1983 CWC Royal Navy Divers Quartz Bakelite Bezel
Ref: 0552/6645-99-7573314
Specification
Lugs : 20.5mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold “Watch Only” and therefore comes with no CWC box or CWC paperwork. The watch comes paired with an unworn CWC 20mm NATO and a worn period-correct smaller NATO. The watch is from Circa. 1983 and is sold in worn, vintage condition, but overall very fair condition as you can see, original bakelite bezel is showing signs of age, as is the dial and hands. The watch was bought from Watches of Knightsbridge in 2021. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
The Watch
Here we have a 1983 CWC Royal Navy Divers Quartz Bakelite Bezel, since the 1950s the MOD had used Rolex, later in the 1960s changed to Omega for their dive watches but due to the increased cost of ships and Submarines in the 1970s they needed a cheaper alternative and in 1980 CWC was awarded the contract. The M.O.D. specification for this watch stated a polished case, sword minute hand, tritium dial and a luminous bezel. The 42mm stainless steel case is asymmetric in design, the curve of the case leads to fixed bars with a lug-to-lug length of 47mm and a case thickness of 10.5mm making the watch sit comfortably on your wrist. On the right side, a large screw-down crown is protected by crown guards. In 1985/86 this watch was fitted with a bakelite 60-minute insert which was a common practice at that time as it was resistant to fluctuations in temperature. A mineral glass crystal sits above a matte black dial, an outer minute track has Tritium-coated baton indexes and Arabic 3, 6 and 9 mark the hours and the sword hands are infilled with luminance complemented by an arrow point second hand. At 12 o’clock we have the CWC motif with a “T” within a circle indicating Tritium, at 6 o’clock “Quartz” completes this military tool dive watch. On the reverse a screw-down case back with The Royal Navy code, type of watch number, service number and finally, the released date engraved into it and inside a Quartz ETA 955 Swiss movement. The watch comes paired with an unworn CWC 20mm NATO and a worn period-correct smaller NATO.
Personal Note
This is a watch for the true military watch aficionados with real history and heritage with the MOD, the bakelite bezel is a true talking point and something rarely seen as they were often replaced by the MOD themselves or by collectors at later dates due to wear and potential risks. This is one to come and try on in person, book an appointment and see for yourself!
The Brand
CWC (Cabot Watch Company) was founded by Mr Ray Mellor in 1972. He was formerly the Contracts director of Hamilton Watch. He quickly secured contracts to supply the British MOD and supplied them with many thousands of watches. In1996 on Ray’s retirement he sold the company to Silvermans Ltd which sold CWC watches to the public, since that time and due to the increased costs of producing watches in Switzerland, the British MOD requirements of buying cheap have meant they have ceased using Silvermans. Inspired by the quartz version made for the Royal Marines SBS, formed at the height of WW2 The Special Boat Service is the maritime elite counter-terrorism unit of the Royal Navy.