Vintage Zodiac Sea Wolf Watch Restoration (Part 1)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ม.ค. 2025
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Well here we go with another watch first for me. In this video I will strip down a vintage Zodiac Sea Wolf watch and try to find out why it is not running. I am hoping to restore this watch and get it running again for its owner.
The Sea Wolf is a collectors item being one of the first dive watches and came on the market in the early 50s.
This is a long video as I find many problems along the way in the disassembly.
I hope you all enjoy this one..
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That was an award winning case design (Zodiac patent) and one of the first of the deeper dive watches. The bezel is base metal (brass) that is nickel / chrome plated. I have had success replating these and refilling the script. Easy watch to relume also. It was one of the most popular watches with the ground soldiers in Vietnam in the early 60s along with the Seiko 6105 in the 70s.
Good work and thanks for the video. Like you, my hobby and reticent to do others!
Geoff Quickfall do you know if the Lume was radium ? It looks like it to me
My Retro Watches: check this URL but I think with yours with the Seawolf and Automatic in cursive and the bezel missing the 15, and 45 count that it is tritium. The earlier versions were radium and only 10atm versus yours with the 20 atm case. I treat the dial on older watches without the t-Swiss-t as radium and minimize the dust by adding water to the dial as I pick at it and a mask on me. I have a lead container / jar that I keep the old lume in then take it to the local university where they dispose of it. Either that or make a small reactor with the left over!
thespringbar.com/blogs/guides/the-zodiac-sea-wolf/
I learn much of the process you go through as you are looking at the watch for the first time. thanks for taking the time to post.
Just repaired and serviced a Watch with a Cal 2481 Tissot / Omega Movement for a good friend so I know how you feel, nerve-wracking does not cover it, however it all ended well so keep the faith Mike.
I enjoyed watching you struggle and seeing springs fly out of the watch because at least it’s not just me that happens to! I’m sure you’ll have it up and running soon.
Nice video. Following with interest. Thanks for taking the time to record and show.
Excellent! I love this Zodiac model without the date! Looking super forward to the restoration! How many people get to view their grail watch being restored! Wished it was mine! :D This is a good episode IMO!
Andy B thanks so much. I was not happy with this video so I am glad you guys are enjoying it.
Lovely watch, no confusing extras, no quartz, automatic... great..
watching this video and fly tying ....so relaxing...very good video friend
The old Zodiacs recently got my interest! Amazing video! Can’t wait for the next one!
Lone Star Dude thanks. Not sure when the next will be on this, when I have found some parts I guess. Stay tuned
Awesome! I love the old Zodiac's. Glad to see this on the bench!
Thanks for another great video Mike.
Very interesting to se a movement I've not seen before, like you I've mostly done Seiko, so this was totally new to me. It was in a bit poor state, but I'm sure you going to make it tick again.
Love this video. I don't think you give yourself enough credit. Zodiac are amazing watches.
Respect!
Such an impressive video. Just bought a similar Sea Wolf.
Can't wait to watch this series. Looks like fun!
Mike, you fought the good fight. It resisted you all along the way. Really looking forward to seeing what will clean up.
Finally gonna do it. I am out of town until Thursday but Friday I will tear down my first movement and attempt to put it back together. Luckily I already have a microscope. It’s digital I use it for fine electronic work. I finally got my Mumbai special I think it is marked oris on the dial. The watch works so I will call it a success if it starts running after I rebuild it. Thanks so much for your videos I have been kinda gun shy because I have taken apart way more complicated movements than the 60s era hand wind job. That was a genius suggestion to get one of those to learn on since they are simple compared with say a Seiko. The digital microscope either takes pictures or videos. So I’m set there again thanks for sharing and your suggestions on how to start. Hopefully in a few years I’ll get good. Also inspecting the jewels with a microscope. No one has ever given that tip that I have heard. A quick question do you use something other than the cleaning machine to clean out the jewels or is there a special tool made to clean them, or what? Thanks again friend.
Awesome to see you tackle this
Hopefully after I do this Elgin travel alarm clock that I posted in the group I can work on a pocket watch or something like this. I love Zodiac watches. Very nicely done my dude!
