1960s Zodiac Hermetic Automatic - Grey Dial - Custom Oxblood Shinki Hikaku Leather Strap

The Artifact
Zodiac is a brand best known for the Sea Wolf—the tool watch that conquered the ocean. But the Zodiac Hermetic was their answer to the boardroom (and the cocktail lounge). The term "Hermetic" was mid-century code for "sealed," marketing the watch’s water-resistant engineering in an era when humidity was the enemy of accuracy.

This particular example features a stunning sunburst grey dial with sharp, applied gold baton indices. It captures the essence of Mad Men era design: clean, legible, and effortlessly sophisticated. But what truly sets this artifact apart is what we’ve added to it.

The Leather: Shinki Hikaku A watch is only as good as what secures it to your wrist. We have paired this vintage head with a custom-made Uncommon Artifact strap, hand-crafted from Oxblood Shinki Hikaku leather.

The Tannery: Shinki Hikaku (based in Himeji, Japan) is arguably the finest tanner of equine leather in the world. They are the "cordovan masters."

The Material: This leather is famous for its glass-like finish, incredible density, and deep, rich color that will not crease or crack like standard leather. It will simply mold to your wrist and develop a patina that rivals the watch itself.

The Stitch: Finished with a contrasting rose-pink thread that picks up the warmth of the gold case.

The Machine
Inside beats a Swiss-made Zodiac Automatic movement. It features a date complication at 3 o'clock and the "Zodiac Hermetic" branding that signified a step up in durability from standard dress watches of the time. The sweep of the seconds hand is smooth, powered by the motion of your wrist.

The Condition Grade: Running condition / Honest Vintage

Case: Gold-plated case shows honest wear and softening of the edges, consistent with 60 years of life.

Crystal: The acrylic crystal has scratches and crazing. We have chosen to leave this original to maintain the vintage character, but it could be polished by the new owner if desired.

Dial: The grey dial is clean with a warm vintage charm.

The Spec

Maker: Zodiac

Model: Hermetic Automatic

Era: 1960s

Case Material: Gold Plated

Movement: Automatic (Swiss)

Strap: Custom Oxblood Shinki Hikaku Leather (Handmade by Uncommon Artifact)

Width: ~34mm (Classic vintage dress size)

Why It Belongs Here
This listing represents exactly what Uncommon Artifact is about: taking a "sleeper" vintage watch and elevating it through expert curation. The Zodiac Hermetic is a great watch on its own; on a Shinki Hikaku strap, it becomes a one-of-a-kind statement piece.