Zodiac ZMX 03 chronograph watch: what’s the point exactly?

The former Swiss watchmaking brand Zodiac, which is currently owned by the American-based Fossil, has revealed another timepiece of dubious concept.

Looking like a strange product of interbreeding between a diver’s and a driver’s watch, the new Zodiac ZMX-03 one eye chronograph features a sapphire anti-reflective crystal, a logo engraved case back and a Swiss Ronda STARTECH quartz movement with big date.

Although the huge case that awkwardly combines stainless steel and rubber measures impressive 50 millimeters in diameter, there is still not enough air on the black dial.

The huge hands together with a huge bezel flange and a pair of Arabic numerals of gargantuan proportions made the dial look like a needle’s eye, not a porthole that it actually is

Its main problem, though, is that you can’t really tell its purpose.

As you can see, the American-born timekeeper with the sacred “Swiss Made” lettering at the bottom of its dial has all the DNA parts of a diving watch: it sports a thick black rubber strap, as well as rubberized crowns and push-pieces, and its larger than life hour and minute hands are easily read however bad the lighting conditions are.

On the other hand, the “diver” is rated for only 110 meters and it lacks the usual diving bezel, which is in this case (for a reason that lies beyond my understanding) is equipped with a tachymeter scale that, let us be honest here, simply looks ridiculous when combined with other elements of design.

The same goes with the chronograph sub-dial that looks like the third nipple on a male’s breast: it doesn’t serve any useful function and looks awkward, too.

The verdict?

Well, it is not a diver’s watch and, with such a simple chronograph and too awkward design, it is not an driver’s watch either.

And it doesn’t look rugged enough to wear it in a gym, considering its hefty price of $695.

So, what was the point of this strange watch?

Photos: Zodiac

Zodiac ZMX 03 watch specification :

Price range: $695
Movement: Ronda STARTECH quartz caliber
Complications: Big date, chronograph
Power reserve: N/A
Case material: Stainless steel and rubber
Case diameter: 50mm
Case height: N/A
Dial: Black
Water resistance: 110m
Strap: Black caoutchouc rubber
Crystal: Sapphire crystal