I really can't say enough good things about CWC. I have the no-date SBS destro, as well as a black and white dial GS Sapphire. All three are bulletproof, no-muss, no-fuss tools. After dealing primarily with 38-hr power reserve automatics, I've started to prefer quartz and CWC does it well. As a company, I just love how CWC operate. They know who they are and don't pretend to be anything else. I had a movement issue one time and they went above and beyond to fix the issue. I'm a lifetime customer. If you haven't tried them, you should.
they fixed a problem for me and gratis, i sent them an email while watch was covered but couldnt get back to send it in until a year after my warranty ended and they sorted the problem free of charge and gave me a new strap to boot. Im not supposed to talk about it lol but hey respect
SBS model is still back0-ordered, so I scratched the itch with the 1983 Reissue and am absolutely thrilled with it. What impresses me most is how perfectly everything lines up. The bezel is perfectly lined up with the minute markings, as is the second hand, which is often a problem in quartz watches. It was expensive for a quartz watch, but in the metal it does not seem overpriced.
my 2008 CWC SBS is my "goto" diver - one i actually dive with. Bullet proof and never let me down....i own many brands of diver, but the CWC is my first choice to wear diving EVERYTIME.
Great review. Just got mine today and already absolutely love it. I used to be in the Royal Marine cadets at school and although I knee pursued that career, I always had huge respect for the Marines and the rock star unit, the SBS! This watch gives me a little taste of that life fantasy.
Oh I just love all the rugged toolness of this blacked out fixed lugs runs for 6yrs reliable beater watch. And it looks sooooo good on those nato straps
I have had my stainless RN diver since 1999 - it’s been faultless. I’ve worn it everywhere, I haven’t mollycoddled it and it’s been a beast. It’s good looking, it’s rugged and I love it.
I don’t think many Tennis coaches, or any other watch reviewers for that matter, have your profoundly astute grasp of how to market themselves on RU-vid! I absolutely love your videos: very original and well put together. Love it! 👍😁
I don't own the 'SBS' diver but I've been super happy with my 1983 Quartz re-issue with Tritium, love having a watch linked with the British military. Bought mine to celebrate the beginning of my journey to become a paramedic.
Awesome show as always MWC! So much to love about CWC in general and this SBS Diver! Great bit of detail regarding why it has a day/date complication! I’d always wondered why a military spec watch needed a day/date. Kind of makes this reissue even more special in the CWC line up. I really do need to get a CWC in my collection at some point. Awesome stuff 👏👏👏👏
Being in the US navy I’ll tell you why I deploy with day/date complication: underway we work 7 days a week and I continually forget what day of the week it is. Makes sense SBS required it.
Absolutely love CWC and the MWC channel. I had so many G10s back in the early 2000s when they were £65 from Anchor Supplies. Love this diver, but waaaay too expensive. Keep up the good work old chap! 🇬🇧
I bought a G10 a couple of years ago, when I wear it , it brings back memories of my time in the army ! Changed the grey NATO for a black one and fitted a black snap on bump case , the extra couple of mm the case gives, makes the watch sit better on my 8 inch wrist !
I just got my first CWC watch the G22 (automatic) I’m about to purchase the MELLOR 72 and their pocket watch. My goodness why is this brand not getting noticed more, they are such a great value and amazing brand, the more I dig into their history the more I love them! Thanks for your crazy reviews!!!!
Great video. In ordered my first CWC yesterday, the G22 automatic (no date), as I felt it was a modern interpretation of the G10. Looking forward to receiving it, slightly nervous it'll be a bit small for my 7.3" wrist, but hey ho, give it a go. Am about to order the SBS Dive, as your review won me over, and I'm waiting to see if CWC have any of the orange straps with a black buckle. Fingers crossed!
Agree with your review. At CWC: Malcolm Richard and Rachel have always looked after me. And you can get something off if you're past or currently serving. Elliot Brown (EB) also give 20 % off for current serving and for proof of past serving too. While CWC are Swiss assembled, EB are assembled from Chinese parts and have their own5 lobed screw in bars. If I had to choose, I would go with CWC as they are readily available while, outside the SBS, EB are worn by crap hats, walts and bloaters. Great review and you want to get your mate Spencer Drier to stock them.
