ELVIA first produced military specification diver's watches with this case design in the 1970s for the French MN Marine Nationale (French Navy). This current model captures the spirit of those original watches.
ELVIA was an officially authorized military contractor to the Marine Nationale, alongside notable brands such as Beuchat, Tudor, Rolex, Heuer, Luxia, MN Auricoste, Triton, and ZRC. Many of these companies, including MWC and CWC, either used or continue to use this case pattern today.
The current ELVIA watches, like the originals from the 1970s and 80s, are based on a case pattern originally made by the renowned Swiss case-making firm MRP S.A. Aside from a few minor updates, the case remains almost identical to the late 1970s design. MRP S.A was founded in 1953 by Marchand, Roth, and Petignat. In 1979, the company was acquired by Georges Hauert, and today, Patrick Hauert owns the entire share capital. Unlike many other watch companies, MRP S.A. remains independent and successful. You can learn more about the company here: MRP S.A.
In addition to ELVIA, other watches using this case pattern have been produced by companies like Precista, Nilax, and Heuer (predecessor to TAG Heuer, which introduced the Heuer 844-1 in 1979). Chronosport, another manufacturer, made the Sea Quartz 30, famously worn by Tom Selleck in Magnum P.I. CWC and various other companies continue to use this iconic case design. Despite its historical significance, few people realize how well this case pattern has stood the test of time, having been in continuous production for over 40 years.
The watch measures 45mm with the crown and 40mm without it. It uses a 20mm military nylon webbing strap, similar to many current military diver's watches, allowing for a wide variety of NATO strap options.
Dimensions and Specifications:
Casing: Stainless Steel with a non-reflective, light sandblasted finish
Crown: Screw-down locking
Water Resistance: 30 ATM / 300m / 1000ft
Movement: 24-Jewel NH35 Self-Winding Automatic with a 41-hour power reserve
Dimensions:
Width (with crown): 45mm
Width (without crown): 40mm
Thickness: 12mm
Lug to Lug: 46.5mm
Crystal Diameter: 31mm
Crystal Type: Sapphire with non-reflective coating
Luminous Paint: Luminova
Bezel: 120-click unidirectional
Weight: 89.5g
Strap: Elasticated nylon French military webbing strap, plus a standard NATO strap
Spring Bars: Included
Guarantee: 24 months
Why choose sapphire crystal over standard mineral crystal?
Sapphire crystal is the best material for watch crystals because it is highly durable, shatter-resistant, and scratch-resistant. These qualities make it ideal for military personnel, police officers, and outdoor enthusiasts—who make up over 70% of our customers. When watches suffer accidents resulting in a cracked crystal, over 90% of the time the watch has a mineral glass crystal. While we use hardened mineral crystals, they don't compare to sapphire in terms of durability under harsh conditions.
Sapphire crystals undergo heat treatment to remove internal stresses, making them stronger. Afterward, two layers of anti-reflective coating are applied. Interestingly, sapphire crystal is now used in the latest iPhone models. While sapphire crystals come at a higher cost, they are typically found in higher-end watches because of their superior durability.
