We are finding that increasing numbers of customers need to track the time in two separate time zones in a way that is easy and without the need for additional hands or other complications, historically the solution was to buy a dedicated GMT Watch but this is not really necessary for most people because there is vastly simpler solution which is much easier to work with. The majority of dive watches have what is termed a "count-up" type bezel this is something which is made specifically for diving applications, whilst we supply a lot of organizations and individuals with dive watches the demand has greatly increased over the last two or three years for a 12 hour bezel rather than the standard divers "count-up" pattern, the reason for this is that many divers these days tend to use a dive computer as well as a standard divers watch - frequently with them on different wrists - historically the purpose of the rotating bezel was to alert divers when their oxygen was running low. Because most divers tanks usually run out of oxygen in around 60 minutes, rotating "count-up" bezels are split into 60 markers and each marker represents one minute, because the dive computer renders this function superfluous it makes sense to increase the flexibility of the watch by changing the bezel pattern to fulfill another function whilst still retaining the 300m/1000ft water resistance rating and traditional divers watch appearance. The 12 hour bezel design is incredibly simple to use because unlike dedicated GMT watches which have an additional hand with these watches you just offset the bezel by the required number of hours and you are good to go — for example Miami is 6 hours behind Paris and most other western European cities, this means if you are in Paris or Berlin and and its 3pm (15.00) and you want to know at a glance what time it is back in Florida, you would turn the bezel until 9 o'clock (09.00) appears alongside the 3 hour marker. Now, the hours in Florida correspond to the hours in Western Europe and that is all there is to it, frankly it couldn't be easier.
This particular watch is based on a 1960s military specification for military divers watches but in addition to the feature outlined above it has some other subtle upgrades such as a sapphire crystal and an automatic self winding movement. The watch is housed in a robust stainless steel and can be handwound if required and the movement also has a hacking function for synchronisation and represents exceptional value for such a high specification timepiece.
Although the watch uses Luminova as opposed to the Tritium which was used in the 1960s it has an encircled T as opposed the the L normally used for Luminova on military watches this is for historical reasons. Luminova unlike Tritium does not deteriorate with age and is notradioactive.
This watch measures 39mm in diameter and is fitted with a matching stainless steel bracelet.
Dimensions and Specification:
300m / 1000ft Water Resistant
Movement Automatic24JewelNH35A
Screwdown locking crown
Screw Caseback
Sapphire Crystal*
Width: 39mm
Thickness 14.4mm
Lug to Lug 47.5mm
Weight 150g
Luminova Paint
20mm Stainless steel bracelet
* A lot of people ask us what are the benefits of sapphire crystal over a standard mineral crystal? The answer is that synthetic sapphire is by far the best material for watch crystals because it is very strong and also shatter and scratch resistant, these characteristics make it very appealing to military and security personnel, police officers and people who lead active outdoor lifestyles, these groups account for over 70% of our customers. To get things into perspective we find that when clients have accidents with watches resulting in a cracked crystal over 90% are usually watches with mineral glass crystals, even factoring in that we use hardened mineral crystals they still do not come close to sapphire for durability under adverse conditions. The reason that sapphire crystals are so strong is that after the sapphire glass is manufactured it is also heat-treated to remove its internal stresses—which can cause weakness—it is then made into the watch crystals and two layers of anti-reflective coating are applied, interestingly sapphire crystal is now used on the latest iPhone. Of course sapphire crystal comes at a price hence you find that it's normally only fitted to higher end watches.
