Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 53 Compression Automatic Black

By Michael Penate

Today, Zodiac has announced a new addition to its growing Super Sea Wolf collection with a bit of a twist—if you consider what the catalog currently looks like. While we’ve been drawn to the collection’s vintage sizing and styling in the past, this watch presents a slight departure and shakes things up for collectors. It’s definitely not typical for the brand, and I’m curious to see if it will be well-received. So let’s break it down—here’s a quick look at the brand new Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 53 Compression Automatic Black.

One of the most immediately recognizable style elements is the fully black-plated stainless steel case and bracelet. It’s not something I’ve seen from Zodiac before and I’m sure the aggressive styling will pull in buyers that are looking for something outside of Zodiac’s usual approach. This finishing—paired with a beefy 44mm case diameter—presents us with a sleek, modern variant that balances the otherwise vintage-focused styling of the Super Sea Wolf family. And as someone that usually stays away from blacked-out watches, I have to say that this one looks stellar in the press photos. I always loved Zodiac’s use of a mineral crystal layer over the unidirectional dive bezel, and it appears that this watch also has that feature.

A closer look at the black sunray dial reveals a fun design touch as well. The ‘Sea Wolf Automatic’ text is rendered in a cool, aqua color tone that matches the hefty paddle seconds hand. It makes for a nice pop of color within a fully monochromatic watch design. Other features include AR coating, bright lume on the hands+hour markers, and a screw-down crown. Finally, the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 53 Compression Automatic Black comes with Fossil’s very own STP3-13 Automatic Movement. A vast improvement over the earlier STP1-11, this version brings us an extra jewel for the upper barrel arbor, a longer power reserve, and the convenience of a swan neck regulator.

Overall, aside from the blacked-out styling and larger case size, I’m sure Zodiac fans can expect the usual Super Sea Wolf experience. The changes are minimal, but I hope that this version draws in some new fans for Zodiac, especially if the 40mm case size is something that held them back in the past.

Zodiac Watches

Michael Penate

Co-Founder & Senior Editor

Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.