SKU Code: CH/500M/PVD/BL
The MWC 500m Water-Resistant Divers Watch with Helium Escape Valve is part of MWC's elite range, offering superior durability and functionality for professional divers and challenging environments. This model, finished in covert non-reflective PVD steel, features an impact-resistant sapphire crystal and a scratch-resistant ceramic bezel. It is suitable for all settings, from office environments to extreme outdoor activities.
The movement is a high-quality 25-jewel Swiss Ronda R150 automatic with a hacking function for synchronization and a 40-hour power reserve.
The special matte black non-reflective PVD finish is often specified in procurement contracts for military and anti-terrorist units. This PVD process alters the steel's color at a molecular level, making it vastly superior to painted finishes that can fade or rub off. The PVD finish ensures the watch remains durable even under heavy usage, although it can be damaged by severe impacts or continuous abrasion.
Helium Escape Valve: Helium can penetrate a dive watch due to its small molecular size, even when the seals are intact. Saturation divers, who spend extended periods at great depths, may experience helium buildup inside the watch, creating internal pressure that can blow out the crystal or crown when unscrewed. The helium escape valve allows helium to escape during decompression, preventing damage.
Why Helium is Used: Helium is used in deep-sea diving because it does not have the negative effects that nitrogen does, such as nitrogen narcosis. It is used to replace nitrogen in most deep-sea mixed gas diving applications.
Usage: While most divers won't live in pressurized environments for extended periods, the helium valve is essential for deep dive watches like our 500M range to ensure the watch remains fit for purpose.
Dimensions and Specifications:
- Movement: 25 Jewel Swiss RONDA R150 Automatic with hacking function
- Water Resistance: 500m / 1640ft
- Helium Escape Valve
- Crown: Screw Down Locking
- Width: 44mm
- Thickness: 13.4mm
- Crystal Type: Shatter and Scratch Resistant Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Coating
- Lug to Lug: 52mm
- Case: 316L Black PVD Steel
- Bezel: 120-click unidirectional with ceramic insert
- Illumination: Swiss Super Luminova on markers and hands
- Bracelet: Black PVD Bracelet tapering from 22mm at the watch head to 20mm
Benefits of Sapphire Crystal: Synthetic sapphire is the best material for watch crystals due to its strength and resistance to shattering and scratching. This makes it highly appealing to military and security personnel, police officers, and those with active outdoor lifestyles. Over 70% of our customers belong to these groups. While hardened mineral crystals are more durable than regular glass, they still don't match the durability of sapphire under adverse conditions. Sapphire crystals are heat-treated to remove internal stresses, making them even stronger. Interestingly, sapphire crystal is now used on the latest iPhones. Although more expensive, sapphire crystal is typically found on higher-end watches for these reasons.
