On the Ven diagram of knife fanatics and watch collectors, Zodiac and GiantMouse sit in rarified territory. Each manufacturers construct glorious, revered merchandise at an accessible value. And each run slightly below the radar. They don’t have the title recognition of Omega or Benchmade, however they construct merchandise that may go toe-to-toe with the better-known manufacturers.
The newest collaboration could change that, if just a bit.
Right now, Zodiac and GiantMouse announce a pair of dive instruments that may intrigue software aficionados and severe divers alike.
Meet the GiantMouse X Zodiac Tremendous Sea Wolf Professional Diver, a COSC-certified dive watch with 300 meters of water resistance that pairs with an Italian-made GiantMouse dive knife that meets the wants of divers whereas sustaining the attractive match and end that elevates it past a easy software.
The watch-and-knife mixture can be out there on February 27.
GiantMouse X Zodiac Tremendous Sea Wolf Professional Diver First Look
The Tremendous Sea Wolf is a legendary dive watch. Whereas the model has gone by way of ups and downs, the Tremendous Sea Wolf dates again to the Fifties, placing its preliminary growth inside a number of years of the long-lasting Rolex Submariner. (The precise date of manufacturing is a bit contentious, with Zodiac citing manufacturing in 1953, whereas others argue it was later, round 1957. Regardless, it was one of many earliest true dive watches and has an extended historical past.)
Quick ahead to right now, and the Tremendous Sea Wolf is a good-looking, practical software watch at a way more accessible value than many opponents.
The GiantMouse collaboration places a singular twist on this iconic software watch. The model despatched over a demo, and from the second I set eyes on it, I used to be impressed.
The GiantMouse X Zodiac Tremendous Sea Wolf is attractive. Priced at $2,295 together with the GiantMouse dive knife (extra on this later), this Tremendous Sea Wolf ticks numerous bins dive watch lovers will get pleasure from.
It has a black face with brightly luminous hour indicators. The minute and hour fingers shine with a gold-tinted metallic end that catches mild for each legibility and bling. A unidirectional rotating bezel affords timekeeping for divers, though it solely has minutes famous on the 30 place.
Whereas practical for diving, the dearth of numerals, each on the face and the bezel, is a nod towards the truth that the watch is extra oriented towards on a regular basis use. Most divers right now use computer systems, not watches, to trace dives. So whereas this watch does perform for dive timekeeping, it’s much less prone to spend time deep beneath the ocean and extra logical as an on a regular basis piece.
The colour combos are subtly hanging. Orange indicators pop off a muted blue background. A gold metallic ring shines across the outer fringe of the bezel, offsetting a brushed chrome steel case with a closed caseback.
A black silicone band attaches all this timekeeping magnificence to your wrist. Whereas the band is good, I did discover slightly stress on the underside of my wrist when carrying the look ahead to a number of hours. Additionally to think about, the band suits my 6.75″ wrist nicely and has plenty of room for bigger wrists. However including a wetsuit could push it to its limits for these with bigger wrists.
Timekeeping
The watch stored nice time throughout my 1-week take a look at interval, no shock given its COSC certification.
The watch has its mum or dad firm, Fossil’s STP 1-21 motion, which has a blended fame. It retains nice time. In my expertise with Zodiac watches, they’ve been very dependable. However critics fear about long-term sturdiness and elements availability. In my expertise, they’ve been nice, and I’ve by no means had a difficulty over the previous 2 years testing a few Zodiacs.
The screw-down crown takes slightly drive to start unscrewing, however has a clean motion. Adjusting time is nice.
The GiantMouse X Zodiac Tremendous Sea Wolf may be very legible due to the excessive distinction between the black dial and off-white indicators.
The indications, all three fingers, and the 12 o’clock place on the bezel all have shiny lume that lasts a number of hours. I used to be in a position to learn it at 3 a.m. after turning off the lights at 9 p.m.
GiantMouse Dive Knife
I’ve devoted numerous house to the watch, however the GiantMouse Dive Knife can be a beautiful software, and one which divers are more likely to make use of underwater. This software is made for enterprise.
The Dive Knife has a 3.8″ N360 metal blade with a blunt tip for security. In true dive knife trend, it has a closely serrated blade on one facet, with a sharpened hook for chopping line and cloth. In entrance of the serrated instruments is a uninteresting edge, which makes it safer for chopping close to a diver who could also be tangled in traces underwater. The alternative facet has a sharpened, wonderful edge.
Every part concerning the dive knife screams perform. Whereas definitely a lovely knife, I’d not hesitate for a second to take it diving. The tip is supposed for prying, and the chopping surfaces are purpose-built for divers’ wants. It comes with a really rugged, refined sheath and leg strap to put on over a dive swimsuit or a BCD.
Sadly, there isn’t a lot diving in Colorado in winter, so I haven’t used it underwater. However an preliminary dealing with and inspection offers me a constructive impression.
Zodiac Model Questions
I’d be remiss to not point out unanswered questions concerning the Zodiac model on the time of publication. Not too long ago, Fossil Group, the mum or dad firm of Zodiac, has gone by way of restructuring. Through the course of, a lot of its watches have been discounted closely. Some have even proven up at low cost retailers like Ross. So customers ought to be conscious.
That mentioned, the watches are as good as they’ve ever been.
I reached out to a Fossil consultant to be taught extra. They promised to offer a brand new roadmap for the model quickly, however I haven’t acquired it but. GearJunkie will cowl the information as we be taught extra, and I’ll hyperlink to the story right here when it goes stay.
Big Mouse X Zodiac Collaboration: Who Ought to Purchase?
At $2,295, the knife-and-watch mixture is a luxurious however accessible assortment. For that value, you get an especially succesful pair of EDC/dive instruments with wonderful match and end and glorious components.
This can be a restricted version assortment; simply 300 items can be found. So it hits a collectors market squarely. That mentioned, these are instruments meant for use.
Followers of GiantMouse, watch fanatics with a penchant for historic dive watches, and people who wish to put on slightly of that salt life on their every day watch ought to check out this distinctive bundle that’s unlikely to come back alongside once more any time quickly.
