MWC NATO Pattern Stainless Steel Hybrid Military Pilots Chronograph with Sapphire Crystal

Product Details

SKU Code: CHR21/SS/HY

The MWC NATO chronograph in a stainless steel case is designed to meet the needs of military aircrews, airline pilots, and GA pilots. While based on the specifications used by other leading manufacturers of NATO chronographs, this watch includes several improvements for enhanced operation and visibility. The case size is 45.5mm, and the chronograph uses a high-performance VK68 hybrid movement.

Key Features:

• 24-Hour Sub-Dial: This chronograph features a 24-hour (Military Time) subsidiary dial, allowing users to track time in a 24-hour format. This feature is essential for personnel working extended periods without natural daylight exposure.
• Hybrid Movement: The VK68 hybrid movement combines the characteristics of an automatic watch, such as a sweep second hand, with the accuracy of a quartz movement. This setup provides the appearance and feel of a mechanical watch with the precision of quartz.
• Maintenance and Accuracy: The hybrid movement requires significantly less maintenance than mechanical chronographs and is much less prone to long-term reliability issues. The factory-rated accuracy is +/-20 seconds per month, which is vastly superior to mechanical chronographs that are accurate to +/- 2 or 3 seconds per day.

Operation:

When you push the top button, you get a crisp response, and the timing hand starts ticking in 1/5-second increments, similar to a mechanical chronograph. The stop button at 5 o’clock provides the same crisp feel when stopping the chronograph, and pressing it again snaps the hand straight back to 12. The hybrid movement is powered by a battery, regulated by a quartz crystal, and controlled by precision mechanical components.

Practical Benefits:

These models are ideal for those who own multiple watches because they don’t need to be wound before wearing them. All they require is a battery swap every few years and a check of the water resistance. One unique aspect is the absence of a tick, making it indistinguishable from a mechanical watch based on behavior alone.

Technical Specifications:

• Case Diameter: 44mm (excluding crown) and 45.5mm (including crown)
• Lug to Lug: 49mm
• Thickness: 13.5mm
• Dial Color: Black
• Case Material: 316L stainless steel
• Caseback: 316L stainless steel
• Water Resistance: 10 atm (100m or 330ft)
• Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating*
• Strap: 22mm NATO (supplied with 1 x black and 1 x grey NATO nylon webbing straps)
• Illumination: Super Luminova for maximum nighttime performance
• Movement: VK68 Meca-quartz
• Battery: Silver Oxide SR936SW
• Battery Life: Approx. 3 years

Benefits of Sapphire 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 heat treatment to remove internal stresses and coated with two layers of anti-reflective coating. Although sapphire crystals are more expensive, they offer superior longevity, resilience, and performance, justifying their use in higher-end watches.

The MWC NATO chronograph in stainless steel combines modern technology's reliability and precision with the rugged design and functionality needed for professional use. Its robust features and user-friendly design make it an exceptional choice for both professionals and enthusiasts.

• Delivery

  • Shipping Information

    Europe, UK, and Rest of World

    Tracked Mail:

    • Europe: €11.75 / £9.99 / US$12.95
    • UK: £7.95 / €9.50 / US$10.50
    • Rest of World: US$22.75 / €20.50 / £17.50

    Express Courier (UPS or FedEx):

    • Europe: €23.50 / £19.99 / US$25.95
    • UK (UPS/DPD):  £12.95 / €15.25 / US$16.95
    • Rest of World: US$45.50 / €41.25 / £34.95

    Note: The exact shipping cost may vary slightly depending on the weight and dimensions, but it will only differ by a small amount and will be shown at checkout. The above rates cover approximately 85% of parcels.

    Order and Shipment Confirmation

    You will generally receive two emails after placing an order:

    1. Confirmation of receipt of the order and payment.
    2. Notification of shipment once the goods are dispatched.

    Processing Time: Orders are shipped by the Post Office or Courier within 48 hours of payment processing. Note that our shipping centers are closed on Saturdays and Sundays; therefore, orders placed during this time may take up to 72 hours to be dispatched. This includes orders placed after 14:00 (CET) on Fridays.

    Estimated Delivery Times (in working days):

    • Europe:
      • UPS: 2 to 5 days
      • Registered Mail: 7 to 14 days
    • UK:
      • DPD or UPS: 24 hours
      • Tracked Mail: 1 to 2 days
    • Rest of World:
      • UPS: 3 to 10 days
      • Registered Mail: 7 to 21 days*

    *Some countries are notoriously slow to process goods on arrival, including Israel, Hong Kong, Macau, Mexico, South Africa, and some South American countries. Significant delays can also occur in other countries in Africa. For time-sensitive deliveries, we recommend using UPS, DHL, or FedEx.

    All shipping estimates exclude Saturdays and Sundays.

    While we strive to deliver within the above timeframes, they are guides, and delivery cannot be guaranteed. We are not responsible for delays caused by couriers or any national postal service. If your goods are not delivered within the estimated time, please contact us at admin@mwc.watch, and we will do our best to resolve the issue promptly. We are not liable for any loss caused by late delivery.

    Our delivery charges cover the cost of shipping to you but do not include import charges and administration fees to clear the goods when entering your country if applicable.

    It is the purchaser's responsibility to understand that charges may be levied and to pay all subsequent import taxes and duties on goods shipped to their country. If items are returned to MWC due to rejected payment, subsequent charges incurred (such as import duty and processing costs) will be deducted from any refund issued. For more information, please contact accounts@mwc-distribution.com

    If you need to clarify any details regarding local taxes for your location, please contact us before placing an order. For clarification, goods shipped to the EU can be dispatched from our EU location if ordered at https://mwc.eu/, and we also have a dedicated UK shipping center at https://mwcwatches.co.uk/. In the United States, orders under $800 do not incur taxes or fees. In Australia, orders up to AU$1000 are tax-free. Many other countries have similar regulations, which you can verify using this helpful link: Zonos De Minimis Values and also this link to calculate taxes for shipments to most countries worldwide https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/

    We do not accept liability for goods lost after delivery to a PO Box. We reserve the right to cancel orders where the delivery address is a PO Box. Similarly, we do not accept liability for goods lost after confirmed delivery to APO or BFPO locations.

    Customer Notification: It is the customer's responsibility to notify us if goods are not received within 21 days of the estimated delivery date. If no notification is made within this period, the buyer is deemed to have received the goods.

    Safe Place Deliveries

    Some delivery companies allow for delivery without a signature, leaving the item in a "safe place" (e.g., shed, garage, porch). If you choose this option, it is at your own risk. We initially send items by a secure service requiring a signature or proof of delivery. Using a "safe place" increases the risk of theft. We advise ensuring deliveries require a signature to ensure safe receipt.

    Failed Deliveries

    If an item is refused and returned to us, we will refund the order less the outbound and inbound shipping charges once the item is received back at our packing and shipping center. For business locations, please notify the receiving personnel of the expected delivery to avoid refusals. Usually, we will be notified of delivery issues and will email you for instructions. It is important to act quickly to avoid return and associated costs.

    For any questions or further assistance, please contact us at admin@mwc.watch.