Of course, today no one needs a world time watch. Our smartphones automatically adjust to local time, and we can find other time zones on Google. But that's what makes these watches special: by nature, they are retro. In this spirit, Zodiac is re-releasing its classic 1970 automatic world time watch.
The reissue, Limited Edition Super Sea Wolf World Time, is not an exact copy. In most cases, it's the same watch, but Zodiac has made a few changes to the original design. I recently acquired one of these limited edition watches and conducted a thorough test drive. Here's what I found out.
Classic World Time Watch Design
The first thing fans of the 1970 version will notice is that the Limited Edition Super Sea Wolf World Time is noticeably larger: 40mm diameter instead of 36mm. This allows for a larger, less cluttered dial and a wider 24-hour chapter ring. On my watch, the chapter ring is blue with white Arabic numerals, but other color schemes are available.
Many GMT watches are equipped with a hand-setting ring and a GMT hand. But true world time watches also have a rotating bezel. On my watch, this bezel is red with white text indicating 24 major cities across all time zones. This is a noticeable improvement over the original version, which fit up to 28 cities on a small bezel. The new improved version is much clearer and more functional. To use the world time function, simply align London on the bezel with the GMT hand. This will show you the current time anywhere in the world. You can also do this by aligning the current time zone with the local time hand on the chapter ring.
The case back is made of smooth steel, engraved with the Zodiac emblem and basic information, and the entire case is water-resistant up to 200 meters.
Beautiful Matte Dial
Inside the blue chapter ring, the rest of the dial is made of matte steel with brush strokes radiating from the center. On the upper half of the dial, the words “Super Sea Wolf” are printed in blue script, with the Zodiac emblem just above. On the lower half of the dial, the words “World Time Automatic” are printed in a similar font.
Outside, inside the chapter ring, there are small black markers indicating individual minutes. The five-minute positions are marked by large silver applied indices with luminous strips along the outer edges. These indices are beveled on the sides, breaking the color pattern and making them more noticeable. At the 3 o'clock position, there is a simple white date window with black Arabic numerals on the inside.
The minute and hour hands have a similar design, silver and rectangular, with luminous strips in the center; the only difference is that the minute hand is longer. The second hand is very thin but has a square luminous marker at the end. Finally, there is a GMT hand, rectangular like the hour and minute hands, but made of red metal, with a rectangle of lume at the end.
Upgraded Movement
The last update in this limited series is the movement. The original 1970 World Time model used the Caliber 75 movement. There's nothing wrong with the Caliber 75, but it's an outdated movement, and a quality reissue deserves a modern movement. Instead, the Super Sea Wolf uses the Soprod C125 movement. This automatic movement has a 42-hour power reserve, which is on par with most modern watches. Additionally, it features a hacking second hand, making it easier to reset the time. Finally, thanks to the accuracy and reliability of the C125 movement, you'll need to reset the time less frequently.
High-Quality Additional Equipment
The Super Sea Wolf strap is a simple three-link stainless steel model with a secure lobster clasp. There's nothing flashy about it, but it's not needed: the dial and case speak for themselves. Meanwhile, the links are tightly assembled, making them comfortable to wear.
Along with the watch itself, you get an attractive black storage box with a felt lining to protect your investment. The package also includes a beautiful polishing cloth printed with a world map. It features time zones in case you're unsure which one you're in. Even if you never use this cloth, it will be a pleasant extra touch.
For more detailed information and specifications, visit the official Zodiac website.