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A CWC Cushion Cased Watch, with Military Caseback Reference, W10-5545-99 523-8290 2661/79. Issued in 1979 to a soldier in the Parachute Regiment, a well-travelled watch with serious military provenance. A real collector's piece with a story to tell. 

By the late 70s, the previous supplier of watches to the MOD, Hamilton, was struggling due to the Quartz crisis and pulled out of supplying military watches. An enterprising employee of Hamilton (Ray Mellor), recognised there was still a demand from the MoD for these watches and he established CWC (Cabot Watch Company) to meet it, and essentially pick up where Hamilton left off. Using the same components and Swiss suppliers as Hamilton, CWC began supplying pretty much the same watch as the Hamilton W10 with CWC replacing the Hamilton signature. CWC would go on to become one of the most famous suppliers of British military watches.

What’s On Offer 

Military watches are some of the most practical timepieces in existence, built to be robust, functional, and immediately legible, even in some of the world’s harshest conditions and this particular example has seen more than its fair share of military action (You can read its story over on our blog). Besides being tough as old boots, military watches are also undeniably stylish and offer a charm only a timepiece with this type of historical pedigree can offer. 

Given the life this watch has led up to press, it is in remarkable condition. From being issued in 1979 (one of the last of the mechanical movements) to a member of the Parachute Regiment, it has traveled the globe from Belize to Botswana, Arizona to Alaska, to name merely a few, all in the line of duty.

Whilst there are marks of wear to the Plexiglas on this watch (we wanted to leave it completely as it came to us), the matte black dial has remained in incredible condition with a nice lume on the hour markers which has aged to a beautiful butter colour and sharp white Arabic numerals.

The CWC signature, pheon and Tritium markings are all crisp, and the railroad minute track is clear. There are slight signs of wear (true battle scars) to the cushion case, however nothing notable and certainly nothing that takes away from the overall package offered here. The watch remains on the blue NATO strap it was supplied to us with from the original owner – the serviceman in question replaced the MoD issued strap when it became bloodstained…..the strap now found on it is the regiment colours for the SAS, which is where the watch served out its last few years of military life!

This watch really does have a story all of its own, it has weathered many a storm and survived all manner of conditions – we hope to retire it to an owner appreciative of its past. It is in full working order and wears well on the wrist, a cracking purchase for any collector or military enthusiast. (the watch will also be accompanied by a small written history as provided to us by the soldier it was issued to). 

What’s On Offer 

Additional information

Made from

Case: Stainless Steel

Dial: Black

Crystal: Plexiglass

Bracelet: NATO Strap

Technical specifications

Winding: Manual

Movement Type: Mechanical

Caliber: 2750

Jewels: 17j

Waterproof: N/A

Power reserve: 50hrs

Purchase details

Condition: Excellent (considering its active service)

Model Reference: W10

Date of issue: 1979

Guarantee: 12 Months by VWS

Dimensions

Width: 35mm

Lug width: 18.5mm

Lug height: (lug to lug) 41mm

Wrist size:  Adjustable