I love having a day date complication and always wanted to add a great quartz dive watch with a day date to my collection and this would be the perfect, ideal watch for that. The battery life, the lume, the CWC awesomeness, the perfect watch! 👏🔥 Their straps are amazing as well and it would be a really fun watch to have. The only issue is that it's still a bit pricey for me so it will have to wait still. 😅 But I will get it, eventually. 💪
Great looking watch, I was issued a G10 in the RAF and was gutted having to return it when I left. I'll definitely get another at some point. This one does look a lot cooler though I must say.
@@juniorjohnson5961 might be wrong...but certain items were signed for 'Stared' items.... If 'lost' ones arse was on the line!....you would pay big time c/w a court of enquiry I recall...not much of anything 'walked'...long time ago...pls forgive if incorrect.
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR I would have but you hand in your items in your last week, anything missing is taken from your final wage. Iirc it was about £450 you had to pay for a "missing watch" cost price plus a %
Love CWC. My G10 is a faithful friend, worn since 1986 and running perfectly. Great review. Spot on! Your explanation of the NSN absolutely on the money. I think I need one!
3 years ago the Special Boat Service switchef to the Elliott Brown Holton Professional, the SBS's Poole Harbour HW is next door to Elliot Brown. EB make extremely tough watches and their Canford and Bloxworth models were being bought by SBS and they eventually decided to collaborate . The Broad Arrow version is now issued to the SBS. Its an awesome bit of kit. Retails for about £400
This is awesome I’ll take a look. Mal from CWC just told me that the MOD had taken most of there stock of this watch which is why there weren’t many for us punters. They are still being issued man
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR yep, doesn't surprise me. It's not a big unit. You should drop Alex Brown a note to review. EB tend not to swim in the 'watch collector' market and they appear to rarely engage with bloggers. Their target market is more the outdoor/adventure/water/mountains. The watches are built like tanks. Quartz Rondas and Miyota autos with brass inner cases, separated by elastomer cushions from the outer case. Triple sealed pushers and crowns. 200m. They stress test every watch and tested the robustness by leaving a Bloxworth on the bottom of Poole Harbour for a year and attaching a watch to the top mast of a clipper round the world race yacht by its screw bars. They sponsor quite a lot of extreme activities and are official timekeepers for the Clipper Race. But given you review military watches, it might be worth contacting him. Alex was the designer of the Animal watches in the 90s .
you are one of the most entertaining watch reviewers on you tube . I really enjoy your videos. and the fact that you take the time to answer to comments is top class.
Robert!! Top gent my friend thank you! Of course there would be no point in the channel if I didn’t have the like of you taking their time to watch the shows!!!
1. What kind of Swiss Ronda 715 movement is in the CWC SBS Diver Issue (QS120-DD), the better the 5 Jewel Gold plated or cheaper 1 Jewel Nickel plated movement? What are the benefits and disadvantages of each? 2. Is this watch NVG compliant (Are the Bezel and Dial NVG compliant and viewable) It's unthinkable that any "issue" watch, let alone to "special units" would not be, but I couldn't resist asking. There are other obvious questions to ask, like users being able to change out the batteries without servicing and special tools, but let's see. If you change out the batteries on your red dot sights, optics, lasers, etc., and other gear before going out, sure as hell, you're going to change out the batteries on your watches too. Right? Imagine if you will, if all of your other lasers, optics, red dot sights, etc., had to go back for servicing to change out the batteries. Some people like to go out with fresh batteries in everything. Even though the optics can stay on for 7 years, etc. A so-called military "special" watch should meet this same reasonable expectation, without losing its pressure seal. The red dots, optics and lasers don't lose their pressure seal when batteries are changed. You get the point.
