style dial text. The use of white for the densely packed outer 24 hour ring helps to visually compress the rest of the dial on the wrist, leading this version to wear slightly smaller than the numbers suggest. Zodiac’s use of bright red for the GMT hand also adds a natural focal point to the otherwise monochrome layout. The red bezel model presents a more outsize personality on the wrist, with a heavily grained silver sunburst dial finish and a deep black outer 24 hour ring that gives the overall layout a stronger sense of contrast and visual depth. At the same time, this sunburst design is more firmly rooted in the Super Sea Wolf World Time’s ’70s aesthetic roots, giving this version a much more obviously vintage-inspired impression.
Both versions of the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf World Time use the Soprod C125 automatic GMT movement. The C125 is a relatively new platform in a field of decades-old movements, but since its introduction in 2016 the powerplant has already become a mainstay for numerous brands. Purists may decry its “caller” GMT layout, with a quickset GMT hand rather than an adjustable hour hand. However, the C125 offers reliable and affordable performance with a decent 42 hour power reserve at a 28,800 bph beat rate.
Zodiac pairs both versions of the Super Sea Wolf World Time with its unique take on the three link oyster-style stainless steel bracelet. With its elongated brushed center links and outer links with a sharply stepped profile, the overall look of the bracelet evokes early stretch link rivet bracelets but offers a sturdier solid link construction. It’s a versatile and vintage-inflected look that should work well in a variety of situations, but given the Super Sea Wolf’s adaptability an optional tropic strap would be a welcome addition.
With intuitive functionality and a pair of new designs that handsomely blend vintage and modern visual cues, the limited edition Zodiac Super Sea Wolf World Time series further proves the impressive stylistic adaptability of the Super Sea Wolf line. Only 500 examples of each variant will be made, for a total production run of 1,000 watches. The Zodiac Super Sea Wolf World Time is available now through authorized dealers at an MSRP of $1,795. For more information, please visit the brand’s website.
