ZO2501 
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ZO2501
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Posted By: Ricky Lee McBroom
Date:
Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 1:05 a.m.
I made an "Incoming Watch" post shortly after I set the hook on this one, as some of y'all may recall. It shipped from Italy, so I had a bit of a wait. Executive Summary: it was well worth the wait!
I went to the Zodiac site 'cause I was curious about the MSRP of the Desert Hawk. Curiously enough, I could not find my exact model listed there.
Mine's a ZO2501, but the only difference appears to be strap vs. bracelet. Perhaps the 2501 is for the Italian market only..? How 'bout it? Has anyone seen the ZO2501 at a Zodiac AD in the U.S.?
At 42mm in diameter, 51mm across the lugs, 13mm thick measuring to the top of the domed crystal, and using a 20mm strap, it's probably the perfect size for maximum mass-market appeal. Though personally I wouldn't have been disappointed if it were downsized just a wee bit, say 40mm. The signed crown is a substantial 7.5mm diameter and 3.5mm wide. And 'tis very nicely signed indeed, with the Zodiac trademark rendered in relief and covered with a clear resin inlay:
What a great touch! The domed crystal is also evident in this shot, and it makes the watch a bear to photograph! Try as I might, I couldn't get a reflection-free shot.. so I confess that I photoshopped that first photo a bit.
The screwdown case back features a stylized hawk with talons extended, also rendered in relief, and it is very crisply executed:
I do so enjoy a pretty backside.. The strap was a very pleasant surprise. It's black with white stitching, 5mm thick and padded the full length, and embossed on the back side with "Genuine leather", "Zodiac", and the Zodiac logo. Not only is the quality a cut (Nay! TWO cuts!) above the average OEM strap, it is.. and this was the real surprise!.. actually long enough to fit my 8-1/8" wrist! Yippee!
Mind you, there's no room to spare, as it fits me on the first hole. But it does fit, and nearly a perfect fit at that. I say nearly for, while the leather itself seems quite supple, the thicker-than-usual padding makes it a somewhat stiffer strap than I consider optimum. That's a nit, though, as it's reasonably comfortable as-is, and when it breaks in I expect that it will be perfect. A pleasant side effect is that it makes that subtle yet distinct 'creaking leather' sound when you move your wrist.
While I generally prefer a deployant and, indeed, had one in the spare parts box that would have fit, the signed buckle is so nice that I can't bear to swap it out:
I didn't even reverse the strap as I'm wont to do (I like my straps rigged 'backwards', with the buckle at 6), since that would put the
This combo strikes me as so spot-on, in fact, that I'm not likely to change a single thing.. and that's rare for me! But then it might look nice given the Fine-Point Red Sharpie Treatment... Hmmmmmm.
I confess that I was still a bit concerned about the alternating small/large hour markers. I'd obviously reached a point where they struck me as 'kinda cool' (thanks for coining that one, Paul D.!
Well, I'm pleased to report that it's not a problem! I'm not what you'd call overly enthusiastic about the concept (I wouldn't want all my watches to incorporate this feature, IOW.
All in all a most impressive offering from
segment today!
-Ricky
Messages In This Thread
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 1:05 a.m.
- Great review
(views: 2)
Adam in NYC -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 2:13 p.m.- Excellent
FloridaSam -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 1:11 p.m.- Very nice! You bet we will archive this
TMK -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 5:16 a.m.Thanks for the review!
Tom P -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 3:50 a.m.- I've got the same watch on the bracelet and I agree. It's very impressive.
FreddyRick -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 3:38 a.m.
Ed Brandwein -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 1:57 a.m.- Awesome Ricky. Great post.
Kelly M. Rayburn -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 1:56 a.m.- Great
Mike D -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 1:46 a.m.
Zeb -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 1:40 a.m.
I wish more manufacturers would put beautiful engraved backs like this on their mechanical watches, especially when they have an ordinary, non-decorated movement in them. I'd rather have a unique and cool case back than be able to see yet another 2824-2.
Zeb! Agree 100%.. >> (views: 9)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 1:51 a.m.
..that when you've seen one 2824-2 you've seen 'em all.
But a well-executed and distinctive case back will light up your day for many days to come.
-Ricky- Hey Ricky... You know, Seiko kind of has "Saphire/Mineral" mo (views: 20)
Jeffc -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 1:23 a.m.
Saphlex, is a name they use for their watches which i THINK have a mineral crystal with a "saphire" coating.
Obviously its not saphire... but its kind of a hybrid ...
I THINK.. anyone got an idea?Saphlex? I thought
's trademark was 'Hardlex'..
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 11:07 p.m.
But 'tis a good point!
My Inner Engineer says that a sapphire coating on a mineral glass crystal should be within the realm of possibility. But who knows? Coating tech is not my specialty...
Can anyone shed more light on this? -RickyAt the risk of sounding vain.. >> (views: 37)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 1:14 a.m.
..might I suggest that we archive this one?
This watch really is an astounding value. IMHO a potentialTop 20 Watch! Just wanna turn me fellow WIS onto a great watch!!
But, yes, it is the best I know how to write a
-Ricky
- Just type ARCHIVE so they find it easier Ricky.
Chris L -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 2:00 a.m.
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