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 Zodiac ZO2300 By: Zodiac Average Rating: 5.0 Total Reviews: 1 More Information FIVE STAR QUALITY 300METER DIVE WATCH  On: 2008-04-24This is one heavy duty watch, and by heavy I mean this thing really has some weight to it. If you prefer a light watch, this one probably isnt for you. This high-quality Zodiac lets you know its there. I was looking for a quality diveable watch with a good depth rating, and this really one takes the cake at 300meters/1000feet. Truly impressive. The smoothest screw-in crown Ive used, with big smooth threads that offer no grind or resistance. The crown features the raised Zodiac cross with a clear laquer coating, and is also substantially sized with large teeth making turning it a cinch. The crown is protected by shoulders that taper off gracefully into the case side. The 180 click toothed bezel is wide (across) and one way ratcheting with a lume dot in the triangle marker at 12. The bezel is short though, making it a bit difficult to grip and turn easily, and this is my only low point on the watch, however many bezels will turn easier with time/use. I cant imagine this bezel ever being turned inadverdently though, which is ideal when diving. I love the dial layout. It features vertical day and date wheels, white in color, displayed at the six oclock position. The dial color is matte black, with rectangular hour markers that are luminescent and trimmed in chromed steel. The minutes ring is white from 12 to 3 and black thereafter. The hour hand is lumed mercedes style, the long minute hand is unique in shape, and the long second hand features a lume dot and white tip. The highly polished Zodiac cross logo is at the 12 oclock and in this form to me it evokes a dive helmet. Under that is the Zodiac name and 1882, the founding year of the company. The bracelet is tapered, oyster style and is very high quality S.S. Lug width is 24mm. Attachment is by way of heavy spring bars, not screwed in. All links including end links are completely solid and brushed finish, the heavy S.S. band uses a flip-lock clasp with divers wet suit extention. The fold under portion of the clasp is thick S.S., not a thin stamped tin-like piece seen on most mid-priced dive watches. The flip lock has the raised Zodiac name in a sand blasted texture section. The case back features the engraved dancing wolf in a wave pattern, and the usual watch information. I love the wolf engraving. The crystal is domed synthetic sapphire and highly scratch resistant. Overall, I love this watch, sure its quartz, but its a high quality swiss quartz movement and the 300meter rating, unique dial/hands, top quality bracelet and Zodiac heritage make it a no-brainer for someone looking for a unique diver with a ton of wrist presence. I own about 25 watches, none extremely expensive, but this one is definately my new fave, highly recommended. Equally impressive underwater or topside in the office. This watch, like many high quality divers watches (ie, Rolex sub) offers tremendous versatility...making it perfectly suited to jeans and a t-shirt, khakis and a polo, or under (sometimes not for us watch nuts) the cuff of a dress shirt worn with suit. To end a lengthy review, I highly recommend the Swiss made dive-capable Zodiac V-Wolf. |