Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Compression Two-Tone ZO9271 Review
“You Delta boys are a bunch of undisciplined cowboys. Let me tell you something, Sergeant. When we get on the five-yard line, you’re gonna need my Rangers. So y’all better learn to be team players.”
In the military, there are levels upon levels of specialty jobs, usually accompanied by various degrees of "flair." Zodiac Watches' release of the ZO9298 Super Sea Wolf Skeleton reminded me of this as I poured over ideas for a review of the ZO9271 Super Seal Wolf Compression Two-Tone. Watch brands, much like military organizations, tend to highlight the "high-speed" elements of their organizations. While this makes for good marketing, it is essential to remember the "rank and file" elements of an organization that allow you to prop up the shinier parts of the unit. Zodiac Watches continues to splash the market with innovative, colorful designs and usually through limited editions. I appreciate Zodiac's "high speed" stuff but believe that now is the time for Zodiac to highlight their foundational pieces, and I believe the ZO9271 demonstrates how they might do that.
Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Skeleton 6-15 ZO9208
Credits: Photo courtesy of Zodiac Watches
Two-tone watches usually come off as a flashier version of more established watch models. With Zodiac's deft use of color lately, one can see how a two-tone model is downright "normal." The gold in the piece is plated stainless, and the gold in the bezel insert is a mineral crystal with some gold markers. From a photography perspective, the gold in the bezel is beautiful and magically plays with the light. Gold adorns the bezel's circumference and the jubilee-style bracelet's center links. Overall, the gold plating of the watch is sharpish and adds an air of "business" to the piece.
At the heart of the ZO9271 is the Swiss Technology Product (STP) 3-13 automatic movement, a robust movement that offers a 48-hour power reserve and is technically an in-house movement as STP is owned by Fossil Group, Zodiac's parent company. The date function is a color matched to the dial at the 3 o'clock position and is nicely framed with a white beveled border. Rounding out the matte black dial are white, gold-framed rectangular indexes that maintain the forward-facing symmetry. The package is presented via a 40mm compression case that wears comfortably on the wrist without too much bulk at 12mm.
As with most of their Super Sea Wolf line, Zodiac nails little details that most of us watch enthusiasts crave, an above-average application of Super Lumi-Nova, a signed crown, and spring-loaded micro-adjustment on the bracelet. Did I mention that bracelet has just the right amount of "jangle?" Well, it does. The ZO9271 is a capable dive watch with 200m of water resistance, enough for actual divers and more than enough for us desk divers. The Z09271 can handle any situation and look good doing it.
The ZO9271 exemplifies my perfect intersection of horology and the military: an attention to detail, and this is the secret weapon that Zodiac has been using in all their limited editions. Look past the colors and excellent design cues, and what one finds is attention to the movements, materials, and execution. These are solid watches Zodiac is putting out, and they are doing so in a wide-open price bracket. Now is the time for Zodiac to apply this secret weapon to a core line of timepieces. I would like to see this spread across a line that honors their military heritage and not in a limited series. Zodiac, give us some pieces that we retired or active duty military watch enthusiasts can wear while continuing to honor our combined heritage.
“This ZO9271 is my personal piece. Zodiac Watch Company did not have any say in the review, and I maintained complete editorial control.”
