Zodiac launched the Sea Wolf divers watch in 1953 and it was the first watch with a rotating bezel, alongside the Blancpain 50 fathoms.
This particular model with a light blue bezel is the 1750B and the serial numbers of these Bakelite bezel models generally run from 192xxxx. This serial number is 2349476. The model number is 722-946.
Inside the 70-72 movement is used. The movement has 17 jewels and operates at 21600 BPH. It has the benefit of hacking, which enables the user to set the time to the exact second.
This is a diver watch that moves away from the sheer functionality of the 1950s designs, pathing the way for the 1970s explosion of funky design. Sitting between the two, this is a functional, but charming diver watch. It has a beautiful sky blue Bakelite bezel, with playful index design with arrow heads at 12, 3, 6 and 9.
The case is compact at 35mm, which makes this an enjoyable wear for those who like divers, but dislike the watch engulfing the wrist. This compact size is balanced against the sky blue bi-directional Bakelite bezel.
The glossy back dial provides the perfect back drop for the bezel to take centre stage, with the arrowhead hour markers coming to the fore too, with their lumed finish.
The case was originally water tight to 200m depth. The watch comes on a vintage Black tropic strap which is in excellent condition.
The watch is a very good example. It is keeping time to within +25 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 255 and a beat error of 0.5 m/s.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Bezel:
The bezel is in very good condition, particularly when it comes to the even and bright colour of the blue.
Dial:
The dial is a glossy black colour with rhodium baton markers, applied Zodiac logo andtriangular markers at 12, 3, 6 and 9. The dial is in very good condition, with little to no signs of wear or discolouration. The silver minute track and signing on the dial are all clear and un-worn. The lume on the hour markers has been refinished. The matte black finish has some lighter spotted areas consistent with ageing.
Hands:
The hands are original and of the dauphine style and are in good condition. The lume has been re-finished on the hands due to the degradation of it over time.
Glass:
The crystal is the original Acrylic crystal. It is in very good condition.
Crown:
The crown is the original Zodiac crown. It winds and sets as it should and is in excellent condition.
Case:
The case is made of Stainless Steel and measures 35mm wide x 35mm long, without lugs. It is in very good condition and is un-polished. It maintains subtle traces of wear from its history. There are light surface scratches.
Caseback:
The caseback is a pressure push fit. It is made of Stainless Steel and is in good condition, with only light surface scratching. The engraving is still clear. There is a slight notch on the case where it is opened, which has widened slightly over time with use of a knife to open the back.
Inside of caseback:
The inside is signed with the reference ‘722-946B’, with the Zodiac signing and marking for Stainless Steel. It has a perlage finish inside. It is in very good condition with a new O-ring fitted.
Movement:
The movement inside is an automatic Zodiac calibre 70-72. The movement is incredibly robust, which made it the choice of watch for Navy Seals (As the legends say). The movement has 17 jewels and operates at 21600 BPH. It has the benefit of hacking, which enables the user to set the time to the exact second.
The watch is a very good example. It is keeping time to within +25 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 255 and a beat error of 0.5 m/s.
Strap:
The watch comes on a vintage Tropic strap, which is Black. The strap will fit up to a 9” wrist diameter.
Case dimensions:
The case is compact, but deep. The size is much more subtle than the dive watches from the 70s onwards.
Case width: 35mm
Case width with crown: 39mm
Case length: 35mm
Case length lug to lug: 42mm
Case Depth: 11.5mm
Lug width: 17mm