SBS-87 re-issue

CWC British Issue Military Watch Strap

Excellent value and great strap will buy more

So I’ve had more watches from more manufacturers than I can count, from mid to high end stuff, so I’m fairly clued up now I hope!

The buying experience from cwc/silvermans was faultless and they were very helpful.

The design
Absolutely unique design, the monnin case is lovely in person, the finishing is functional, practical, but very well executed. All the lines are flowing and the edges are very well finished.
It looks like what it is, a tool watch. I’ve seen so many dive watches with shiny shiny cases and sunburst dials, they look like jewellery. Which is fine if you WANT that, but the cwc also looks stylish. Very rugged, but stylish.

The dial
Very clear, highly legible, superb AR coating on the sapphire (don’t underestimate how important this can be!), hands align perfectly, print is clear, very easy to read in awkward conditions. Lume is excellent, lasts all night and readable in the morning to dark adapted eyes, but glows like crazy at first.

Bezel
Very utilitarian, solid 120 clicks, everything lines up perfectly.

Fixed bars
Solid, I’m a big fan of fixed bars anyway though. Hardly any risk of loss, and the nato strap puts no problematic stress on spring bars.

Strap
Cwc make the best nato in my opinion. It’s the most comfortable, rugged, smooth on the wrist but tough. Little features like no rough edges on the side that touches your wrist, so many manufacturers sew their straps and leave a sharp edge in the skin side, cwc don’t. Can’t go wrong really. Holds the watch steady because it’s firmer than a lot of other brands but more comfy as a result. Colour is good, I prefer the darker shade of grey of the phoenix strap, but they look tatty quick and the cwc holds onto its looks for absolutely yonks.

Movement
Here’s the one that divides people. To me, the more budget friendly movement is perfectly good, timekeeping is excellent all round, no slop in the gear train and the stem and crown are fitted very very well. I mean, you COULD get a seiko for twice this cost with what is in effect a tarted up 4r movement made by a machine…. So….. the ronda movement is known for reliability and good performance under stress. Plus it’s easy to repair or swap if needed, so depends how you look at it. I had a breitling aerospece with a thermocompensated movement that was way out of spec regarding accuracy, I had an omega quartz which failed me twice, and I’ve had g shocks and casios that just wouldn’t die. Go figure.

One thing I noticed is that the movement feels very smooth and precise, better than I expected. But it is what it is.

History
If you’re looking here you already know lol. It’s just cool.

Price
Yeah maaaaaybe on the high side, but honestly not by much. If you compare to a seiko solar diver there is just something missing from that design, hard to pin it down, but the cwc just looks and feels right. I’ve had the citizen bn0150 (awesome watch by the way) which was brilliant, but again, didn’t have that wow factor. Hard to describe, you’ll either understand what I mean or you won’t I guess! Mwc make a copy of this watch and my mate had one. Apart from the hand falling off one day it just didn’t look the same, it’s similar, but different enough to be noticeable especially the case shape which isn’t the same. This is starting to sound like an advert for the cwc. It kind of is.

Before I bought it, I went through all the thoughts of- I could try an mwc, I could get a citizen for 200 quid, I could use a g shock (I need a tool watch) it’s only a simple Swiss movement, it’s expensive etc. BUT…. Now I’ve got it, you couldn’t take it off me lol. I absolutely love it. There are plenty of watches out there with more for less but they just don’t look or feel the same.

I’ve always favoured automatics, I love the horology side, but quartz is just so practical for a tool watch. It’s great not having to reset every few days.

I’m fussy with watches, I use them all the time (badum tish) and this has absolutely exceeded my expectations.

Not sure what else to say, it’s a good watch.

Great watch, keeps great time.

Excellent addition to my CWC RN81, my new favourite daily now. Really comfy on the wrist.

When CWC brought out the new G40 range, I couldn't decide whether to buy the black dial or the Sonar version. So I solved that dilemma by buying both. Very pleased I did, as they both get plenty of wrist time, along with my GS Sapphire Sub Hunter.

This is my third CWC quartz diver — after the SBS and the RN, here comes the 1983. What a stunning watch! It just radiates quality. These days, my automatics hardly ever see the light of day. The workmanship is outstanding, the lume is spot on and lasts all night. Forget the knockoffs and go for the real deal: CWC.

iconic. beautiful. accurate. i love this watch.

He tenido siempre una grata experiencia con CWC, el reloj es perfecto, la calidad de construcción, precisión, detalle, herramienta muy confiable y de altísima resistencia y durabilidad. Lo disfruto cada día que va en mi muñeca permanentemente. El servicio, la respuesta y comunicación con CWC es inmejorable.

I'm the lucky owner of three CWC watches: a GS Sapphire, a Falcon Chronograph and now the Sea Falcon which marries the qualities sof the other two. It's waterproof, so I can use it for all the watersports I do, it's a chronograph so I can time my eggs, coffee and laundry, it's very handsome and robust and mine has the GMT bezel making it easy to see the time at home when I'm overseas so I don't call my family at inappropriate hours.
I've fitted a vintage canvas strap which I think looks gorgeous and retains the military air but is much easier to do up than the standard Nato straps - especially when groggily half awake - as they stiffen & behave like normal watchstraps. It's also extremely comfortable; I like the double pass verion as it raises the watch up from my wrist so when my hand is bent back the crown doesn't dig into my skin.
Overall this is my new favourite thing; the Sapphire is probably less vulnerable with no moving parts and the Falcon Chrono is prettier with the domed lens but for now, this is my watch of choice.

Love this watch, the 18mm strap is perfect because the dial is small but so crystal clear and a pleasure to look at.

A fantastic fresh take on a CWC military. The dial is out standing! Love the screw down crown and case back plus the long life battery. Has the usual look and feel of a quality sturdy work watch. Well done

The folks at CWC are great to deal with, and the quality of the watch for the money is very good. It's the perfect quartz grab and go for the beach or the pool, with some legitimate military heritage. Makes a great secondary travel watch

Great looking tool watch, I've added the bond NTTD strap which I think compliments the vintage look on the dial