The only diver I've ever seen that doesn't make me want to chuck it back in the ocean 👍
Zotel Acronym haha, I’m not a massive diver fan either. As this one looks more like a dress watch, and because it’s one of the first I would own one .
Don't really understand your comment as there's tons of fantastic divers watches out there!
Fun to watch, not so sure it's fun to battle all that rust. Hope your able to get the parts.
Intrepid hero I think is appropriate with this one. Kudos!
Hi. Great content here, Mike. I'm learning along with you. Anxious to see what happens next. Cheers.
Really great video, Mike. I rarely post comments but wanted to thank you for showing the whole tear down. I've built CNC machines, 3d printers, boats, campers, and a whole assortment of mechanical stuff but have always been intimidated with the tiny gear systems in watches. Well, you're showing me that it's doable. I've started in on this new hobby and can't get enough of it. Quick question; are you concerned about opening watches that have radioactive lume (radium and tritium?). I'd guess that this Zodiac based on its age has radium? Thanks again for welcoming newbies with your relaxed manner and honest approach. Also looking forward to Part 2, however it comes out.
Hello Dan, apologies for my late reply. Thanks for your comment, if you can build the things you say you can then you already have the right mindset for it. All that needs honing is fine motor skills with tweezers and screwdrivers. Good magnification makes anything small look big!
@@MyRetroWatches Hi Mike. Hey, no worries on the delay in responding. Life gets busy. Thanks for the reply. I sourced a Seiko 5 - 7009 3080 on eBay for $35 the other day, it's running, but it was purchased as a learning watch to open up and service. Seems like a good place to start.
Dan Lazer it will be. My 7025 series is very very similar (almost the same ) so you can use that as a reference
@@MyRetroWatches Awesome. Will do!
This one's going to be fun! Good luck.
really enjoyed watching this. very interesting. i've got my father's vintage sea wolf (looks to be the same model) and it is still running, barely
That's a lot of rust build-up, hope you save them wheels or replace them. That was a hard tear down a great job.
Dennis C. Thanks.yes when I realised how stuck the forth wheel was my heart sank.
Usually does not end well in those situations. When it’s someone else’s watch it’s more nerve wracking
I’m amazed the mainspring is serviceable… the zodiac 76 was isn’t… good job !!
Hi Mike I have wondered how far your great skills go. I am just about to put a new balance staff in a Jaeger Le Coultre watch... love your work. I do clocks and watches. Have been doing them for 25 years... how do you find working at the desk. A dear friend of mine has given me one..
My skills do not go that far. I can service okay and fix certain things, I am not that good with a staking set and do now own a jewelling tool. Working at my desk is fine , it is on 4" wooden blocks to rise it up.
Kool name for a watch model.
I am curieus about this one! Nice video Sir 👍
I think that Zodiac Serial Killer had similar watch. Was also featured in a David Fincher's great movie "Zodiac".
I owned a dive shop from 1971 until 1988. Sold Zodiac (and other dive watches) Zodiac was the primary line. We sold 40-50 Sea Wolfs/ year and the ladies Sea Wolf and the Super Sea Wolf. When I sold the shop I kept the last 5 watches in inventory from the Zodiac line. 2 Super Sea Wolfs and 3 Sea Wolfs. I wear a 1781 almost everyday. The others get put on a winder every so often. Still kept in their boxes. great watches. Glad you made the video!
sportclay1 wow that’s impressive. Great you have saved some of these beauties.
Would you have any idea the age of this one . My research suggests it’s one of the early ones
It's not the earliest but i think it is the second variation. The 691 was the first model starting in the early 50's. The case back is marked 699 which I believe is the second variation. Some had screw in backs and later had press in back. There is a web site called thespringbar.com I think they may have more info. The serial# is between the lugs and will help date it. I recall some old inventory in the mid 60's that was the same as this watch. I started working in the dive shop in 1961 and we carried the line then. I went into service (US Navy ) when I got out I went back to work at the shop in 1969 and bought the business in 1971. I wore a Zodiac through 2 tours in Viet Nam.
