General Service Military Pocket Watch Black Dial

The MWC General Service Military Pocket Watch Black Dial is a military service pocket watch with a black dial and a mechanical/quartz hybrid movement. It is for anyone drawn to classic service pocket watches who also wants quartz accuracy. It has two subsidiary dials, for 24 hours and the date, and comes with a chain.

A service pocket watch

Military pocket watches, along with their civilian equivalents, are seeing a big rise in popularity. Historically they served on land, with airborne troops and at sea. During WW2 RAF and USAAF navigators and bomb aimers (US: Bombardier) often used them in preference to a conventional watch: it was easier to place the pocket watch on the chart, the bench or in the nose of the aircraft while working or approaching the target. The real advantage was legibility: wristwatches of the time were small, averaging just 32 mm, while a pocket watch case of close to 50 mm was far easier to read.

How the hybrid movement works

MWC makes several variants of this watch with slightly different specifications for different clients. This one has a hybrid movement combining the traits of an automatic, such as the sweep second hand, with the accuracy of quartz. A battery powers the movement through coils and a quartz oscillator, but the hands are mechanically actuated and controlled: the only thing missing is a spring. In feel and appearance it matches its mechanical sister models, with ultra-low maintenance. The hacking feature lets you synchronise it, or stop it to conserve power if it won't be used for a while. The stainless steel case is 47.5 mm across, 58 mm with the crown and 14 mm thick.

Specifications

• Brand: MWC
• Model: General Service Military Pocket Watch Black Dial
• Movement: mechanical/quartz hybrid, sweep seconds hand, hacking feature
• Case: stainless steel, Ø 47.5 mm, length with crown 58 mm, 14 mm thick, stainless steel caseback
• Dial: black, Luminova hands, two subsidiary dials (24-hour and date)
• Glass: domed glass
• Warranty: 24 months
• Other: complete with chain

Frequently asked questions

What is a mechanical/quartz hybrid movement?
It is powered by a battery and regulated by a quartz crystal, but the hands are driven mechanically: quartz accuracy with the look and feel of a mechanical watch.

Does it need winding?
No, it runs on a battery. If you won't use it for a long time, the hacking feature lets you stop it and save power.

What do the two subdials show?
One measures a 24-hour period, the other shows the date.

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