Germany’s Ventumgear makes watch bands for the Apple Watch. Called the Operator Watch Band, they are made from nylon with a steel ring and Velcro closure and fit the Apple Watch 42/44mm.
Owner Max Shwegl tells us that he is considering expanding the watch bands to Garmin soon.
Available in a wide variety of colors and patterns from www.ventumgear.com/p/operator-watch-band.
In the US, visit ventumgear.us.
Coming soon from ARES Watch Co is a rubber watch strap.
Designed specifically for their upcoming ARES Mission Timer, this rubber strap will be available for purchase on its own to satisfy customers who already own ARES timepieces.
It features vent ribbing inside the strap for drainage & drying; integrated tips for catching the keepers; and ARES logo options on the keepers.
When I first joined the Navy, they were switching from a version of the Type l, and ll to the Timex Iron man watches. I had never seen any of the Type l and ll, (Patch’s Watson had one he always had on at the reunions) but what I do remember is walking thru the compound and seeing one of the supply people sitting out onside with a hammer breaking all the watched that looked like type l and ll so that we could get more Timex. You can’t buy new ones until the old ones are gone. I have always heard that Rolex had made a watch for the Teams. I would love to have one of those watches, knowing the history of what it has seen, and it had been a part of.
The Benrus Type l and later the Benrus Type ll was explicitly made for US Special Forces. They were mainly a dive watch, but they did make ones for land navigation, but they were also waterproof. Here are two articles that talk about watches. Some of the most iconic pictures from the early days of SEAL teams and Special Forces, you can see them wearing the watches.
Even Aldo Ray wore one in the movie The Green Berets. Why do I point that out? Well MSgt Muldoon rocks in that movies, and he was UDT in WW II. When he rips into the reporter about communist domination, that is one of the best scenes ever. I am not a fan of reporters.
huckberry.com/journal/posts/the-special-forces-watch-that-never-existed
wornandwound.com/benrus-type-i-and-type-ii-mil-w-50717-military-dive-watches
Garmin has just announced the latest in their Tactix watch line, the Delta. It is essentially a Fenix 6x Sapphire with enhanced military/tactical features, Black DLC bezel, Black PVD rear case, domed Sapphire lens, and new button design. Waterproof to 10 atmospheres.
The Tactix Delta includes the following pre-loaded features:
Dual-position GPS Formatting
Waypoint Projection
Jumpmaster
Tactical Activity
Expedition Mode
UTC/GMT Time
Wrist Heart Rate
Pulse Ox
Smart notifications
Activity tracking
Music storage w/streaming support
Garmin Pay
ClimbPro
Additionally, there’s Stealth Mode which is a quickly accessible activity mode that disables wireless communication and prevents the retainment of all position or geographically identifiable information into logged data. Along with that is a Kill Switch which instantly clears all user memory on the watch.
Navigation is via pre-loaded TOPO maps, SKI maps for over 2000 world-wide ski resorts, multi-GNSS support (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO), barometric altimeter, and compass.
Naturally, the Tactix Delta has a Night-vision compatible display. other cool features are PacePro with grade adjusted pace guidance.
Battery life seems to be improved with Garmin claiming Watch Mode: 21 Days GPS Mode: 60 hrs. The Power Manager mode will help with this. Just remember to use it.
As always, SSD readers should contact Strohman Enterprise for their Garmin purchases.
Available exclusively at SOGKnives.com the exclusive collection of four SOG MTM Watches (Hypertec, Hypertec Chrono 1, Hypertec Chrono 2 and Hypertec H-61) are American-made and have been designed based on the feedback and demands of professionals across the variety of environments and situations they are faced with around the globe.
Together, SOG and MTM are releasing a collection of timepieces that are both sophisticated and seamlessly connected to their wearer’s daily needs — a culmination of innovation and design from both companies.
The collection includes four options of Quartz Movement watches, that have been balanced for our users’ needs, each featuring an understated SOG Logo on the dial:
The Hypertec H-61 is a standout among luxury men’s watches. It features dual bezels, one inner and one outer, which can be rotated separately for multiple tracking capabilities. The Swiss movement has a 24 hour GMT indicator with a date window nestled into the dial. Classic stainless steel gives it a stylish feel.
