MWC 24 Jewel 1980 Pattern 300m Automatic Military Divers Watch with Sapphire Crystal and Ceramic Bezel on a NATO Webbing Strap (With Date)

MWC 24 Jewel 1980 Pattern 300m Automatic Military Divers Watch with Sapphire Crystal and Ceramic Bezel on a NATO Webbing Strap (With Date)SKU Code: SUB 1980 NS AU These diver's watches are a modern remake of our 1980s model, specifically crafted for a U. S. contractor who secured a large sale to one of their clients. The watch features a robust stainless steel case and is equipped with a high performance automatic 24 jewel self winding movement. Several upgrades have been made to the original design, including a shatter and scratch resistant sapphire crystal and an increased water

SKU Code: SUB/1980/NS/AU

These diver's watches are a modern remake of our 1980s model, specifically crafted for a U.S. contractor who secured a large sale to one of their clients. The watch features a robust stainless steel case and is equipped with a high-performance automatic 24-jewel self-winding movement. Several upgrades have been made to the original design, including a shatter and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and an increased water resistance rating. The dial is unbranded (referred to in the military as sterile), giving the watch a very clean and uncluttered appearance.

Historical and Technical Background

Inspired by the 1980 UK MOD specification for automatic diver's watches (DEF STAN 66-4 [Part 1] Issue 3), this model retains key design elements such as the unidirectional bezel and boldly marked dial with tritium paint. The original MOD specification also called for a mineral glass crystal, as documented in the MOD file shown in the final two images. While staying true to the spirit of the original, this updated version incorporates modern improvements, such as the use of non-radioactive paint and the inclusion of sapphire crystal, as detailed below.

Key Features and Upgrades

• Movement: High-performance automatic 24-jewel NH35A self-winding movement with a 41-hour reserve
• Crystal: Shatter and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
• Bezel: Scratch Resistant Ceramic
• Water Resistance: 300m / 1000ft
• Design: Based on the 1980 Pattern MWC Dive Watch
• Visibility: Uses Luminova for excellent nighttime visibility
• Strap: Supplied with 2 x 20mm NATO webbing straps (1 x Black and 1 x Grey)

Specifications

• Water Resistance: 300m / 1000ft
• Crown: Screwdown locking
• Caseback: Screw caseback
• Dimensions:
  • Width: 45mm including the crown, 40mm excluding the crown
  • Thickness: 15mm
  • Crystal Diameter: 31mm
  • Lug to Lug: 49mm
• Weight: 89.5g
• Movement: 24-jewel NH35A with a 41-hour reserve
• Packaging: Giftbox included

Benefits of Sapphire Crystal

Many customers ask about the benefits of sapphire crystal over standard mineral crystal. Synthetic sapphire is extremely strong, shatter-resistant, and scratch-resistant, making it ideal for military and security personnel, police officers, and active outdoor enthusiasts. These groups account for over 70% of our customer base.

Our observations show that over 90% of incidents involving cracked watch crystals occur with mineral glass. Even hardened mineral crystals do not match the durability of sapphire. Sapphire crystals are strengthened through a heat treatment process that removes internal stresses and are then coated with two layers of anti-reflective coating. While sapphire crystals are more expensive, they offer superior longevity, resilience, and performance, justifying their use in higher-end watches.

These models represent excellent value and are competitively priced for such a high-performance automatic watch. This watch combines the historical design and functional integrity of its predecessors with modern upgrades to meet the needs of today's professionals and enthusiasts.