This has to be my favorite CWC model. The black PVD suits the military look, and the combo with the green lume looks more appealing to me than the stainless model. I need a grab and go quartz (mostly for dog walking duty ha!), and this would fit the bill perfectly. The 6 year battery life is another nicety, as I hate changing the batteries on some of my quartz watches every couple years. The military special forces connection is just the chef's kiss on the whole thing. The deal maker is it even received full wife approval. Can one beat that? I think not. One the day/date thing, I feel it's very Seiko Turtle-like (my current wind-and-go), so I'm good with it. Might as well take advantage of the quartz movement with a day/date one doesn't have to worry about, except on those random short months.
Bought a G10 from CWC last 6 months ago and wore it everyday. Got a small scratch on the acrylic glass and simply polished it out with white colgate toothpase. Great military watches for Guys (or Girls) who have the slimmer wrist size. Will look out for a full waterproof dive CWC one day when i have enough pennies in the piggy. Thanks for the review ! .
I've just bought myself an SBS diver from ebay, brand new (not the stolen serials) and I AM IMPRESSED. The watch has some weight to it, even with the Nato strap. I can alternate wearing this with my Rolex Submariner or Apple watch, the build quality is amazing.
As I watch this I’m wearing my new g shock Casioak with the steel case. Same as yours. Now you show me this. You are the rugged tool watch devil on my shoulder 😂😂😂. Didn’t know much about CWC, but I’m a sucker for heritage… and British military heritage is super cool. I think I’m hooked. Again!!!
Nice looking watch. I liked the part where you showed all the different straps, highlights how versatile these cwc's are. They also look great on the parastretch straps too, cwc sell some reasonable priced ones 👍🏻
I believe the Elliot Brown Holton is now the issue watch for this unit (not part of the Navy), although they may still stock this alongside. It no longer uses the ETA movement, I’m not sure how the Ronda stacks up in quality as the replacement. Not sure about the quality vs price but it looks great and comes with history, I’m eyeing up the 1980 Navy re-issue.
I just had a conversation with Mal at CWC. The MOD took most of there stock of the SBS divers which is why there weren’t many for us punters. They are still being issued my friend
I have one of these and I love it. It’s in for repair at the moment though, as the bezel spring broke. I sent it off for repair with CWC over 2 months ago now, and still haven’t heard anything. I miss it, and can’t wait to get it back 😭😭😭
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Hi Russ..... Yes that's correct all repairs, battery replacement are all completed in Switzerland. Really enjoy your videos. Take care Best regards, Stefano (UK).
Great review of a little known brand. Have been toying with a purchase for some time now. Let's have more 'wrist roll on the go' MWC. Love that segment!
I've got my eye firmly on this watch for sure. I've just recently treated myself to the Seiko 1986 Tuna reissue S23635J1, I got it for a cracking deal and the money saved could get me a SBS Dive Watch. Hope you get commission for tipping a few of us over the edge MWC.
Great review and beauty watch (minus the squinty eye I got from the mis-aligned day, but that's my problem). Reminds me of my Marathon Navigator in that it's also a lot of moolah for a quartz, but mine is made out of something they refuse to call plastic and only has 30m of water resistance: the bonus is it has tritium tubes which ups the fun-factor to balance it out a little. 👍
Can't believe i've only just descovered this channel. It's brilliant. Well done for finding a new niche approach for a watch review channel. Reminds me of the legend that is Harry Hill.
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR currently working offshore in the North Sea and must have ploughed through about 25 videos over the past few days. Only 12 days to go so I might complete your entire back catalogue by the end of this trip.
I managed to get a CWC SBS and am taking it diving to Bali this week. Well, snorkeling actually. On the CWC orange strap it’ll look the business, I’m sure. Thanks again for this video; it opened my eyes (and snorkels) to CWC!
Excellent video as always Russell, this one is on my want list but at the moment I'll have go into stealth mode since my rather expensive purchase of my grail watch. Her indoors will cut my goolies off if l purchased one so soon since my last watch so it's on the back burner for the moment. I have CWC diver Mk2 polished finish and really impressed with it build quality, but like you l think l need to have at least one CWC PVD version in my collection!
