This gelato-tone Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Ceramic is the ideal summer watch
Jamie WeissThe Northern Hemisphere might be freezing its collective arse off in the depths of winter right now, but Down Under, we’ve got summer heat and blue skies (if you ignore the fact that it rained torrentially for much of last week here on the east coast of Australia – but we love a summer storm, too). Dive watches already naturally lend themselves well to summer activities – whether that’s trips to the beach, hitting the clubs or surviving summer downpours – but the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Ceramic might just be one of the best summer watches on the market right now, thanks to its combination of balmy gelato-like tones, a sporty vintage aesthetic and daily wearer specs.
What’s your flavour?
The Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Ceramic comes in three different flavours: a dark blue dial with light blue accents, a cream dial with orange accents, or green with dark orange accents. Andrew loves the cream and orange, which he talked about in his chat with James McVey that we recently published, but I’m personally a bigger fan of the green model, which I chose for my review. Maybe I like it because I’m a fan of mint ice cream, which I can’t help but crave once the mercury starts rising, but also because I think it oozes Miami Beach/Palm Springs/Gold Coast/sun-bleached vibes. Orange is a classic dive watch colour, but combine it with that aquatic, seaweedy, pastel green and glossy white ceramic? It’s the summer on your wrist.
A curious construction
At under US$2,000 and just shy of A$3,000, the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Ceramic represents one of the most affordable ceramic watches from a genuine watchmaker (i.e. not a crappy fashion watch) on the market, undercutting competitors like the Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic and Tudor Black Bay Ceramic by thousands of dollars. So how do Zodiac do it for the money? Well, unlike those other two watches I mentioned, the case of the SSW Ceramic isn’t entirely ceramic. While the bezel and crown are fashioned wholly out of ceramic, the rest of the case – including the lugs – are made from stainless steel which is capped with a roughly 2mm layer of ceramic. From the top down, the watch looks like it’s totally ceramic, but flip it over and you’ll reveal Zodiac’s trick.
When I first realised this about this watch, I had mixed feelings. Generously, you could call it an ingenious solution that helps keep costs down. If you were feeling less generous, you’d say that this makes it not a proper ceramic watch. What I would say is that most ceramic watches still have metal casebacks and movement containers, and of course, the movements found in ceramic watches aren’t made ceramic. Interestingly, Zodiac isn’t the only brand that uses this method of case construction: the A$76,400 Chanel Monsieur de Chanel Superleggera Intense Black Edition also has a steel case clad in ceramic, and that’s not a watch you’d call a cost-cutting exercise.
You might also think that because its case isn’t totally ceramic, the SSW Ceramic might be heavier than your typical ceramic watch – and while it’s not the lightest watch in the world, it’s actually about 20 grams lighter than a Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic on a rubber strap. (The Captain Cook is a bigger watch, sure, but the point still stands: the SSW Ceramic isn’t a heavyweight). Another advantage of this case design is that, because its lugs are still made from steel and are connected to the case, you don’t have to worry about them chipping off – a common fear associated with ceramic watches. That’s particularly reassuring considering how long the SSW Ceramic’s lugs are: it’s a 41mm watch with a 51mm lug-to-lug.
Fun in the sun
While I think this Zodiac’s charming good looks is its biggest selling point, it’s also a decent tool watch. While ceramic is not particularly shock-resistant, it is very scratch-resistant, which is ideal for the rigours of aquatic work and play. The knurling on the SSW Ceramic’s bezel is also extremely grippy – almost sharp, even – making it easy to manipulate even with wet or pruney fingers. Its large lume plots and blocky handset are very legible in low-light conditions, it’s water-resistant to 200 metres, and its STP 1-11 movement, while only boasting a 44-hour power reserve, is COSC-certified.
Closing thoughts
There’s probably no other segment that’s as competitive as dive watches in modern horology, and Zodiac is a brand that’s best known for its dive watches. If I had to sum up Zodiac’s point of difference in this crowded market, it’s that – beyond its heritage and design language – Zodiac is colourful. Zodiac started the trend towards funky dive watch colours as early as the 1960s and hasn’t stopped playing with colours since. Whether it’s taking inspiration from laser tag to democratising rainbow-bezel skeletonised watches or experimenting with stone dials, Zodiac combines bold hues with Swiss-made bona fides and dependable specs at approachable prices.
The Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Ceramic range epitomises this. They’re fun, they’re affordable, but they’re also proper dive watches from a watchmaker that’s been formative in the development of this genre of timepieces. In green, it’s one of my favourite summer watches – but I don’t think you’re restricted to wearing it purely seasonally. On the contrary: if you’re wasting away in winter (or anywhere that’s not Australia – sorry, not sorry), strapping one of these to your wrist is bound to bring a little sunshine to your day.
Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Ceramic pricing and availability
The Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Ceramic collection is available now in the Time+Tide Shop, either online or in-store at our Melbourne Discovery Studio. Price: A$2,999
| Brand | Zodiac |
| Model | Super Sea Wolf Ceramic |
| Reference Number | ZO9592 (model tested) |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 13.2mm (T) x 51mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel with ceramic cap |
| Weight | 100 g |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Green sunburst |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Tropic-style rubber strap with stainless steel pin buckle |
| Movement | STP 1-11, automatic, COSC |
| Power Reserve | 44 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, unidirectional diving bezel |
| Availability | Available now from the Time+Tide Shop |
| Price | A$2,999 |