The stylish Silver Hypertec Chrono 1C watch sports a tan dial and one easy-to-read seconds sub-dial. Like all MTM watches, the Hypertec Chrono is intricately designed and features strong and durable pieces, such as the stainless steel case, locking, double O-ring sealed crown, and scratch-resistant glass. These materials allow the watch to work deep underwater, up to 660 feet/200 meters, without missing a beat. At night, the watch’s super luminous hands glow for easy readability.
The Hypertec Chrono 2 watch for men is the perfect balance of utility and casual contemporary wear. This designer watch is classy by nature and rugged by choice, with an added sense of style to create an edge to an already pristine chronograph watch. Each Hypertec Chrono 2 watch is battery-powered with a three-year rating. With a 200-meter water resistance depth and high-grade quartz chronograph movement, the MTM Hypertec Chrono 2 is sure to surpass all of your expectations.
The Hypertec is designed to withstand the toughest elements, with a unique hybrid design, combining combat ruggedness with active lifestyle for style conscious wearers. This watch is equipped with a solid stainless steel case, is water resistant to 200 meters and has scratch-resistant, anti-reflective tempered glass and is driven by a silver oxide battery.
SOG has a history of making mission-capable knives and tools, and this extremely limited collection of timepieces maintains the company’s mantra of always being mission-capable, while remaining sophisticated and rugged for end-users’ highest demands. The watches, like SOG knives, are made to be worn every day, with the confidence they will perform wherever and whenever needed.
“Our users have been asking for more hard-use timepieces from us, and our collaboration with MTM Watches allows us to deliver another layer of purposeful gear for our users,” said Jonathan Wegner, SOG’s Vice President of Brand. “Teaming with MTM to offer the SOG x MTM Watch Collection provided us with an avenue to build a collection of multiple performance and feature combinations, each optimized to various user needs and use case scenarios, leveraging MTM’s innovative designs and styles and all built to MTM’s exceptional standards.
Updated Modern Version of the Military G10-Type NATO Strap
Prometheus Design Werx introduces their new Ti-NATO Strap. An updated and modern take on the classic military G10-Type watch strap originally introduced in 1973 by the British Ministry of Defence. The PDW version of the “NATO-Type” watch strap features titanium alloy rings and buckle which are non-magnetic and rustproof. The Ti-NATO uses a heavier duty nylon strap, which is durable, yet pliable and comfortable. These straps are perfectly suited for today’s purpose driven, mechanical movement watches. Use them on land or underwater. The PDW Ti-NATO Straps will be available in 20mm and 22mm widths, and Black and OD Green straps colors.
The Ti-NATO Strap from Prometheus Design Werx will introduce new colors in the near future, and possibly new widths according to customer requests and as they are developed.
The Design and R&D Team at PDW states:
“The initial impetus to create these was out of a need to accommodate some of our DOD customers. We’re known for our watchband compass kits and since they are designed to be used with NATO-Type straps we became aware that the stainless steel rings and buckles on most of the ones available on the market were easily magnetized when exposed to all the trendy rare earth magnets found in today’s EDC products. We’ve never been huge fans of rare earth magnets used in EDC goods, but they are out there. Firstly anyone with a good mechanical movement watch knows that magnets are not a mechanical watch’s friend. Secondly, if you use a strap-worn supporting compass, any magnetic fields will throw off your accuracy. By using titanium hardware in our strap we’ve eliminated this from even being a possibility. Our titanium rings are more robust than the typical stamped stainless type and not as bulky as the ZULU type. It’s a good sweet spot. Our nylon straps are custom woven and again, we feel a great sweet spot for thickness, durability while remaining comfortable for all day wear. On land or under the sea our Ti-NATO straps are perfect companions for your favorite watch.”
The new PDW Ti-NATO Strap will be available for $36.00 on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 12:00 noon PT via their website, prometheusdesignwerx.com.
Nixon hails the release of a TAA compliant timepiece only available to U.S. Military and Law Enforcement Agencies.
Encinitas, CA—Nixon proudly announces the introduction of The Nixon MK-1, an element-proof, dual chronograph digital watch. This timepiece is durable enough to withstand the harshest demands and is uniquely designed for those seeking a quintessential watch that provides basic operational necessity without fail.
