1960s Zodiac Sea Wolf Datographic Diver watch Ref 1750B, 722-946, Blue bakelite bezel
 
Zodiac launched the Sea Wolf divers watch in 1953. The datographic was featured at the Swiss Watch Pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. 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 2207348. The model number is 722-946.
 
Inside the 72B movement is used. The movement has 21 jewels and operates at 21600 VPH. It has the benefit of hacking, which enables the user to set the time to the exact second. The date also has a quickset function. To advance the date, simply depress the crown.
 
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 baby blue Bakelite bezel, with playful index design with arrow heads at 6, 9 and 12, balancing with the date window at 3.
 
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 baby 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 is water-tight, originally to 200m depth. The watch comes on a vintage Hong Kong made, dark grey tropic strap, which is in NOS condition.
 
Condition snap shot:
The watch is well preserved overall. It has been recently serviced. It is keeping time to within -18 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 290 and a beat error of 0.6 m/s.
 
The case appears to be un-polished, maintaining subtle traces of wear from it’s history. The manufacture engravings to the case back are still clear and have depth to them. The bezel is in good condition, particularly when it comes to the even and bright colour of the blue/grey. There is one slight blemish from a scrape/scratch on the right-hand side, just above the 3 o’clock.
 
The black gloss 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 of the hour marks has gained a consistent patina in a creamy colour. The hands are original and are in good condition. The lume has been re-finished on the hands due to the degradation of it over time. This helps protect the dial from wear.
 
The crystal is the original Acrylic crystal. It is in good condition overall but does have one nick between 1 and 2 O’clock.
 
 
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Bezel:
The bezel is in good condition, particularly when it comes to the even and bright colour of the blue/grey. There is one slight blemish from a scrape/scratch on the right-hand side, just above the 3 o’clock.
 
Dial:
The dial is a glossy black colour with applied tritium and rhodium baton markers, applied Zodiac logo, with date at 3 o'clock. 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 of the hour marks has gained a consistent patina in a creamy colour.
 
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. This helps protect the dial from wear.
 
Glass:
The crystal is the original Acrylic crystal. It is in good condition overall but does have one nick between 1 and 2 O’clock.
 
Crown:
The crown is the original Zodiac crown. It is designed in such a way that it sits out a bit further than most crowns due to the quickset date setting. It winds and sets as it should.
 
Case:
The case is made of Stainless Steel and measures 35mm wide x 35mm long, without lugs. It is in average condition, appearing to be un-polished, maintaining subtle traces of wear from its history. There are light surface scratches. One noticeable issue is a dented area on the bottom left lug. This makes the underside of the lug appear thinner.
 
Caseback:
The caseback is a pressure push fit, which makes it difficult to re-seal on your own and difficult to open. 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 peerlage finish inside. It is in very good condition with a new O-ring fitted.
 
Movement:
The movement inside is an automatic Zodiac calibre 72B. The movement is incredibly robust, which made it the choice of watch for Navy Seals (As the legends say). The movement has 21 jewels and operates at 21600 VPH. It has the benefit of hacking, which enables the user to set the time to the exact second. The date also has a quickset function. To advance the date, simply depress the crown. It has been recently serviced.
 
It is keeping time to within -18 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 290 and a beat error of 0.6 m/s.
 
Strap:
The watch comes on a vintage Hong Kong made, dark grey tropic strap, which is in NOS condition. The strap will fit up to a 7.5” wrist diameter. The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference to give a clear idea of the proportions.
 
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