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“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
Zodiac introduced the Sea Wolf dive watch in 1953. Over time, it became known as a more affordable sports dive watch alternative to the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, Rolex Submariner and Omega Seamaster 300.
Also – what’s the origin of the cross hair symbol? Is that something that has always been aligned with the word "zodiac" in the astrological community? Or did Zodiac brand watches create that cross hair symbol themselves as their watch logo?
Below – 1962 advertisement of the Zodiac Sea Wolf diver’s watch from Playboy magazine.
Here’s a late 1960s Zodiac Sea Wolf that is described as a "military" version with hacking seconds. Note how the cross hair symbol is not only printed on the dial – but also on the crown and the bracelet buckle. It’s interesting if this model had a military connection as it is known that Zodiac liked to wear Wingwalker navy boots. Perhaps Zodiac liked to frequent military surplus type stores.
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
Z was former navy and could not quite come up with he cash for a rolex submariner…or may be he just thought ir was cute and it fit his persona so he bought it..zodiac made life rafts at least since the 40”s to my knowledge..if and i strees IF was military and in the navy chances ae goodhe would have run across zodiac rubber life rafts..all my take of course
RE: 1969 model Zodiac wrist watch "Astrographic."
The Zodiac killer seemed to be obsessed with dates and times. For example, just look at the killer’s comments on Hartnell’s car door. Not only are the kill dates noted, but the time of the LB kill as well.
If we explore the history of Zodiac watches in the 1960s, they introduced a brand new model in 1969 called the Zodiac Astrographic — the very same year the Zodiac killer began using the name "Zodiac" and the "crosshair" symbol in written correspondence.
Vintagezodiacs.com notes the following: http://www.vintagezodiacs.com/company.php
"1969 – Invention and launching of Astrographic watch, which caused a great sensation."
What’s interesting is the Zodiac cross hair logo on the Astrographic seems to be much larger and more prominent than on any other Zodiac wristwatch model. Not only is the cross hair symbol much larger than on their other watches — it’s moved prominently to the center of the crystal just above the central satellite disc hand stack.
The unique feature of the Astrographic is that instead of traditional hands, translucent discs were used to make it look like the hands were "floating." Zodiac offered both square and round case options for this model.
Interesting name of site that comes up for one of the main sellers of these watches.
Bucherer 1888
Was Zodiac a travelling watch salesman? 
Here’s three different clips of the 1969 Zodiac Astrographic showing it in operation. ==>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X-w6OqnbwQ
It’s generally accepted that the Zodiac wore Wingwalker boots — popular in the navy.
Of note, it also appears the 1969 Zodiac Astrographic was apparently sold at Navy stores.
A user post at the bottom of this page (see link below) about the Zodiac Astrographic talks about a Navy sailor purchasing one:
http://thewatchspotblog.com/?p=3192
"I was once a happy owner of this model back when I was in the U.S. Navy on a ship in 1974 when I bought this watch for under 500.00. You made that watch look like mine which was brand new after purchasing it on a Navy ship store."
Z was former navy and could not quite come up with he cash for a rolex submariner…or may be he just thought ir was cute and it fit his persona so he bought it..zodiac made life rafts at least since the 40”s to my knowledge..if and i strees IF was military and in the navy chances ae goodhe would have run across zodiac rubber life rafts..all my take of course
Interesting theory. Could civilians (with no military experience) purchase boots and watches from military PX stores? Or would one have to either be active for former military personnel?
Z was former navy and could not quite come up with he cash for a rolex submariner…or may be he just thought ir was cute and it fit his persona so he bought it..zodiac made life rafts at least since the 40”s to my knowledge..if and i strees IF was military and in the navy chances ae goodhe would have run across zodiac rubber life rafts..all my take of course
Interesting theory. Could civilians (with no military experience) purchase boots and watches from military PX stores? Or would one have to either be active for former military personnel?
The boots worn by Zodiac at Lake Berryessa were made for the Air Force ( Not the Navy) . They could be bought at a surplus store or a civilian working for the Air Force would have them. Also mechanics working on airplanes would wear them.
Bottom line Zodiac did not have to be in the military to have those boots. Knowing what I know about Zodiac, I doubt he would have made it in the military. Unless he went in years before he became deranged?
I do believe that Zodiac could have used that name before 1969 , Darlene may have known him by that name? That could be why he didn’t announce it until after she was killed?
When he saw the ad for the Zodiac watch with that logo , he may have decided to use that logo with his name? The "Zodiac car" also used that logo. The car I saw my suspect in in Vallejo/Napa 1968, was a Mercury Comet, some of those used that logo.
Z was former navy and could not quite come up with he cash for a rolex submariner…or may be he just thought ir was cute and it fit his persona so he bought it..zodiac made life rafts at least since the 40”s to my knowledge..if and i strees IF was military and in the navy chances ae goodhe would have run across zodiac rubber life rafts..all my take of course
Interesting theory. Could civilians (with no military experience) purchase boots and watches from military PX stores? Or would one have to either be active for former military personnel?
The boots worn by Zodiac at Lake Berryessa were made for the Air Force ( Not the Navy) . They could be bought at a surplus store or a civilian working for the Air Force would have them. Also mechanics working on airplanes would wear them.
Bottom line Zodiac did not have to be in the military to have those boots. Knowing what I know about Zodiac, I doubt he would have made it in the military. Unless he went in years before he became deranged?
I do believe that Zodiac could have used that name before 1969 , Darlene may have known him by that name? That could be why he didn’t announce it until after she was killed?
When he saw the ad for the Zodiac watch with that logo , he may have decided to use that logo with his name? The "Zodiac car" also used that logo. The car I saw my suspect in in Vallejo/Napa 1968, was a Mercury Comet, some of those used that logo.
I agree Zodiac wasn’t active military at the time of the murders. His weight and temperment would argue against that. But he could have been retired military who bought the shoes at the post exchange at Travis AFB. If he was in he might well have gotten thrown out, but his grudge seems to have been against the police and he doesn’t make even oblique military references or use language common to any branch of the services.
