The CWC Tactical Diver project

Dear readers,

I’m so excited and honored to announce that the Cabot Watch Company have offered me to do a limited run of dive watches. There is no secret that I truly love CWC so the fact that this project is happening is really a big deal for me. I will give you a more thorough review regarding the design and the all the details  when the watch later will be presented here on the blog but basically what I have done is to compile all my favorite attributes and put them into the one watch I love the most; the CWC RN Quartz Diver. Only 20 watches will be manufactured so this limited edition will be quite unusual.

The CWC Limited Edition Tactical Diver prototype with T-dial. The final product will have a L-dial with Superluminova.

Since I announced this project on Instagram just a few days ago, more than half of the watches have already been booked by CWC fans who were so eager to show their interest even though I officially hadn’t gone out and communicated that I was accepting pre-orders. So if you want one just send me an e-mail or drop me a DM on Instagram. The watches are expected to arrive in January 2018. 

Specifications:

• My favorite case design from CWC’s classic RN Diver. The classic Monnin case has really become my favorite of all dive watch designs.
• Destro-version with the crown at 9 O’clock. To ease the back of your wrist from the crown.
• Bead blasted steel case. For a more tactical feel.
• PVD details such as the bezel and crown. For an even more tactical feel.
• My favorite dial design. Legible, classic and clean.
• Nodate. I know, sometimes I hate not having a date but it gives a much cleaner look.
• L-dial with lots of C3 Superluminova. Makes most sense on a modern dive watch.
• Screw down crown and case back. A deal breaker without those two features.
• 300m water resistance. Suitable for everyday activities such as underwater mine clearance or wreck diving.
• 60-click bezel. Keeping it old school. I simply prefer the feeling of a 60-click.
• ETA 955.122 quartz movement with EOL indicator. Reliable and always good to go.
• Fixed spring bars. The sign of a true tool watch!
• Mineral crystal. I love the look it gets after a while from being used. It feels alive.
• Limited to 20pcs. Each individually numbered.
• Price: To be confirmed (it’s going to be reasonable). 

This project have almost made me lose interest in other watches. This watch will really have all the features that I desire the most. Wearing the prototype just confirms that to me every day. It is just awesome! The specs are pretty much finalized but there might be room for some minor changes. I will be updating this post with any confirmed changes and keep checking back and keep an eye out on Instagram for more pictures and any new announcements. 

© All pictures by a Watch Flipper's Diary unless noted.

No 235 - CWC Quartz Diver Day/Date

We’ve reached the most important point in my life which is followed by the most important watch I have in my collection so far. During the years I’ve become a huge sucker for watches from my year of birth and it’s something that I’m constantly on the lookout for. To me it’s something special to have a timepiece on your wrist that I know have been ticking for just as long as I have been drawing breath. It’s like you’re on the same level somehow. Like a lifelong companion that won’t let you down as long as you look after it. 

My first concern back in the winter of 2013 when my wife announced that she was pregnant was which watch to buy for our firstborn. I had of course gone through this matter in my mind many times before so I already had a couple of options to evaluate. I figured there was two different ways to go. I could either go with something that represented the year of 2014, like a new release from that year, or I could go with something classic that could have been bought whenever. I came to the conclusion that what mattered to me the most was that the date printed on the certificate and receipt was going to match the date of birth. My decision finally fell on a CWC quartz diver with day and date display. I figured it had a classic look and was built to last. To me it’s a watch that can be used anywhere and for anything. CWC also happens to be one of my favorite brands which of course also played a big part in my decision making.

In early 2014 I called up Silverman’s in London, UK, to see how we could arrange this. I got to talk to a gentleman by the name Richard and I explained to him the matter of how I wanted to buy the watch but not until my baby was born to make sure all paperwork was going to be made out on the actual date of birth. “No problem” Richard told me “I’ll just lay it away”. I clarified that the baby wasn’t due until August and that it would take a while. “Don’t worry” he said “We'll hold the watch for you. Just call me when it’s time and I’ll take care of all the details”.