found the web site;
thespringbar.com/blogs/guides/the-zodiac-sea-wolf/#THE_EARLY_SEAWOLF_COUNT_DOWN_BEZEL
Looking forward to seeing this one done
a masterpeice of a video
Looking forward to part 2
I don't understand why you haven't bought yourself a Cannon pinion removal tool. They are not that expensive. Love your work
good point but to me they are expensive, the bergeon one is £72.00 and for that it wont even pull Seiko pinions as it has to be modified apparently ( according to Mark Lovick , think he did a video) I manage perfectly well with tweezers or a pin vice so cant see the justification for such expenditure. I am probably a bit tight.... :-)
@@MyRetroWatches I don't think you are tight, you have some expensive gear there - microscope and cleaning machine etc. I bought a Bergeon for AUS$100 and I have no problem removing Seiko cannon pinions. I have seen Mark's video and I am still not sure why he modified his. Regardless, you do great work and as with all of us, you do what you can with what you have and if it works for you, then that is fine. I am looking forward to the assembly video.
Very useful video if you have a zodiac seawolf with a loose stem. Without knowing how to remove it, the rest is worthless
You're always looking for more difficult watches, but I'm sure this is going to work as all of the previous you've fixed before.
Hi, great video. Is there a part 2?
Yonatan Bliss not yet sir. There will be once I have found the parts required and. Then do the rebuild . If you subscribe to the channel and click the bell icon you will be informed of any new content I publish so that way you won’t miss it.
Hopefully within a few weeks a new one on this will be uploaded.
Thanks for watching
I've been battling Slava's this morning, got three of them now working albeit one a touch fast but nothing the degausser won't fix, the problem is when I put the stem in, it doesn't engage deep enough to power the winder which is mightily perplexing as when the movement is out on a holder, the stem goes in perfect :S I tried a longer stem but that does the same and I suspect cruddies bunged up in its orifice or someone has snapped a stem end in there :(
Ian Watson Slava calibre number please
Very cool, something different
Very good. Thank you.
What an odyssey this will be!
Long video. I watched it from start to finish... You must be doing something right ;)
Nuno Mendes wow thanks for your time. I am glad you enjoyed it. I thought I made a few mistakes , then I am never wanting to be editing out my errors
@@MyRetroWatches That's right, you don't hide the flaws by using editing tricks. I appreciate that... honest work :)
Your group is where I found out about the Zodiac watch. Hopefully, this teaches me something :D
Used by UDT/seal teams in Vietnam 👍🏻
Another restoration. Good stuff. So far with this movement are (apart from the auto works gears) is there any evidence that it is better engineered than a Japanese Seiko unit? Cheers,Len.
Glenn Powell that’s a good question and the answer is that right now I prefer the seiko engineering . This one is possibly two decades before the Seikos that I am used to though.
@@MyRetroWatches Thank you.
I have a couple of scrap manual Swiss movements that are some what similar to this one I can send you the minute wheel if you can't find one, not sure how to tell if it's the right one though
Good work mate! Certina make a watch that looks very similar but it's only $6000. Can I ask do you own any modern watches say under 10yrs old?
Cheers buddy...
Nathan Chisholm think I own two new watches . Always prefer the vintage
Good luck with that,looks like a steep learning curve..................................
Have you identified the wheels under the barrel at 39:10 ? Could it be that this movement has a reserve complication ? (Sorry if my question is dumb, I’m a watch newbie and English is not my native language). Thx for the videos by the way :)
Julien hello. Your English is good sir.
The wheels under the barrel are part of the auto wind mechanism. The rotor spins and winds a gear that then winds the ones under the barrel to wind the mainspring.
I have got so used to Seiko I forget they have their own method which others could not copy.
