MWC 500m (1640ft) Water Resistant Black PVD Steel Automatic Divers Watch With 12/24 Dial, Sapphire Crystal, Ceramic Bezel and Helium Valve

SKU Code: XLD/A24/SSPVB/500

The MWC Kampfschwimmer (Military Diver) 500B m water-resistant models with helium escape valve are one of MWC’s latest heavy-duty range of divers watches and have a significantly more robust case than most other military dive watches, they also have additional crown protection, inB addition, this model also has the advantage of an impact-resistant sapphire crystal and a scratch-resistant ceramic bezel.

The Kampfschwimmer range also uses a wider strap at 24B mm (most military divers watches use a 20B mm strap) and a thicker bezel design. The thicker bezel makes it significantly easier to grip which is a feature which was specified in a procurement contract because these watches were specifically designed for use by Police and Military divers as well as for use in inflatables operating in cold and extreme environments.

The special covert matt black non-reflective PVD finish used for this watch 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 continuous heavy abrasion against rocks etc.

This particular model has aB U.S.B 12/24 hour format NATO pattern dial and is finished in black PVD stainless steel. The movement is a high quality 24 jewel automatic with hacking function to enable synchronization. The movement also has a 41-hour power reserve.B

Dimensions and Specification:

• Movement: 24 Jewel Automatic with a hacking function
• Water Resistance:B 500m / 1640ft
• Helium Escape Valve
• Crown: Screw Down Locking
• Width Inc Crown: 48B mm
• With Exc Crown: 43B mm
• Thickness: 16B mm
• Weight: 120g IncB Strap
• Crystal Diameter: 31B mm
• Crystal Type: Shatter and Scratch Resistant Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Coating.*
• Lug to Lug: 50B mmB
  
• Case: 316L PVDB Steel
• Illumination: Luminova on markers and hands
• Lug Type: Spring Pins
• Strap: 24B mm NATO Webbing 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 strongB and alsoB shatter and scratch-resistant, these characteristics make it very appealing to military and security personnel,B policeB 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 crystalsB are so strongB is that after the sapphire glass is manufactured it is also heat-treated to remove its internal stressesb which can cause weaknessb it is thenB made into the watch crystals and two layers of anti-reflective coating are applied,B interestingly sapphire crystal is now used on the latestB iPhone. Of course, sapphire crystal comes at a price hence you find that it’s normally only fitted toB higher-end watches.