Since our founding more than a century ago, we
have dedicated ourselves to the precision and
craftsmanship associated with Swiss timekeeping
— with a rebellious spirit. We have consistently
pushed the limits of design innovation, evolving our
style and driving our timepieces to become more
technical and dynamic.
Our pursuit to create quality, precision Swiss
watches made to be worn and lived in has been the
fuel for some of our most beloved collections. As
we create the next generation of tool, dive and
dress watches, our engineers and artisans are
already hard at work challenging boundaries and
breaking rules.
History
1882 - Present
1882
Ariste Calame sets up a workshop to produce specialized watches. The son of a watchmaker, Calame was obsessed with the thought of creating the most precise watch of all time. The result of his careful work became the first Zodiac — a pocket watch with a unique character. Thus began the foundation for a whole series of technical wonders in the world of Swiss watches. Because of its high quality and technical innovations, Calame's dynasty managed to become one of the fastest-growing companies in Switzerland.
1908
Ariste Calame patents the name Zodiac as a brand. Zodiac manufactures its own calibers and movements that are used in the production of pocket watches.
1924
Zodiac launches its first extra flat pocket watch with a Zodiac calibre 1617 movement.
1930
Zodiac patents a unique shock-proofing system that utilizes a z-shaped spring clip over the balance. Zodiac launches one of the first Swiss automatic watches.
1937
Zodiac creates a new innovation: a 10.5 Ligne, 8-day wristwatch movement.
1949
At the Basel Fair, Zodiac launches the Autographic: a self-winding watch with a power reserve gauge measuring hours of power. This was one of the only two watches at the time to have a power reserve collection.
1953
The Zodiac Sea Wolf arrives — one of the first serious diver watches manufactured for the masses.
1950s
Zodiac launches the Super Sea Wolf, an evolution of its predecessor. With a patented crown/stem system and improved caseback design, the water pressure rating increases to 750m.
1960
Aerospace, a Sea Wolf with an added 24-hour GMT hand, launches.
1962
Zodiac introduces the Aerospace Jet, which features true 24-hour hands that only traverse the dial once in 24 hours.
1968
We launch Dynotron, the first Swiss electronic watch.
1969
The Astrographic, our most celebrated design, takes off. This unique model features floating minute and hour hands and a small red moon that orbits the dial while counting the seconds.
1970
Zodiac launches the Olympos, which features the same floating hands as the Astrographic, but in a more classic execution.
1977
We introduce the world's first LCD watch to obtain an official chronometer certificate.
1978
We continue to innovate, launching the world's slimmest quartz watch.
2015
Another evolution of our famed Sea Wolf, the Super Sea Wolf 68 extreme, launches. The new iteration has a sleeker design, while still maintaining the original characteristics that defined this iconic piece of our history.
2016
Zodiac launches the Sea Dragon Chrono Automatic and the Super Sea Wolf 68, Bronze Edition.
2017
A new era in movements begins with the switch from STP 1-11 to STP 3-13.
Not one, but TWO new watches launch: Jetomatic and Super Sea Wolf 53 Skin in titanium.
2018
Another big year: We introduce the Olympos, Grandrally and Grandville.
Super Sea Wolf 53 Skin gets an update with a new case and dial design.
History
1882 - Present
1930
Zodiac patents a unique shock-proofing system that utilizes a z-shaped spring clip over the balance. Zodiac launches one of the first Swiss automatic watches.
1937
Zodiac creates a new innovation: a 10.5 Ligne, 8-day wristwatch movement.
1949
At the Basel Fair, Zodiac launches the Autographic: a self-winding watch with a power reserve gauge measuring hours of power. This was one of the only two watches at the time to have a power reserve collection.
1953
The Zodiac Sea Wolf arrives — one of the first serious diver watches manufactured for the masses.
1950s
Zodiac launches the Super Sea Wolf, an evolution of its predecessor. With a patented crown/stem system and improved caseback design, the water pressure rating increases to 750m.
1969
The Astrographic, our most celebrated design, takes off. This unique model features floating minute and hour hands and a small red moon that orbits the dial while counting the seconds.
1970
Zodiac launches the Olympos, which features the same floating hands as the Astrographic, but in a more classic execution.
2017
A new era in movements begins with the switch from STP 1-11 to STP 3-13.
Not one, but TWO new watches launch: Jetomatic and Super Sea Wolf 53 Skin in titanium.
2018
Another big year: We introduce the Olympos, Grandrally and Grandville.
Super Sea Wolf 53 Skin gets an update with a new case and dial design.
A Legacy
Of Quality
With a rich heritage to draw from, Zodiac is singularly
focused on designing watches based on our most beloved
vintage models and staying true to the original creation.
Each watch design maintains the same sense of scale to
keep the finished product as historically accurate as
possible, then we add contemporary updates and improved
functionality. If you held an original and a current model
side-by-side, you should be able to see, and feel, the
extension from one to the other.
Signature Zodiac
Elements
01
Use of color, scale and
design reflect our brand's
heritage.
02
In-house Swiss-made STP
mechanical movements for
accuracy and reliability.
03
Logo screw-down crowns,
buckles and casebacks add
an iconic touch
04
The highest quality hand-
burnished Italian leather,
alligator and caoutchouc
rubber straps.
05
SuperLuminova hands
and indexes for
unparalleled visibility.
06
Average of 20 ATM water
resistance for reliability in
the toughest of conditions.
A Legacy Of
Precision
Our Watch Movements
STP 1-11
In production since 2008, this 28800vph in-house movement is the entry-level STP movement. It has a 44-hour power reserve and has been used on all Zodiac models from Astrographic to Super Sea Wolf, including COSC-certified editions.
STP 3-13
Our in-house STP 3-1 movement is not only COSC-certifiable, but also features a swan neck regulation system, making it easy to adjust. The watches are decorated with perlage on the base plates and bridges and have a44-hour power reserve. The movement, produced by the highly-automated Swiss STP Watch Movement Manufacture, is on par with Selita and ETA movements.
Quartz
This ISA Swiss 2-eye Chrono has a sub counter for the 30 minutes chron hand and another for the small second. The large second has a 4hz sweep to mimic the way a second hand moves on an automatic watch (which moves by small increments four times per second).
A Ronda 1015 three-hand slim movement with 8 Jewels features a rapid date advance with a quickset reverse setting feature.
Biel-Bienne is the heart of Swiss and international watchmaking. Its bilingual status (hence the German and French name recognition) and industrial economy invites a multicultural, laid back experience—which is just fine by us. Home to several watch brand headquarters, Biel-Bienne isn't without its breathtaking beauty, both natural and manmade. The juxtaposition of Lake Biel and design wonders, like the Hagneck Dam, is the perfect backdrop to inspire innovative design and the perfect home for Zodiac.
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