The REACTOR Gryphon is a time piece designed specifically for military and LE use and heralds the company’s first use of a unique new polymer-steel hybrid “case-in-a-case” construction.
“Plastics are great for their weight and durability against abrasion,” said Reactor President Jimmy Olmes, “but you cannot meet our standards for strength or water resistance with plastics alone, so we set out to find a way.” “Our black-plated watches have been very popular with our military and LE customers,” said Olmes, “but black IP over stainless is still more reflective than we would like, and it can be scratched, revealing the bare metal underneath. The Gryphon has a truly non-reflective surface that will not show a scratch, and it is lighter weight without sacrificing any strength.”
The result is a solid 316L stainless steel core that provides integrity for all the key interface points. The special K-1 hardened crystal mounts with an I ring into stainless steel, the screw down crown is welded into the stainless steel core and the forged stainless steel case back threads into the stainless steel core providing maximum water resistance over the long term. This internal core is then wrapped with a strong and highly impact resistant, reinforced polymer that REACTOR calls Nitromid™.
In addition to this unique case construction REACTOR developed a new strap that combines the comfort and odor resistant capabilities of AA grade silicone with the tensile strength of polyester webbing. Taking inspiration from their highly successful natural rubber and silicone band used on other REACTOR watches, REACTOR overlaid a tightly woven polyester webbing that serves as the interface at the case. This provides unprecedented strength, durability and comfort without the perspiration-absorption issues of normal webbing-based straps.
Gryphon features a 42mm case with a unidirectional, 120 click timing bezel, REACTOR’s patented Never Dark dial technology, combining tritium tubes and Superluminova, and a depth rating of 200M. Solid stainless steel screw bars are used to secure the strap to the case providing a case to band interface that supports well over 300 lbs. Gryphon will be available in 4 different dial colors with coordinating bands, and is slated to ship in early May with a suggested retail of $350.00.
