Introducing: Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 'Pan Am' World Time

You know me – I like a good GMT watch, I’ve been fan-boying all over the new Zodiac releases when they hit, and I was rather enjoyed the Timex Pan Am collab (which we’re currently giving away). So, with this new Zodiac Super Sea Wolf ‘Pan Am’ World Time, it should be an easy one to like, right?

Somehow, for some reason, the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf ‘Pan Am’ World Time just doesn’t do it for me. Without the Pan Am branding on it, and as a Zodiac GMT on it’s own – particularly in this color combination – it works, though I tend towards hour bezels instead of cities. And given that Zodiac and Pan Am hail from similar eras, it would seem the mixing of the two should be great.

For me, though, it’s just not meshing. And it’s not like the logos are overbearing – you’ve got the blue one at 6 o’clock, and then a larger one ghosted into the dial. The handset and indices are era-correct as well. So why doesn’t it sit well with me?

I think it’s two-fold. For one, yes, GMT watches are inherently tied to air travel. With Zodiac’s roots as a dive watch company, partnering up with an airline just feels weird (even though Pan Am is just a brand these days, and not actually flying anywhere). Second is the fact that it’s exclusive to the Hodinkee shop. Here again, we’re used to limited availability on new releases, and I’ve got nothing personally against Hodinkee. As a product decision – pair up with a popular brand and sell on a site that gets a lot of eyes – it makes sense. As someone who’s been enjoying the direction Zodiac has gone over the last year, this one just doesn’t sit right for me.

Who knows, that could just be me (feel free to let us know in the comments). If you do pick one up, you’ve got a Soprod C125 keeping you moving, and the robust construction keeping things tight and dry. Along with that, you get an additional textile strap, and a Pan Am hank. For all the extra goodies – and the partnership – the price is the same as the non-Pan Am GMTs: $1,795. Check it out over at hodinkee.com