Gotta have one!!! I love it, the ETA engine is dependable for sure and it’s a mega strap monster. I haven’t seen many watches that actually get me excited, but this puppy needs to come home. My only gripe Is the website says it’s a Ronda movement
The 2824 and cloned versions are pretty much the same on the mechanical side, but quartz is another matter I think. Mind you Ronda is Swiss too, but the ETA Quartz is superior to Ronda. One to weigh up, but the watch is an absolute gorgeous stunner either way
The earlier release you had has the ETA but moving forward they’ve moved to Ronda for the next batch in a few months. They found the Ronda hits the markers better with similar spec
@@rayharrison6400 Hi Ray........ Would you say the newer Ronda 517 movements are as good as the older ETA in terms of accuracy, reliability etc please, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Best regards, Stefano.
I like your style Mr!...been hankering for years should have brought one back in the day ... does Silverman's still have an 'interest' in the brand?.... let's hope no confusion with MWC & MWC!....one has copies no one can replicate you!
I’m convinced I’ll buy a CWC someday soon 👌 this one is quite cool but they have a decent variety of models available; I may go with the standard quartz stainless one. Looks nice.
Love the review mate! Caught between one of these, an older issued version (they're just sooo expensive though!) and the inbound new batch of 87 reissues with the 60 click lumed bezel. Decisions decisions...
I love that watch ticks a lot of boxes but i can't spend that much on a quartz, if it had a eta inside then maybe. But it looks a great watch that's for sure. Just found their auto version, bit pricy but good value i think.
Great show matey , i would give mr Pagani his own special show .lol CWC have always been superb but for me my price for a quartz military is about £300 so its a bit pricey for me .lol Keep up the superb work my friend!
Fab review as ever thanks - I’m loving the subtlety of Mr Paganis house iof design - every time I see a Pagani (recently the speed master rip off) I think of you and chuckle 😀
These crop up quite regularly on fleabay. It’s probably worth pointing out that if they are sold in a box, with registration/warranty card, then they are likely legit. If they are sold with a tin and nothing else, the chances are they have found their way out of the back door of MOD stores. Caveat Emptor.
great watch. I have the identical clone of zeno watch basel. the prs 4 broad arrow also in pvd black. wears very comfortably. otherwise, as always, a very successful performance on your channel sir.
They are so nice watches, I wish they were a bit cheaper. I'm not a huge fan of fixed lugs either, I know the military prefers it, but I ain't going on secret missions underwater anytime soon, so I'd just want to enjoy one of these on a nice tropic strap.
Russ, I would really like see a special about high end watches that are Quartz and therefore quite affordable. Like the omega aquaterra Quartz or a Tag Huer Sell.
I bought this very watch a couple if years back and was really disappointed that the seconds hand doesn't line up with the markers. I guarantee yours will be the same....
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR I ended up going to a watchmaker to sort it out - I guess its a reflection on their quality control. I might give one on their non date divers a go as I do like them.
Great review, and likely to cost me some money as I only own one black watch and my only quartz is a dress piece. This would be a great option to switch off with my Vertex M100 as part of my army uniform.
I have A G10 quartz with date, the date version seems to be a lot less common than the no date. I bought it from Silverman's in London about 15 years ago. I quite fancy getting one of their divers at some point.
Cool watch, but in a few shots the day is out of line in the day/date aperture? Been tempted by the stainless steel one for a while now, that will likely be in my hands at some point!
I think it was just me moving the handset for the shot my friend. A little careless. Even on a Quartz I never usually change date unless both hands are lower than the handstock. Just had another go and it’s fine.
i like how the borealis estoril and cwc version is thinner than the baltany but that BGW9 their lume sucks and its more expensive. perhaps at $174.60 on aliexpress ill pick one up.
Great watch and amazing review as usual, Agree with you the waxy leather strap is the best, I’m about to hit the button with this beauty, can I ask you which color is this Waxy leather strap; Tan or Brown, pictures on their site don’t show the true colors :(
Great videos, quick question about the cwc sbs, has cwc changed the movement? Im sure they used to use an eta movement but are now using a ronda movement. ??? Thanks Marc
