Manufacturers of High Quality Military Watches Since 1974

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

$367.00

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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.

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