Time-Tested Tradition: The Fascinating History of Zodiac Watches

Zodiac watches have a rich history dating back to 1882. The company was founded by Ariste Calame in Le Locle, Switzerland, and started by producing pocket watches. In the early 1900s, Zodiac transitioned to producing wristwatches and quickly established itself as a leader in the industry. The company's watches were known for their precision and reliability, and were used by the military during World War I and World War II. In the 1950s, Zodiac introduced its first line of automatic watches, which were powered by the movement of the wearer's wrist. This was a significant innovation at the time, as it eliminated the need to manually wind the watch.

In the 1960s, Zodiac became known for its sporty and stylish watches, particularly the "Seawolf" line of diving watches. These watches featured a water-resistant case and a rotating bezel, which allowed divers to track their remaining air supply. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Zodiac continued to innovate and introduce new lines of watches, including the "Astrographic" and the "Super Sea Wolf" which are highly sought after by collectors today. In recent years, Zodiac has been re-launched by Fossil Group and the watches are now available in a wide range of styles and price points, from classic dress watches to modern, sporty designs. The company changed their "in-house" automatic movement in 2008.