Mens Pulsar Military Style Chronograph Watch PM3129X1 - Formally and Enhanced PJN305X1

Product Information

The first commercially available quartz watch released to the public was the Seiko Astron in 1969, so why did it take so long for this technically superior movement to make its way to the military? Another high-quality option if you are looking for a G10 pattern watch is the Precista PRS10 this is another watch very much in the same type of design as some of the CWC and MWC watches. I particularly like this watch personally because the crystal whilst Sapphire that would be looks visually very close to the old original plexiglass G10 watches. This watch like some MWC G10's uses tritium GTLS light sources for first-rate nighttime performance, all the leading manufacturers of military watches with GTLS tritium tubes namely Marathon, Nite and MWC would all be buying the tubes from the same Swiss manufacturer because there are no other high-quality sources of supply hence performance would be the same between all three brands.

We were sent a copy of an official MoD reply to an enquiry in 2014 regarding the current general service issue watch, oddly many people believe this to be a CWC but it doesn't actually appear anywhere on this document nor in documents from 2012 and 2014. The current watch for general service use is a Seiko PXD433 NSN 6645-99-605-2627 and we know that 293 were issued in the 4 years 2012-2016 this freedom of information request was Ref: FOI2016/06648 and can be seen here https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/540450/DE_S_FOI_2016_06648___Information_of_British_Armed_Forces_Watches_and_suppliers_in__Annex_A_.pdf was a significant year for British military watches. For the first time in a quarter of a millennium, a British military issued watch was not powered by a mechanical wind up movement, but an entirely new electronic movement commonly known as Quartz. The specifications for this new type of British military watch were laid out in a Ministry of Defence document published in this year, called “Defence Standard 66-4”, the front cover of which is shown below. As with most field watches, it's mid-sized and uncomplicated. In keeping with the military aesthetic, the top of the case is brushed to give an understated look.

Currently the Royal Navy issue divers watch is the Citizen Divers Watch BN0000-04H NSN: 6645-99-852-5953, these were supplied to the Ministry of defence by Northern Diver International Ltd. The watch has a solid one-piece case with screwdown crown, they are a low maintenance watch with an Eco-Drive movement. In the first column the document from 2016 confirms that 316 had been issued so considering it's over fairly long period of time once again quite a small number. Although it's a little bigger than my confort area at 40mm, the watch wears great due to the lugs being curved down. Speaking of lugs, you gotta love the attention to detail: you have drilled lugs to easibly change straps. What I find particularly appealing about the Precista is the fact it closely resembles one of the early G10 watches whilst having the benefits of modern usability. Front cover of the official document with the specification requirements for the first British military quartz watch, “Defence Standard 66-4”, published in February 1980 by the Ministry of Defence.

These simple field watches are equipped with Japanese conventional quartz mechanisms (Epson-Seiko and Hattori respectively). Having started Part I in 1914, we have now travelled through all 100 years of British military issued watches, and arrived in the present day. So what lies in the future for British military watches? Well it’s obviosuly difficult to predict the future, but, by understanding the changes in the past, we can suggest where things are heading. With regard to the surplus watches specifically described as “in need of attention” we would not recommend that customers buy them unless they have basic horological skills or access to a friendly watchmaker who will carry out the work needed. The style is recognisable. This could be a Hamilton Khaki. It has the same 12/24 dial layout and the same distinctive hands. Of course, it's a fraction of the price of a Hamilton. Marathon watches are similar in many ways to the Nite and MWC watches because they use the same tritium GTLS tubes. Marathon like MWC produce a very large range of slightly varying models with slightly different specifications but targeted at infantry and law-enforcement personnel.Over the past 100+ years, wrist chronographs have been staples of military kit, being issued to armed forces all over the world. You could easily fill a book with all the various pieces that exist (and people have), but today we’ll just take a look at a handful of lesser-known examples from throughout the past century. 1930s: Hanhart Calibre 40 Finaly, I'm surprised that the PXH35, according to their loyalty to the military standards, cool look, price and quality has not become yet into a more desired object. But the comparison is a good one. Pulsar was originally a brand owned by Hamilton. Hamilton is now Swiss-owned and Pulsar is Japanese. This attractive military-style model would be my first choice for a Pulsar solar watch. It's similar to the G10 model that Pulsar supplied to the British army. It's also very affordable.