Zodiac

Table of Contents

Foundation & History

  • Established in 1882 by Ariste Calame in Le Locle, Switzerland, evolving from “Ariste Calame & Son” to “Zodiac” by 1908 with its first own calibers.
  • Introduced pioneering innovations: first Swiss automatic sports wristwatch and the Autographic model in 1930, and released the Sea Wolf dive watch in 1953—one of the earliest mass-market dive timepieces alongside Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and predating Rolex Submariner.
  • In the early 1970s, the Super Sea Wolf achieved 750 m water resistance and was adopted by the U.S. Navy SEALs.
  • After financial struggles in the 1990s, it was acquired by Fossil Group in 2001; production remains Swiss-made, headquartered in Texas.

Market Position
- Today part of Fossil Group but positioned as a heritage Swiss watchmaker with strong roots in dive and technical tool watches.
- Flagship collections include Super Sea Wolf (dive), Sea‑Chron (chronograph), Olympos (dress/military), and heritage reissues like Astrographic and Sea Dragon.
- Appeals to enthusiasts seeking vintage-inspired Swiss tool watches with modern reliability and colorful retro styling.

Unique Features & Value
- Pioneering dive heritage: Sea Wolf was one of the first dive watches for consumers; Super Sea Wolf’s military-grade 750 m water resistance remains iconic ().
- In‑house and Swiss-made movements: From original calibers to modern STP (Swiss Technology Production) automatics.
- Bold, distinctive designs: Vintage-forward aesthetics with vibrant colors, retro touches, GMT and skeleton chronographs, as well as unique Astrographic transparency dials.
- Accessible heritage: Offers Swiss craftsmanship and technical lineage at mid-tier prices within the Fossil portfolio.

Origin of the Name
- The name “Zodiac,” registered in 1908, reflects its alignment with celestial and navigational themes—apt for a brand famous for its dive and GMT watches.

Summary
Zodiac blends over 140 years of Swiss innovation with distinct vintage flair. Known for its pioneering dive watches, unique designs, and Swiss craftsmanship, it offers enthusiasts a heritage brand with modern reliability and standout style.

Models

Olympos

Featuring an iconic Manta Ray shaped case, unique four quadrant dial finish, Swiss-made STP 1-11 automatic movement.

watches/zodiac-olympos.webp

watches/zodiac-11.13_CP_Olympos_C.2_D.jpg

https://www.zodiacwatches.com/en-us/collections/heritage/olympos

Olympos Automatic

$995

watches/zodiac-ZO9714_main.webp

https://www.zodiacwatches.com/en-us/products/dress-olympos-automatic-leather-watch/ZO9714.html

links

social