MWC 1999-2001 Pattern Automatic Military Divers Watch - Retro Luminous Paint, Sapphire Crystal, 60 Hour Power Reserve

SKU: DIV2001/SSAT/AUT

MWC first manufactured the predecessor to this 300m/1000ft water-resistant diver's watch between the early 1990s and 2004. Although the dial design evolved over that period, the 1999-2001 pattern remains the clear winner due to its easily readable, uncluttered layout and exceptional nighttime performance. This watch retains the original dial pattern with retro luminous paint that looks identical to our watches from 30 years ago. While the original watches used tritium, these new versions use Luminova, with the encircled "T" retained for historical accuracy.

The predecessor to this watch was originally discontinued in 2007. However, an interesting turn of events occurred a few years ago when an MWC distributor in Australia discovered 500 brand new watches in their storeroom. These were the standard quartz versions made between 1999 and 2001, supplied in batches of 500 to fulfill a procurement contract. When the current owner's father retired, his son conducted a detailed stock check and found these watches, which were then offered back to MWC. All of those watches are now sold, but their popularity prompted us to remake the watches in the same design while carrying out significant upgrades to improve the overall specification. Advances in watch manufacturing over the intervening years made these improvements possible.

The main improvements include:

• Movement: The use of an automatic Miyota 8315 movement with a 60-hour power reserve, which is exceptional today but unheard of over 20 years ago. The movement can also be hand-wound and has hacking for synchronization.
• Crystal: Upgrading from hardened mineral glass to sapphire, which is highly scratch and shatter-resistant.
• Bezel: Switching from a 60 or 90 click bezel to a 120 click bezel.

These watches are closely based on a case design originally made by the famous Swiss case-making firm MRP S.A. Founded in 1953 and bought by Georges Hauert in 1979, MRP is now independently owned by Patrick Hauert. The case design has remained largely unchanged since the late 1970s. More information can be found on their website: MRP S.A..

In addition to MWC watches, other watches using this case pattern have been produced by companies such as Precista, Nilax, Elvia, and Heuer (predecessors to Tag Heuer who made the Heuer 844-1 in 1979). Chronosport manufactured the Sea Quartz 30, worn by Tom Selleck in Magnum PI. Elvia continues to produce watches using this case, and MWC are factory-authorized distributors for this brand. CWC and various other companies also continue to use this case design. This case pattern is historically significant and has stood the test of time, being in continuous production for over 40 years.

The basic design of these MWC watches goes back to the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) specification shown in the final two images.

Dimensions and Specifications:

• Casing: Satin Finish Non-Reflective Stainless Steel
• Crown: Screw-down Locking
• Water Resistance: 30 ATM / 300m / 1000ft
• Movement: Miyota 8315 with 60-hour power reserve
• Dimensions:
  • Width including crown: 45mm
  • Width excluding crown: 40mm
  • Thickness: 13.1mm
  • Lug to lug: 46.5mm
  • Crystal diameter: 31mm
• Crystal Type: Sapphire with non-reflective coating
• Luminous Paint Type: Luminova
• Bezel: 120-click unidirectional
• Weight: 89.5g
• Strap Bars: Spring Bars
• Strap: 1 x Black and 1 x Grey Nylon Webbing Straps
• Guarantee: 24 months

Benefits of Sapphire Crystal:

Synthetic sapphire is the best material for watch crystals due to its strength and shatter and scratch resistance. These characteristics make it very appealing to military and security personnel, police officers, and those who lead active outdoor lifestyles, who account for over 70% of our customers. The original plexiglass crystals used in the 1960s were easily scratched and prone to cracking, limiting water resistance. When clients have accidents resulting in a cracked crystal, over 90% involve watches with mineral glass crystals or plexiglass. Even hardened mineral crystals do not come close to sapphire for durability under adverse conditions. Sapphire crystals are heat-treated to remove internal stresses, enhancing their strength. They are then made into watch crystals with two layers of anti-reflective coating. Sapphire crystal's robustness and durability make it a preferred choice for high-end watches and is now used in the latest iPhone models.

Of course, sapphire crystal comes at a price, hence it is normally only fitted to higher-end watches.