MWC 100atm / 3,280ft / 1000m Water Resistant Divers Watch in Stainless Steel Case with Helium Valve on a Matching Bracelet / 100% Swiss Made with a Sellita SW200 26 Jewel Automatic Movement (Copy)
This watch is brand. but was one of two display watches at the FEINDEF 2023 International Defense Exhibition in Madrid, Spain it still has a full two year guarantee, and is in perfect new condition, but as you can see significantly reduced.
SKU: 100AT/SS/BB/200
This 100% Swiss-made diver's watch is one of MWC's latest heavy-duty models. Extremely robust, it features a sapphire crystal and is suitable for diving with mixed gases at extreme depths due to its 100ATM water resistance rating. The watch also boasts a wider 24mm strap and a non-scratch ceramic bezel that is easier to grip in extreme cold. Specifically designed for use by professional divers under challenging conditions, all MWC 100ATM models are equipped with a helium escape valve.
Key Features and Specifications:
- Movement: Sellita SW200, 28,800 bph, 26 Jewels, 38-hour power reserve
- Water Resistance: 100ATM / 3,280ft / 1000m
- Crown: Screwdown locking
- Helium Escape Valve: Yes
- Case Width: 45mm
- Bezel Type: Unidirectional Non-Reflective with Ceramic Insert
- Thickness: 15.8mm
- Crystal Type: Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Coating
- Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel
- Illumination: Super Luminova on markers, hands, and bezel
- Strap: 22mm Matching Stainless Steel Bracelet
Why a Helium Escape Valve?
Helium molecules are among the smallest of all molecules, capable of entering the watch even though other gases and water cannot. This is a common issue for saturation divers who spend extended periods at great depths under high pressure. Helium can build up inside the watch, potentially causing serious damage by blowing out the crystal or crown during decompression.
The helium escape valve automatically releases helium from the watch during decompression, preventing any damage. While most divers won't live in a pressurized environment for days or weeks, having a helium valve ensures the watch remains fit for deep diving purposes.
Why Use Helium in Deep Diving?
Helium is used in deep diving because it does not cause negative effects like nitrogen, which can lead to nitrogen narcosis. In deep-sea mixed gas diving applications, helium replaces nitrogen. Professional divers often operate at great depths for extended periods, living in dry environments pressurized with an oxygen/helium mix. During decompression, the helium must be safely expelled from the watch to avoid damage.
Benefits of Sapphire Crystal:
Synthetic sapphire is the best material for watch crystals due to its strength and resistance to shattering and scratching. These properties make it highly appealing to military and security personnel, police officers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Sapphire crystal is heat-treated to remove internal stresses and coated with two layers of anti-reflective material, ensuring durability and clarity. Although more expensive, sapphire crystal offers superior protection compared to mineral glass crystals, which are more prone to cracking.
Sapphire crystal's strength and durability are why it is used in high-end watches and even in the latest iPhones.