Hailing out of Southern California, with their past firmly rooted in the action sports industry, Nixon has been bringing its attention to detail and unique design language to everything from high function tide to stylized analog watches for over twenty years. The MK-1 comes as part of a family of purpose-built digitals that are all requirement, no excess.
MILITARY COLLABORATION
Reflecting the brand’s Team Designed, Custom Built ethos, Nixon developed The MK-1 over the course of several years through input from various military units including Special Operations. The result: a minimalistic, high function digital watch that can stand-up to the harshest dryland, and high-altitude conditions.
UNDERWATER DURABILITY
The custom digital LCD module boasts a 10 ATM (100 meter) water-resistance rating and features protective PORON that lends to tough shock absorption and sturdiness. An oversized display and adjustable LED backlight provide clear visibility in dark and underwater settings, and the large pushers makes for easy use with dive gloves. Dual independently controlled chronographs have been incorporated for use with Underwater Navigation Boards.
STEALTH
The MK-1 can easily be put on silent mode, and is equipped with a five-year battery life, dual chronographs visible from all mode screens, with a 1/100-second resolution to provide precision timing. Large, water-resistant polycarbonate pushers located at 6 and 9 o’clock allow for easy control maritime operations and reduce the risk of accidental actuation.
In addition, the watch was designed to be compatible with aftermarket NATO straps and the packaging has been minimalized to reduce shelf space in Supply Rooms and CIF’s.
FEATURES
• Custom injection molded TPU 80 free-swing band.
• The 24mm band features a ribbed pattern on the inside to aid with water flow, patented locking looper, and a stainless steel buckle with stainless steel screw bar.
• 100 METER / 10 ATM water rating, 5-year battery life, and shock-absorbent materials withstand any terrain and condition with protective PORON.
• 46mm, 100 meter/10 ATM custom injection molded Polyarylate case, with polycarbonate pushers located at 6 and 9 o’clock, hardened mineral crystal, Polyarylate bezel, solid stainless steel screw on case back.
• Custom high contrast LCD with dual chronographs visible from all mode screens, with a 1/100-second resolution.
For more information, contact: www.nixon.com/us/en/mk1
The latest model from Ares Watch Co is the DIVER-1B. It goes on Pre-order today.
The ARES DIVER-1B is the black PVD version of the respected American Made hard-use mission-timer tool watch, created in limited numbers, and proudly made in the USA with global materials.
Each individually serialized DIVER-1 is guaranteed for life and is created, assembled, tested, certified, and serviced by hand in Seattle.
The DIVER-1 has undergone over 20,000 hours of hard-use, mission-driven, operational test & evaluation around the world.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Case, Caseback, Crown & Bezel
• 41.0mm 316L stainless steel, with black PVD coating, two piece case with individually serialized, engraved, screwback construction
• 42.0mm 316L stainless steel PVD bezel, featuring countdown timer with C3 Superluminova, clear coat finish, aggressive ‘no slip’ teeth, and 120-click uni-directional countdown mission timer
• 49.5mm lug to lug 22mm drilled lugs with 1.8mm shoulderless spring bars, supplied with a 3-ring and 5-ring LASH nylon strap
• 10 o’clock PVD ‘fat head’ 7.2mm logo’d screw down crown, featuring aggressive ‘no slip’ teeth and double Viton seals
• Individually tested and certified, fully assembled, to 40ATM
Movement, Crystal, Dial & Hands
• Ronda 715Li 5-jewel / gold plated analog quartz movement with EOL indicator
• 10 year standard battery life utilizing No. CR2016 3V lithium-ion battery
• Brass dial with C3 printed hour indicators, painted minute indices and logo
• Flat sapphire crystal with inner AR coating
• Brushed stainless C3 hands, with Mission Red second hand
• Anti-magnetic rating 18.8Oe, shock resistant to NIHS-91-10 standards, and thermo-compensated -0 to 50+ C
Supplied with (1) black and (1) OD green LASH nylon straps with PVD hardware
The watch will deliver AUGUST 2019.
*Gift orders will be supplied with a gift card.
Pre-order your at areswatches.com/shop.
