MWC NATO Pattern Covert PVD Hybrid Military Pilots Chronograph

The MWC PVD NATO chronograph is a Limited Edition model which is based on the same specification used by several other manufacturers of NATO quartz chronographs but with a number of detail improvements to improve operation and visibility. Although the watch is made to a specification which is specifically designed to meet the needs of military aircrews it is also ideal for both airline and GA pilots.The actual case size is 45.5mm and the chronograph uses a VK64 Meca-Quartz movement which is used by a high percentage of current superior quality quartz watches.
 
The Meca-quartz is a hybrid movement which combines technologies found in both quartz and mechanical movements benefiting from the advantages of each. The timekeeping mechanism is essentially quartz and has a quartz crystal regulator powered by a battery and connected to a series of gears to move the timekeeping hands.
 
As regards the chronograph timing functions, the center second hand starts moving as with any chronograph when you press the pusher. The difference with the Hybrid models is that you will see that it moves like a mechanical chronograph rather than ticking in one-second intervals like a quartz watch and moves five times a second so when in use behaves like a mechanical watch.

It's when you reset the watch that the big difference with a hybrid of this type becomes apparent because during reset the chronograph hands are disengaged from the quartz module and snapped back to zero as with a mechanical model. This means you don't get the sweep back to zero that is normally typical with conventional quartz chronographs so the end result is a great compromise between quartz timekeeping with the plus that it looks and feels very much like a mechanical chronograph.
One final quirk is there is no tick which many people find baffling and even here at MWC we would be unable to determine if this was a quartz or mechanical watch if we din't know the movement that was inside but everyone here agreed we would assume that it was mechanical based on its behaviour so this really is the best of the two technologies and a unique timepiece.
 
Case Diameter: 44mm exc crown and 45.5mm inc crown
Lug to Lug 49mm
Thickness: 13.5mm
Dial Colour: black 
Case Material: 316L PVD steel
Caseback: 316L stainless steel
Water Resistance: 5atm (50m or 165ft)
Glass: Hardened Mineral Glass
Strap: 22mm NATO (NATO Nylon Webbing Strap)
Illumination - Super Luminova for maximum nightime performance
Movement: VK64 Meca-quartz
Battery: Silver Oxide SR936SW
Battery Life: Approx. 3 years
100% assembled in Swiss or Germany
Supplied with factory 2 years warranty card