The Limited Edition MWC Mk III Automatic in black PVD is a recreation of the classic 1950s NATO specification watches which were made under UK Ministry of Defence reference 6B/346 Mk XI. Although it is very similar in style to the watches made at that time it offers greatly improved accuracy through the use of a modern 24 jewel Automatic movement with a hacking function.
The reality is that with the budgetary constraints no modern military forces could afford watches of this quality when cheaper models can meet the need. In the past the worlds forces regularly purchased Rolex, IWC, Omega, Longines and various other well-known brands. Unfortunately, those days are well gone. Because many people still want a military type watch that looks right even though it is made to a much higher specification we offer the MKIII. No expense has been spared to create a superior quality product from the high-performance movement to the brushed stainless steel 1950/60s design case which is manufactured and hand-finished in Zürich. The quality of finish is visibly superior to any current military watches.
The special covert matt black non-reflective PVD finish is often specified in military contracts for many special forces units as well as by anti-terrorist units and for various covert operations. In the PVD process, the steel is not black all the way through because the colour is created by a special chemical PVD plating process which is vastly superior to the painted finish used on some lower quality watches which can easily fade or rub off. This PVD process means that the colour of the steel is altered at a molecular level, therefore it will not deteriorate even during heavy usage although it can be destroyed if the case is badly damaged by a piece of metal being gouged out or if the case is worn down by really heavy abrasion against rocks or something similar.
The watch has a screw caseback and screw-down crown; it is highly accurate and very robust as well as being water-resistant to 100m (330ft).
SPECIFICATION
Width Inc Crown: 40mm
Width Exc Crown: 38mm
Scratch and Impact Resistant Sapphire Crystal*
Luminous Material: Luminova
Thickness: 11.5mm
Weight: 61g
Lug Size: 20mm
Lug to lug is 45mm
100m Water Resistance
Screw caseback and crown
24 jewel, mechanical NH35A self-winding automatic movement. with "Hacking"
20mm Strap
* A lot of people ask us what are the benefits of sapphire crystal over a standard mineral crystal? The answer is that synthetic sapphire is by far the best material for watch crystals because it is very strong and also shatter and scratch-resistant, these characteristics make it very appealing to military and security personnel, police officers, and people who lead active outdoor lifestyles, these groups account for over 70% of our customers. To get things into perspective we find that when clients have accidents with watches resulting in a cracked crystal over 90% usually watches with mineral glass crystals, even factoring in that we use hardened mineral crystals they still do not come close to sapphire for durability under adverse conditions. The reason that sapphire crystals are so strong is that after the sapphire glass is manufactured it is also heat-treated to remove its internal stresses—which can cause weakness—it is then made into the watch crystals and two layers of anti-reflective coating are applied, interestingly sapphire crystal is now used on the latest iPhone. Of course, sapphire crystal comes at a price hence you find that it's normally only fitted to higher-end watches.
