ELVIA Day/Date Military Divers Watch with Sapphire Crystal and Quartz Movement - Ex Display Watch from the Border Security Expo Reduced
BSES4
We have two of these watches due to arrive in Mid May from the 2025 Border Security Expo. They are both brand new, and in perfect condition but the strap might show signs of having been tried on, and the packaging might be slightly soiled but both have a full 24 month guarantee from the manufacturer.
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ELVIA Quartz Military Diver’s Watch – 300m Water Resistant
SKU: ELVIA/QZ/DIVSB
A Heritage Design Born from the Sea, Built for Today
This ELVIA diver’s watch is a faithful modern remake of the original military-issue models produced for the French Marine Nationale (MN) in the 1970s. Staying true to the classic design, it combines rugged reliability with historical authenticity—a perfect fusion of military legacy and modern engineering.
A Legacy of Military Excellence
ELVIA was an official military contractor to the French Navy, joining the ranks of legendary manufacturers like Beuchat, Tudor, Rolex, Heuer, Luxia, MN Auricoste, Triton, and ZRC. These were the golden years of elite dive watch production—functional, battle-ready timepieces designed to meet the harsh demands of naval operations.
This watch shares its case pattern with numerous classic models, including the famous Heuer 844-1 (1979) and Chronosport Sea Quartz 30, worn by Tom Selleck in Magnum P.I.. Today, the same case architecture is still used by respected brands like CWC and MWC, a testament to its enduring design and proven performance.
Built on a Time-Tested Case Design
The watch case is based on a pattern originally developed by MRP S.A., a highly regarded Swiss case manufacturer founded in 1953 by Marchand, Roth, and Petignat. The company, acquired in 1979 by Georges Hauert and now owned by Patrick Hauert, remains independent and thriving—a rarity in today’s watch industry. You can visit them at MRP S.A..
With only a few minor updates, the case design remains remarkably true to the original 1970s blueprint—proving that great design stands the test of time.
Specifications
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Casing: Stainless steel with light sandblasted, non-reflective finish
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Crown: Screw-down locking
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Water Resistance: 300m / 1000ft / 30 ATM
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Movement: Swiss-made Ronda 517 Quartz, day/date display
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Battery Life: Approximately 45 months
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Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective coating (31mm diameter)
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Bezel: 120-click unidirectional
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Lume: Luminova for excellent nighttime visibility
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Case Dimensions:
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45mm including crown
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40mm excluding crown
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12mm thick
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Lug to lug: 46.5mm
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Weight: 89.5g
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Straps Included:
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1 x Elasticated French military-style nylon strap
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1 x Standard NATO webbing strap
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Spring Bars: Included
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Guarantee: 24 months
The watch uses standard 20mm straps, compatible with a wide range of NATO and military-style options—ideal if you like to mix up your look or have specific tactical needs.
Why Sapphire Crystal?
We’re often asked why we use sapphire instead of mineral glass. Here's why:
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Sapphire crystal is extremely strong, scratch-resistant, and shatter-resistant—ideal for military, police, and outdoor use.
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Over 90% of cracked crystals we see involve mineral glass, even when hardened.
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Sapphire undergoes a heat treatment to eliminate internal stresses before it’s shaped into the final crystal. It’s then coated with two layers of anti-reflective treatment.
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It’s the same material used in high-end watches and the latest iPhones.
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While sapphire adds to the cost, the result is a dramatically more durable watch that can handle real-world abuse without compromise.
This ELVIA diver’s watch is more than a timepiece—it’s a piece of military watch history, reborn with the quality and durability expected by modern professionals.