Ever since the Zodiac Aerospace GMT was re-issued at Baselworld in 2019, the collecting community has been patiently awaiting the return of its original historic color schemes, particularly the combination of the classic red and blue bi-color bezel contrasting either a black or a silver dial. For our Tenth Topper Edition collaboration, we feel quite privileged to have been given the chance to re-launch one of these important historical editions as the Sea Wolf GMT 'Crystal' – a highly accurate and loving tribute to the height of the jet age, but naturally with a few irresistible Topper flourishes, of course.

Aesthetically speaking, the new Sea Wolf GMT watches are already a very faithful reproduction of the source material, but vintage Zodiac collectors know that the modern Sea Wolf GMT deviates a bit from the naming convention of the original, which of course bore the name "Aerospace GMT" in cursive script across the dial. While we did want to make sure that our new watches adhered to Zodiac's modern naming conventions, we did very much want to tip our hats to the dial layout of the original, and thus rendered the “Sea Wolf GMT” script at 12 o’clock, with just “Automatic” at 6 o’clock – another period-correct nod to the formal dial layout of the original.

Zodiac collector and friend @wristshotnomatterwhat from Instagram was kind enough supply a wrist shot of an original Aerospace GMT where you can better see our dedication to preserving the clean dial presentation and cheerful contrast between the silver sunburst dial and the bi-color bezel. And though the case has been modestly upsized to a more modern 40mm footprint, as you can see from the image above, Zodiac has otherwise impressively preserved the svelte dimensions and on-wrist feel of the original Aerospace.

Functionally speaking, this Topper Edition (along with other recent Super Sea Wolf GMTs released by Zodiac) is powered by a Soprod C125 automatic movement, whose design and “desk GMT” functionality mirrors that of ETA’s long-running 2893-2 modular GMT caliber, which when used in conjunction with the quick-adjustment of the bi-directional rotating 24hr bezel makes time adjustments and readings in other zones a breeze.

Of course it wouldn't be a Topper Edition without own own distinct twist. But we needed something a little more subtle this time, so as to preserve the original look and feel of the historic silver-dialed Aerospace GMT while leaving a unique fingerprint. To do this, we opted for a Topper first: a bi-color "roulette" style date wheel, with alternating red and blue numerals that match the color story of the bezel itself. For sure, this detail wasn't part of the design brief of the original Aerospace, but we feel it still faithfully fits the canon of many other sports watches of the sixties and seventies.

Limited to 182 pieces, the Zodiac Sea Wolf GMT “Crystal” (ref. ZO9408) can be purchased exclusively at Topper Jewelers for $1,795. You can learn more and order yours while supply lasts right here.