Zodiac Goes Green with a Limited Super Sea Wolf

Years from now, when we look back on the watches of 2020, there’s a good chance that it’ll be clear to all that it was truly the year of the green dial. So many brands went green this year, it’s either one of those examples of everyone having the same idea at the same time (like when Armageddon and Deep Impact were released in theaters within months of each other) or these brands are responding to a need that they’ve clearly identified in their customer base – and green watches are just what the people demand. Now, late in the year and just in time for the holiday season, Zodiac has introduced a green dialed version of their wonderful Super Sea Wolf 53 Compression watch.

The Super Sea Wolf is simply a great vintage inspired diver. We’ve seen a variety of dial variants on this form factor in recent years, and whether Zodiac goes with a basic black or something more imaginative and whimsical, it always seems to work. The case lines recall vintage skin divers, the kind of unassuming, purpose built dive watches bought in a dive shop, not a jewelry store. There’s a romantic quality to a watch like this that doesn’t require diving experience to understand. With a 40mm diameter and those prominent, elongated lugs, the Super Sea Wolf 53 Compression has a ton of wrist presence and always feels ready for adventure. Mix a fun color into the equation, and the watch begins to take on a real personality. 

The watch looks great in green, with a subtle gradient effect on the dial. A minutes track in a paler shade, and a solid green rotating dive bezel provide some nice contrast, even with only one color to work with. Hour markers are applied rectangles, and are filled with (green) lume. The Super Sea Wolf 53 carries a water resistance rating of 200 meters, so even though it looks like a midcentury vintage watch, it’s a completely suitable companion for all manner of watersports.

It’s worth noting that the idea for this watch came from a fan, providing an answer to the rhetorical question posed at the top of this post, at least for this specific timepiece. This watch’s existence, then, is a nice reminder that even one of the larger small brands in this space like Zodiac, part of the absolutely enormous Fossil Group, is listening to customers. That’s one of the great things about the hobby at this level – consumers and enthusiasts truly play a role in what gets made. 

This release is a limited edition of just 82 pieces, and can be purchased through an Italian retailer here. The retail price is $1,095. Zodiac