1999-2001 Pattern Black PVD Automatic

They utilise a Miyota 8315 movement

These watches are closely based on a case design by the famous Swiss case making firm MRP S.A, other than a few minor updates the case is much the same as in the late 1970s, MRP was named after its founders M archand, R oth and P etignat, it was founded in 1953 and bought by Georges Hauert in 1979.

It'-s interesting that very few people realise how historically significant this case pattern is nor how well it has stood the test of time having been in continuous production for over 40 years.

The PVD finish is often specified in military contracts for many special forces units, as well as by counter-terrorism units and for various covert operations. In the PVD process, the steel is not completely black because the color is created by a special PVD chemical plating process that is far superior to the painted finish used on some lower quality watches that can easily fade or rub off. This PVD process means that the color of the steel is altered at a molecular level, so it will not deteriorate even during heavy use, although it can be destroyed if the case is severely damaged by a piece of metal or if the case is worn down by abrasion very heavy against rocks or something similar.

The basic design of these MWC watches goes back to the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) specification shown in the final two images.