My son was born 2:53 am (a great hand position btw!) to a Saturday morning in August 2014. I was wearing a Rolex Datejust 16233 when I got to hold him in my arms for the first time but that's another story. When we later woke up after getting a couple of well-earned hours of sleep I got on the phone and called up Richard. “Congratulations!” he said “I’ll put the name and the date of birth of the certificate and will ship it out ASAP”.  Talk about customer service!

#235 - The CWC Quartz Diver Day/Date on the wrist of a very proud dad.

I've literally taken hundreds of pictures when wearing this watch so I had plenty to choose from. Below follows only a few from different moments were it have accompanied me. 

Two new jackets that went well with the watch.

I would estimate that 90% of all my watch pictures are taken while commuting to work. Either on the bus, the subway, the train or while waiting for any of the three. Given photo opportunities!

Waiting for the bus. A classic!

Fooling around with the copy machine at the office.

I probably don’t have to mention that this is one of my few keepers but perhaps it’s best for the record to confirm that this watch will never be sold. I haven’t really decided when I’m going to give it to my son but he will of course get it someday. Meanwhile I’m using it every now and then, not afraid of giving it a few battle scars so that he in the future always can carry some memories of his dad with him wherever he goes. I mainly wear it when I go fishing but I also wear it every now and then just because I love it so much. It really is a fantastic watch.

At the playground.

In bed at night.

The first picture I took with my new iPhone 5S.

On the subway on my way to the office.

Having my second child coming up in a very near future you might think I’ve already planned what watch I will get for him or her this time but I actually have no clue. I have of course considered sticking with the CWC theme but unfortunately they have no dive watches with the T-dial left and I’m a little allergic towards the new L-dial. I’ve been thinking about getting a Seiko and perhaps go with the other option this time and buy something that will represent 2017. I recently saw that there will be a pretty cool re-issue of the old Samurai being released in February/March and might go for that one. We’ll see. You’re going to find out eventually.

Gave it a try. Didn't like it.

A little daylight lume.

According to my Instagram I was listening to Huey Lewis & the News when I took this picture. Great stuff!

Pike fishing in October 2016.

Yet another picture taken on my way to the office.

If you haven’t started to look for watches from your birth year yet but think it sounds like a fun thing to try I would recommend you to start with Seiko. The year (and even month) they were built in is super easy to identify thanks to the logical structure of the serial number and if you are lucky you might even manage to pinpoint them both. I'm still struggling to do just that and it has really become a challenge.

On my way to a wedding in Katarina Kyrka, Stockholm, Sweden. The CWC made it on to the wrist and worked just fine for a dressed up occasion.

© All pictures by a Watch Flipper's Diary unless noted.

No 107, 195, 276, 347, 358 & 360 - CWC RN Quartz Diver

One of my favorites. The Royal Navy quartz diver without date or day. A solid beater. Legible and clean. Based on the legendary Monnin-style case which has become one of the most well-known cases for vintage dive watches. This is basically all you need for no money at all. I’ve had three of this model so far and I know there will be more. I sold the latest one just a couple of days ago. I could never pass on one of these if they would pop up to a good price. I must have some deep rooted instinct that just makes me say “I’ll take it!” even if I don’t need it. I can’t remember if any of the two first I had were issued. The last one I owned wasn’t. All have been complete with its tin can case and have all been originally sold by Silvermans. I have split feelings about the fixed spring bars. I do find them cool and genuine but at the same time I hate it how they make the watch being unable to be fitted with regular two-piece rubber straps. I used to be a big fan of Nato straps but not anymore and it bothers me that I can’t fit them with my favorite Bonetto rubbers. I have a future project that would involve chopping them off and then drill lug-holes all the way through and then have Rolex-type spring bars fitted. That would be killer! Let me get back to you on that someday.

#107 - My first CWC Royal Navy Quartz Diver.

#195 - Number two was mostly worn on the "Gucci" nato. You could tell from the lume that this was a newer one. A really cool fun fact about this watch is that I bought it from a U.S. Coast Guard and I was given some pictures of it while it was being used in action.

