The MWC Kampfschwimmer (Military Diver) 500 m water-resistant models with helium escape valve are one of MWC's latest heavy-duty range of divers watches and have a significantly more robust case than most other military dive watches, they also have additional crown protection, in addition, this model also has the advantage of an impact-resistant sapphire crystal and a scratch-resistant ceramic bezel.
The Kampfschwimmer range also uses a wider strap at 24 mm (most military divers watches use a 20 mm strap) and a thicker bezel design. The thicker bezel makes it significantly easier to grip which is a feature which was specified in a procurement contract because these watches were specifically designed for use by Police and Military divers as well as for use in inflatables operating in cold and extreme environments.
The special covert matt black non-reflective PVD finish used for this watch is often specified in military contracts for many special forces units as well as by anti-terrorist units and for various covert operations. In the PVD process, the steel is not black all the way through because the colour is created by a special chemical PVD plating process which is vastly superior to the painted finish used on some lower quality watches which can easily fade or rub off. This PVD process means that the colour of the steel is altered at a molecular level, therefore it will not deteriorate even during heavy usage although it can be destroyed if the case is badly damaged by a piece of metal being gouged out or if the case is worn down by continuous heavy abrasion against rocks etc.
This particular model has a U.S. 12/24 hour format NATO pattern dial and is finished in PVD stainless steel. The movement is a high quality 24 jewel automatic with hacking function to enable synchronization. The movement also has a 41-hour power reserve.
Dimensions and Specification:
Movement: 24 Jewel Automatic with a hacking function
Water Resistance: 500m/1,640ft
Helium Escape Valve
Crown: Screw Down Locking
Width Inc Crown: 48 mm
With Exc Crown: 43 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight: 120g Inc Strap
Crystal Diameter: 31 mm
Crystal Type: Shatter and Scratch Resistant Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Coating.*
Lug to Lug: 50 mm
Case: 316L PVD Steel
Illumination: Luminova on markers and hands
Strap: 24 mm NATO Webbing Strap
* 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% 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.
