MWC 1999-2001 Pattern Black PVD Quartz Military Divers Watch with Sapphire Crystal and 10 Year Battery Life - Ex Display Watch from the London IFSEC Show in November 2024
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MWC 1999-2001 Pattern Black PVD Quartz Military Divers Watch with Sapphire Crystal and 10 Year Battery Life - Ex Display Watch from the London IFSEC Show in November 2024
This watch (one of 2) is brand new and was a display watch from the London IFSEC Show in November 2024. The watch is brand new but the packaging may show signs of having been handled and also the strap will potentially show signs of having been tried on by a few people at the show.
LOCATION UK
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SKU: DIV2001/PVD/715LI
MWC first introduced the predecessor to this 300m/1000ft water-resistant divers’ watch back in the early 1990s, producing it through to around 2004. While the dial design evolved slightly over the years, the standout favorite—especially among collectors and professional users—remains the clean, highly legible 1999–2001 version. That’s the dial layout we’ve brought back in this new model, retaining the classic military styling and night-time visibility that made it a hit. While the original used tritium lume, this updated version now features Luminova for improved safety and longevity—though we’ve kept the encircled ‘T’ for historical authenticity.
This watch's revival is a story in itself. Nearly two decades after it was discontinued, an MWC distributor in Australia discovered a cache of 500 brand-new pieces during a warehouse stock check. These watches had been supplied in batches between 1999 and 2001, but one final delivery had somehow been shelved and forgotten. Once unearthed, they were quickly offered back to us—and, unsurprisingly, they sold out in no time. The demand was so strong that we decided to bring the watch back, staying true to the original aesthetic while taking full advantage of 20 years of advancements in manufacturing and materials.
Upgrades include:
Movement: Upgraded from a Ronda 705 (5-year battery) to the long-life Ronda 715li, offering up to 10 years of battery life.
Crystal: Replaced the hardened mineral glass with sapphire crystal, which is significantly more scratch- and shatter-resistant.
Bezel: Now a 120-click unidirectional bezel, versus the original 60 or 90 clicks for greater precision and tactile feedback.
Case and Finish
This model features a non-reflective black PVD-treated stainless steel case, a finish often specified in military contracts for special forces and covert ops. Unlike basic painted finishes that chip or fade, PVD plating chemically bonds the color at a molecular level—meaning it's built to last, even under tough conditions. While it’s not invincible (metal-on-metal gouging or repeated abrasion against rock will eventually leave a mark), the durability is vastly superior to cheaper alternatives.
A Case with History
The watch case design is based closely on a model originally developed by the renowned Swiss case-maker MRP S.A., dating back to the late 1970s. Other than a few modern updates, the design remains largely unchanged. MRP was founded in 1953 by Marchand, Roth, and Petignat—hence the name—and remains an independent, family-run business to this day. You can learn more at www.mrp-sa.ch.
This same case pattern has been used by iconic brands over the years, including Heuer (before becoming TAG Heuer), Precista, Elvia, Nilax, and Chronosport, whose Sea Quartz 30 gained fame as Tom Selleck’s watch in Magnum P.I. MWC are also official distributors for Elvia, one of the few brands still producing watches with this case. It’s a true workhorse of military watch design—over 40 years in continuous production and still going strong.
Military Heritage
The overall design of this watch traces back to a British Ministry of Defence (MOD) specification—seen in the final product image. It combines heritage, functionality, and rugged reliability into a single robust package.
Strap: 20mm Black Military Nylon Webbing (NATO-compatible)
Weight: 89.5g
Warranty: 24 Months
Why Sapphire Crystal?
We’re often asked about the difference between sapphire and standard mineral crystals. The short version? Sapphire is in a different league. It’s highly scratch- and shatter-resistant—essential for military, police, and outdoor professionals, who make up over 70% of our customer base. Even compared to hardened mineral glass, sapphire holds up far better under rough conditions.
Sapphire crystals are heat-treated to eliminate internal stresses (a common cause of cracking) and then coated with anti-reflective layers—resulting in exceptional clarity and strength. It’s no surprise sapphire is now used in high-end smartphones like the iPhone. Yes, it costs more—but the benefits are clear.
