We have here a CWC 0552 Royal Navy issued military wristwatch from 1990. It is a descendant of the first G10 quartz watch that was issued to the British Armed Forces, which was produced from 1980-83. This original G10 was given the nickname 'Fat Boy' due to the 13mm thick case, which housed the ESA quartz caliber 536.121.
Our watch has the same dimensions as the 'Fat Boy', except from a reduced thickness of 10.5mm, making it a much more comfortable wear. The 35mm, brushed stainless steel case has stubby lugs, with a lug to lug length of 42mm. On the right-hand side of the case is the crown, complete with crown guards. The screw-down case back is stamped with the NATO stock number '0552/6645-99 - 5415317 - 67052 - 99' and the crow's foot Broad Arrow, signifying that the watch is property of the Crown. The '0552' indicates that the watch was issued to the Royal Navy. The last two digits on the case back identify the date of issue - this watch was issued in 1990 - so it is now considered a vintage watch. Inside the watch is the Swiss quartz caliber ETA 995.114, fully serviced by us and running strongly. We've paired the watch on a grey NATO strap as all MOD spec military watches have fixed bars, but colour options are endless with this watch.
Underneath the domed crystal sits a matte black dial. The dial has a mixture of large, lumed Arabic numerals and a lumed triangle at 12 o'clock, all inside a an outer minute-tracking ring. Just below the triangle is 'CWC' in its oval logo and a circled 'T' to indicate the use of Tritium. At 6 o'clock is 'Quartz' painted in white. Lumed hour and minute hands sit at the centre pinion, along with a long, white, central seconds hand.
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 has supplied them many thousands of watches throughout his career. In 1996, upon his retirement, he sold CWC to Silvermans Ltd who then sold CWC watches to the public. Due to the increased costs of producing watches in Switzerland, the MOD requirements of buying cheap has meant they have ceased using Silvermans.
This watch comes fully serviced by our on-site workshop and with a 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.
What we think
There is something truly amazing about wearing a military watch, never knowing what it may have seen or been through throughout its life, whose wrist it was on etc... That is what I think people are drawn to with military watches - the unknown, but the potential.
Still the best value military watches on the market today, they have been slowly creeping in value each year, especially when in good condition like this one. Also, they make fantastic gifts, especially if you can find a birth year and as they are so easy to find out the year of production it can be done with ease.
Spec Stuff
Reference : 0552/6645-99 - 5415317 - 67052 - 90
Movement : Swiss Quartz ETA 995.114 Age :1981/1990 Specific Age :1990 Case Size : 35mm Case Thickness :11mm Lug to Lug : 47mm Lugs :18mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : No Case Material :Stainless Steel Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1990 CWC 0552/6645-99 5415317 British Royal Navy Issue Quartz Wristwatch with Hacking Seconds
There is something truly amazing about wearing a military watch, never knowing what it may have seen or been through throughout its life, whose wrist it was on etc... That is what I think people are drawn to with military watches - the unknown, but the potential.
