Product Code: SUB/MIL/SS/AU/W

These diver's watches are a modern remake of our 1980s model, specifically crafted for a U.S. contractor who secured a large sale to one of their clients. The watch features a robust stainless steel case and is equipped with a high-performance automatic 24-jewel self-winding movement. Several upgrades have been made to the original design, including a shatter and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and an increased water resistance rating. The dial is unbranded (referred to in the military as sterile), giving the watch a very clean and uncluttered appearance.

Historical and Technical Background

This watch is based on a 1980 UK MOD specification for automatic diver's watches (DEF STAN 66-4 [Part 1] Issue 3), which specified a unidirectional bezel and a boldly marked dial with tritium paint and a mineral glass crystal. The MOD document from 1980 can be seen in the final two images. While this watch retains the spirit of the 1980 design, it includes modern improvements such as a sapphire crystal for enhanced durability.

Key Features and Upgrades

• Movement: High-performance automatic 24-jewel NH35A self-winding movement with a 41-hour reserve
• Crystal: Shatter and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
• Water Resistance: 300m / 1000ft
• Design: Sterile dial for a clean, uncluttered appearance
• Visibility: Uses Luminova for excellent nighttime visibility
• Strap: Supplied with 2 x 20mm NATO webbing straps for versatility and customization

Specifications

• Water Resistance: 300m / 1000ft
• Crown: Screwdown locking
• Caseback: Screw caseback
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 45mm including the crown, 40mm excluding the crown
  • Thickness: 15mm
  • Crystal Diameter: 31mm
  • Lug to Lug: 49mm
• Weight: 89.5g
• Movement: 24-jewel NH35A with a 41-hour reserve
• Strap: 2 x 20mm NATO webbing straps
• Packaging: Giftbox included

Benefits of Sapphire Crystal

Many customers ask about the benefits of sapphire crystal over standard mineral crystal. Synthetic sapphire is extremely strong, shatter-resistant, and scratch-resistant, making it ideal for military and security personnel, police officers, and active outdoor enthusiasts. These groups account for over 70% of our customer base.

Our observations show that over 90% of incidents involving cracked watch crystals occur with mineral glass. Even hardened mineral crystals do not match the durability of sapphire. Sapphire crystals are strengthened through a heat treatment process that removes internal stresses and are then coated with two layers of anti-reflective coating. While sapphire crystals are more expensive, they offer superior longevity, resilience, and performance, justifying their use in higher-end watches.

These models represent excellent value and are competitively priced for such a high-performance automatic watch. This watch combines the historical design and functional integrity of its predecessors with modern upgrades to meet the needs of today's professionals and enthusiasts.