#276 - The third one which was recently sold. A little beat up but with very nice patina and an overall good condition. Probably older than the other two.

I couldn't find any pictures of me wearing any of them but I remember I wore the first one at a concert with Entombed at Göta Källare in Stockholm 2011. I figured I could use a watch that could take a beating in the mosh pit. Anyhow, if you haven’t had one of those go out there and get one. Preferably one with a T-marked dial which are a little cooler according to me. 



UPDATE - October 10th 2017.

What did I tell you? That there would be more of this one, that's right! The CWC RN Diver's have really become my favorite watches. The fourth one came to me very unexpectedly. I had had a WTB out looking for one for quite some time without any response but then one day in February 2017 I finally got a reply. It was one of those from the batch with the T-marked luminova dials issued in 2012. This one together with watch #335 was used to create the SBS nodate. When it later was restored to its original state it was used to create the prototype for an upcoming project I'm running together with CWC called The Tactical Diver which there will be plenty more about in the near future.

#347 - The fourth RN Quartz Diver.

Out walking with my kids in September 2017. Crown hidden underneath the raincoat. Wait! What?

In May 2017 I came across an almost brand new MK1 L-dial to a really good price. I had been a little reluctant towards the L-dials in the past but have completely changed my mind regarding that now. This one was used pretty much during the summer of -17 and I mostly wore it on the MN nato from NDC straps which I think made a terrific combo.

#358 - The MK1 L-dial made in 2014.

Water- and bubble proof.

The L-dial to the top left. The modified #347 at the bottom and the original Day/Date #235 to the right.

Breakfast and trainspotting with my oldest son on an early morning in June 2017.

Loved that strap on this particular watch.

My sixth and last nodate diver was a non-issued T-dial sold in 2009. It had a lot of patina and possessed a whole lot of soul. A fantastic watch that probably should have been kept. 

#360 - Sixth and last. Properly worn and with some tritium missing on the minute hand.

An awesome watch with an awesome view.

From top to bottom: Nodate #358, #347, #360 and Day/Date #235.

© All pictures by a Watch Flipper's Diary unless noted.

No 54 - CWC RN Automatic Diver

I found this beauty for sale in October 2010. It had recently gone through a service so the interior was in top condition while the exterior showed some signs of being worn for some time. I received it without any box or papers and I never took a picture of the case back so I don’t know how old it actually was. I’m not sure if it had a tritium dial but the surface of the markings didn’t look as smooth as luminova usually do and also they were fading towards yellow. I can’t believe I lost money on this watch. I bought it cheap but apparently sold it even cheaper. I can’t remember for what reason but for being a newly serviced watch with the old T-marking dial (and perhaps also with a tritium dial) it must have been one of those recurring stupid deals that have taken place every now and then during the journey.

#54 – The Royal Navy automatic diver from Cabot Watch Company.

I’ve only had one automatic CWC diver. When it comes to the different quartz models I think I have had at least six of them. I love the design of the watch but I can’t see it as an everyday wearer and therefore think it’s more comfortable to have a quartz lying around. I really want to encourage people to buy the CWC’s instead of all crappy knock offs out there on eBay. We’re not talking about any huge savings to make on the cheapies. Just chip in a couple of extra dollars and you’ll get a used CWC instead. You won't regret it!


UPDATE - January 11th 2017.

Wow! I can't believe this one came back to me. To my great luck the owner I sold it to back in 2010/2011 had kept it all this time and when I threw a vintage Breitling his way that I suspected he might be interested in he accepted to give it back to me in a trade. I've really missed this watch. It's not until now that I've truly started to understand and appreciate it. At the moment I have no plans at all to get rid of this watch. I also got to learn that it was issued in 2002 which was something I didn't bother to look up the first time I had it.

The automatic diver back in the collection! Here seen together with its two quartz brothers.

I just love the vintage look it has developed throughout the years.

Out for a walk on Christmas Eve.

© All pictures by a Watch Flipper's Diary unless noted.