CWC Watches

CWC Watches

CWC is mil-spec in its purest form — no fluff, no frills, just rugged mechanical (and quartz) watches made for the British Armed Forces for over 40 years.

If you want the real-deal field, diver, or pilot watch — the kind worn by actual soldiers, not stylized after them — CWC is it. And they’ve been doing it since the Cold War.

A Little History

Cabot Watch Company was founded in 1972 by Ray Mellor, a former Hamilton UK executive, after Hamilton exited the UK market. The Ministry of Defence needed new contractors

for military wristwatches — and CWC stepped up.

Over the following decades, CWC supplied tens of thousands of watches to the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Marines, RAF, and Special Forces, often adhering

to strict Ministry of Defence (MoD) specs.

Their catalog includes manual-wind field watches, automatic divers, chronographs, and quartz models, all designed for duty — not fashion.

And here’s the kicker: CWC still builds many of those watches to the exact same specs today — which is why they’ve developed a cult following among military watch collectors

tool-watch enthusiasts, and guys who just want something that works.

What Collectors Love

CWC isn’t about luxury. It’s about legitimacy.

Collectors chase both vintage-issued models and current-production reissues built to original specs.

Key models include:

  • G10 Quartz — the classic British Army field watch: 36–38mm, fixed bars, battery-powered

  • 1970s/80s Manual Wind W10s — tritium dials, tonneau cases, mechanical movements

  • RN Diver (Auto and Quartz) — 200–300m WR, issued to Royal Navy divers

  • SBS Diver — blacked-out, fixed bars, automatic or quartz — issued to UK Special Boat Service

  • Mellor-72 — manual-wind reissue of the early ‘70s mechanical W10, named after the founder

  • Chronograph models — RAF-style two-pusher chronos with 12-hour or 60-minute totalizers

Expect:

  • Swiss ETA or Sellita movements

  • Fixed spring bars for strap security

  • Matte dials with military-spec numerals

  • Cases with broad arrow markings (especially vintage-issued pieces)

Why CWC Deserves a Spot

Because it’s one of the only brands that’s actually been there — not just made watches that look like they have.

CWC watches were — and in some cases still are — standard issue for British troops. They’re part of military history, with real battlefield provenance, not marketing copy.

And even the reissues are made with the same level of spec discipline and no-nonsense design.

Plus, they wear great. 36–40mm, slim profiles, reliable movements, and zero logo clutter. Just purpose on the wrist.

What’s Out There Now

CWC makes both vintage-issue watches (collectible) and current-production models (wearable, serviceable, and tough):

  • Vintage W10 / G10 / RN Diver models — manual wind or quartz, with fixed bars and tritium dials

  • Modern Mellor-72 / T20 Field — ETA or Sellita-powered mechanicals

  • SBS Auto / Quartz Divers — 300m WR, matte black, date or no-date

  • Chronographs — current models use quartz; older ones were Valjoux-powered mechanicals

Pricing ranges from:

  • $200–$600 for vintage G10s

  • $800–$1,200 for new mechanicals or SBS Quartz

  • $1,500+ for issued RN Divers or limited auto chronos

  • Higher for rare issued pieces with provenance or box/papers

Fed’s Take

CWC is pure function, zero flash — and I love that.

I’ve worn a Mellor-72, handled plenty of G10s, and sold a few RN Divers. They’re honest watches. They feel good on the wrist, they’re tough as hell, and they’ve got history

most brands only dream of.

If you’re into tool watches with real military backbone — not just field watch cosplay — CWC should absolutely be in your rotation.

Check Out Our CWC Inventory

Delray Watch is always on the lookout for unique CWC watches — especially SBS Divers, Mellor-72 reissues, and vintage issued G10s and W10s with provenance.

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