MWC first manufactured the predecessor to this 300m / 1000ft water-resistant diver’s watch between the early 1990s and 2004. This particular model is closely based on a watch introduced by MWC in 2005, which was notable for being our first diver’s watch to use self-luminous tritium gas tubes (GTLS).
The use of GTLS tritium tubes makes this watch exceptionally easy to read in low light or total darkness. Each hour marker, along with the hour and minute hands, contains a sealed tritium vial that glows continuously from dusk until dawn without the need for charging, batteries, or external light sources. The illumination remains consistent for many years, with an expected lifespan of at least 10 years before gradual fading begins.
Although the tubes contain radioactive gas, the total quantity used in the watch is well below internationally permitted personal limits and complies fully with applicable safety regulations.
Military watches of this type are among the most legible timepieces ever produced for night-time use. The self-powered tritium light sources can appear up to 100 times brighter than traditional luminous paint, making them particularly valued by military personnel, security professionals, emergency services, and outdoor users operating in darkness.
Although the earlier GTLS version of this watch was discontinued in 2007, an unexpected discovery several years later reignited interest in the design. An MWC distributor in Australia uncovered 500 brand-new watches during a detailed stock check following a change of ownership. These watches, produced between 1999 and 2001, had been supplied in batches over a three-year procurement period, with the final delivery inadvertently overlooked.
After all of these watches were sold, their popularity led us to reintroduce the design, retaining its original appearance but incorporating significant upgrades made possible by modern manufacturing. The most notable improvements include the use of an automatic Miyota 8315 movement with an exceptional 60-hour power reserve, hand-winding capability, and hacking seconds for precise synchronisation. The crystal was upgraded from hardened mineral glass to sapphire, offering vastly superior scratch and impact resistance, and the bezel was updated to a precise 120-click unidirectional design.
For this GTLS version in particular, we also took advantage of the significant advances in Swiss tritium tube performance achieved over the past two decades, resulting in improved brightness and longevity compared to early generations.
The case design is closely based on a historic pattern originally produced by MRP S.A. of Switzerland, a renowned case-making firm founded in 1953. With only minor updates, this case has remained largely unchanged since the late 1970s and has been used by numerous respected brands including Precista, Nilax, Elvia, Heuer (pre-TAG), Chronosport, and CWC. Few case designs in watchmaking history can claim such long and continuous production.
The underlying design of these watches traces back to British Ministry of Defence (MOD) specifications. The watch measures 45 mm including the crown and 40 mm excluding the crown, and uses a 20 mm military-style nylon webbing strap, allowing compatibility with a wide range of NATO strap options.
Key Features
300m / 1000ft water resistance (30ATM)
Swiss tritium GTLS illumination (hands and hour markers)
Automatic Miyota 8315 movement with 60-hour power reserve
Hand-winding and hacking seconds
Sapphire crystal with non-reflective coating
120-click unidirectional bezel
Screw-down locking crown
MOD-inspired military design
Supplied with two 20 mm nylon webbing straps
24-month guarantee
Dimensions & Specifications
Case material: Satin finish non-reflective stainless steel
Crown: Screw-down locking
Water resistance: 30 ATM / 300 m / 1000 ft
Movement: Miyota 8315 automatic (60-hour power reserve)
Case diameter (excluding crown): 44.5 mm
Case diameter (including crown): 46.0 mm
Case width (2 o’clock to 8 o’clock): 42.5 mm
Lug-to-lug length: 47.5 mm
Case thickness: 13.1 mm
Crystal diameter: 31 mm
Crystal type: Sapphire with non-reflective coating
Luminous material: Swiss tritium gas tubes (GTLS)
Bezel: 120-click unidirectional
Weight: 89.5 g
Strap bars: Spring bars
Straps supplied: 1 × Black and 1 × Grey 20 mm nylon webbing
Guarantee: 24 months
Why Sapphire Crystal?
Synthetic sapphire is widely regarded as the best material for watch crystals due to its exceptional strength and resistance to scratching and shattering. In real-world use, the vast majority of cracked crystals occur on watches fitted with mineral glass, even hardened mineral glass. Sapphire’s durability and clarity under harsh conditions make it the preferred choice for professional, military, and outdoor watches, which is why it is typically reserved for higher-end timepieces.
