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New Acquistion: Nobel Sea Wolf diver, c. 1960s

Dr.Sascha
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Just picked this up, and don't know much about the brand, but quite happy with it. Some nice features include:
1.) Chunky 37.5mm case w/o crown
2.) Elegant triangular lumes at 12, 6,9, reminiscent of the Eterna Kontiki 1st execution
3.) Nicely chamfered lugs
4.) Red date wheel (I think the original crystal had a cyclops date window)
5.) Wide bezel with the retro "digital" numerals.
and, of course, that glossy black dial and classic, chunky, diver-style batons.

A nice surprise is that when I opened up, I found it was recently serviced (summer 2022). No surprise that the ETA 2472 movement is very clean and keeping excellent time.

If anyone else has encountered this maker or model before, I'd be interested to hear more about it.

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Tony C.
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On what basis are you calling this a "Sea Wolf"? Surely if it were a model line, there would be a reference on the dial and/or case, no?
 
JwRosenthal
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Haven’t encountered this brand but the sum of the parts puts it on the higher end of the mass skin divers of the period. Very attractive watch.
 
Dr.Sascha
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Tony C. Tony C.
On what basis are you calling this a "Sea Wolf"? Surely if it were a model line, there would be a reference on the dial and/or case, no?

That's a good question. It's what the seller designated it, but it might just have been due to its resemblance to the Zodiac models from the same period (i.e. the triangular lumes). The case bears some resemblance, but it's much larger (the SW is 34mm) and has a painted rather than brushed bezel. Sellers sometimes get a bit creative with their designations, which is why I'm seeking more information on it for confirmation. I've found 1 or 2 reference dials, but no further details. Given the size difference, perhaps I should call it a "Sea Lion" instead <shrug>. I'm going to chase this up . . .
 
Dan S
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Nice SS skin diver with an ETA movement. Not a Sea Wolf.
 
Walrus
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I think sea wolf is acceptable I have a hairy the cat memorial watch and a sooper dooper the cat memorial watch. Several “wife got mad at this one” watches as well.
 
Dr.Sascha
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Walrus Walrus
I think sea wolf is acceptable I have a hairy the cat memorial watch and a sooper dooper the cat memorial watch. Several “wife got mad at this one” watches as well.

Heh, I also have a "wtf was I thinking?" chrono and a "who's a big boy?" (the last one is actually a Wakmann "Big Boy," though). In all seriousness, though, it's good to get this as precise as possible, especially with lesser (or unknown) brands. Names tend to stick, once introduced, and though it's a pleasure to help add a new designation to the sum of general watch-knowledge in our community, I think it should only be done when it accurately reflects the history of the piece. Just my £.02 on the issue!
 
JwRosenthal
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Dr.Sascha Dr.Sascha
Heh, I also have a "wtf was I thinking?" chrono and a "who's a big boy?" (the last one is actually a Wakmann "Big Boy," though). In all seriousness, though, it's good to get this as precise as possible, especially with lesser (or unknown) brands. Names tend to stick, once introduced, and though it's a pleasure to help add a new designation to the sum of general watch-knowledge in our community, I think it should only be done when it accurately reflects the history of the piece. Just my £.02 on the issue!
I agree about not assigning a name without knowing as they do tend to stick as people research on the web and grab whatever info they can (well I saw it on Omegaforums and they are all experts).
For years I referred to the Helbros skin divers as just “Helbros Skin diver” until
I happened upon an advertisement for them that actually referred to them as “Surf Master” and the accompanying ladies watch as the “Sea Nymph”. Now we know.
 
Dr.Sascha
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
I agree about not assigning a name without knowing as they do tend to stick as people research on the web and grab whatever info they can (well I saw it on Omegaforums and they are all experts).
For years I referred to the Helbros skin divers as just “Helbros Skin diver” until
I happened upon an advertisement for them that actually referred to them as “Surf Master” and the accompanying ladies watch as the “Sea Nymph”. Now we know.

I had a similar experience with a Le Jour Triton and a Desotos Heidelberg. It's a real pleasure to research the fine details, assemble the findings, and add to the collective lore, a kind of horoarcheaology.
 
rcs914
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Haven’t encountered this brand but the sum of the parts puts it on the higher end of the mass skin divers of the period. Very attractive watch.

Agree - the red date wheel may have thrown me off if I was just looking at thumbnails, since it seems like those were typically in the very inexpensive and cheaply made skin divers. Looking at this one close up, it is definitely not in that category, even though it superfically looks like one of the Sheffield or Lucerne "divers".
 
JwRosenthal
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rcs914 rcs914
Agree - the red date wheel may have thrown me off if I was just looking at thumbnails, since it seems like those were typically in the very inexpensive and cheaply made skin divers. Looking at this one close up, it is definitely not in that category, even though it superfically looks like one of the Sheffield or Lucerne "divers".
Most likely a roulette date wheel. I have a couple eta based divers with them, and a Wyler 660’(which is also eta based I believe) that’s deep red (looks black in the shade) with white numeral date wheel- that one is slick.
 
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