@@MyRetroWatches oh OK. Thanks it's very informative :)
She's a bit rough round the edge for sure. First time seeing Zodiak movement, a bit standard for me. Such a shame bout rust, question is...can you save it's life??😂. Adrian.👍⌚
Great Video :-) @42:17 Hopefully this cleaning agent isn't anything like WD40 which contains wax! :-(
Hi; I have a quartz Zodiac ,and the other day lost the battery loading screw , how you people stop the screws( and other things) from jumping out?
mariano diaz on Battery clips you have to be careful as they are generally under load
I usually never post so for me this is unusual for me. Have you ever tried break fluid or hydraulic fluid as a releasing agent? The (Glycol) based ones are very genital on metal parts and should be on the jewels as well. A good soak should free up every thing rusted and you should be able to remove parts with no force. Just do not use (Silicon) based ones because the silicon can act as an abrasive. Some WD40 type lubricants can contain contains Stoddard Solvents which can make them caustic and can sometimes damage gold plate and it can really damage polymers and rubbers. Plus the price of break fluid is very reasonable. Just wanted to ask, p.s. keep up the great work. Thanks for the awesome vids.
This is an interesting point. I have never used such liquids but anything on rusty parts is worth a try as long as it does not discolour or strip any plating on parts. Maybe I will try this in the future. Thank you.
Wow, I just purchased the new Sea Wolf! What are the odds lol
El1988Che the ones I have seen look very much like these vintage ones
@@MyRetroWatches Yes they do! The one I purchased looks alot like the vintage one your are working on! It's the ZO9203! Cheers
Indeed an automatic watch has no catch at the end of the mainspring or you could overwind it moving your arm
That's certainly a crusty interior, hopefully you'll find the parts needed.
spidiq8 hopefully , rumour has it there are common parts in other AS movements.
Thanks for watching mate
Not going to be easy but I have faith on you
My local watch maker holding my zodiac 70-72 hostage 😅 not many watchmakers know how to repair that cannon pinion
If it comes alive it's a great story. Officially brought back from the dead.
That's much smaller than I expected from the photos.
That’s how the serial killer got his name apparently.
I sure admire you for wearing those unpleaseant fingercots when dissasembling
My best friend has a zodiac seachron that was left to him by his father, the only watchmaker near us wouldn't work on it. Is there any way to get an email to contact you? He has been looking for somebody who can fix the chronograph complication
Sorry I no longer take on work.
@@MyRetroWatches well thank for the response sir, best wishes! I enjoy the content!
@@macemig601you should check LA watch works they do work on vintage watches
my guess is high pressure water ingress
quite possibly. I guess we will never know for sure but if it was used for its intended purpose of diving then this is quite possible. Thanks for watching.
I have a Zodiac watch. What is the procedure to extract the crown?
In your video you skip this step.
I'll thanks if you could help me.
Thanks in advance
I fixed the problem. Thx
Sorry it seems I was not quick enough in my reply. at least you have fixed it
Hi That looks like a lot of radium in that dial and hands, so with radiums half life of 1600 years , radiating alpha wawes, i would be careful not to get some airborne particles, finding its way to my lungs, and remove the radium from the dial and hands, submerged in water, then rinse in isopropanyl, thats what i would be concerned of.
Btw as im informed, radium is only present in watches dating before the year 1963 especially in army watches and instruments, correct me if im wrong.
I appreciate your concerns, I have removed the lume from the hands as it was falling off. I did it in a zip bag as I was also concerned of radium. However I am really unsure if this is radium, although it looks like it the way it looked close up and how it came off the hands looked just like normal lume. I am unsure of the age but I think this one is 60s.
I have had try to guess the country who it was manufactured (no google) I shameful loose isn't russian (or soviet) Yes, I know that isn't a Vostok but the general esthetic composition
You're so fricken wingey! PB Blaster, a cold chisel, and a hand sledge - Alright, I'm not a savage, a dead blow hammer. Sometimes you can just put the movement in the palm of your hand, and just kind of slam it on a granite or stone surface to, "release", its components. Do I have to think of everything?! I could have had that watch apart in 15 seconds. You're welcome.
Thats so helpful. Thanks.....
@@MyRetroWatches Just trying to look out for the channel! ;)
You’ve got yer work cut out MB!
Yikes. Well off the beaten path for a Seiko lover.
Please reset your camera, your fingers are nice to see but would be better to see the action 😀
House In France renovation sorry ! I need to setup my B roll camera
In
This is the Zodiac speaking
haha, the question is what is it saying....
:)
Javi C :)