CX Swiss Military 20'000 feet (Full Story)

For those of you who don't know this watch, here's the background:

In 2005 CX Swiss Military Watch broke the world record for the mechanical wristwatch with the highest depth rating, with a rating of 12'000 feet or 3657 meters. A record of 10908 meters had been achieved by Rolex's Deep Sea Special prototype, and don't ask me why but, it didn't count, probably because, as I mentioned before it was a prototype and never went into production.



Prior to the CX Swiss Military 12'000 feet, the previous record of 3000m was held jointly by; Girard-Perregaux's Seahawk II Pro, UTS München's 3000m and the Breitling Avenger Seawolf. All three great dive watches, although I am yet to own the UTS, I do have an SHII Pro or two and an Avenger Seawolf in my collection.


In 2008 Rolex's Seadweller DEEPSEA was released with a 3900m rating. Incidentally Rolex consulted with COMEX (who have a long running history with Rolex dating back to the late 1960's) during the DEEPSEA's development and in fact it was pressure tested to well over 4000 meters, but due to the number '4' being an inauspicious number in Asia (Rolex's biggest market), 3900m was put on the dial in place of 4000m. In my opinion the DEEPSEA is an incredible watch and for me is the pinnacle of Rolex's dive watch endeavors and a watch I shall never let go from my collection.



The other contender is the yet to be released PITA Oceana with its 5000m rating, but that’s another story that I shall go into at a later date!



Back to the 20'000 feet, there's no doubt about it, this is an incredible feat of engineering and on that basis alone makes this a dive watch of considerable note. The watch looks very slick and modern considering it's size. The use of titanium came as no surprise to me as it greatly helps to reduce weight, but the carbon fiber dial was a surprise and is a nice sporty touch.



However, I can't help but wonder if the 20'000 feet would have benefited from larger hands. That would, in my humble opinion have kept the watch more in line with it being the tool diver that it is.



And also, if a non-chronograph movement had been used; would this have lead to a considerable reduction in the case thickness making it more wearable. The case of the 20'000 feet is a whopping 28.5mm thick and as a result would sit up quite high on the wrist.



These are just minor considerations. Personally I would happily live the the hands and the case thickness, fully content in the knowledge that I own the world's deepest mechanical diver! Something that appeals to me and something that I would marvel at every time I looked down upon the 46mm X 28.5mm chunk of titanium and 10mm thick sapphire crystal that adorned my wrist. I have issues, no doubt!



Below is the full press release and plenty of hi-res images including some images of the extreme torture testing that the watch went through by means of; shotguns and water cannons amongst others. Enjoy!

Technical Specifications:


Movement:

. Chronometer-certified automatic chronograph ETA cal. 7750 Valjoux COSC

. 25 jewels

. 28'800 oscillations/h

. Power reserve 48h

. Etachron regulator system

. Glucydur balance bridge

. Nivaflex mainspring

. Antichoc with Incabloc shock-absorber


Functions:

. Hour; minute; small second at 9h

. Chronograph with 30 minute counter at 12h, 12 hour counter at 6h, central second counter

. Date at 3h


Case/bracelet:

. Solid titanium case/bracelet, Ø 46.0mm, thickness 28.5mm, weight 265gr total

. X-large crown with side-guards, allowing for diving with thick gloves

. Screw-down crown and pushers

. Red safety marking on pushers (visible when unscrewed)

. Domed, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, thickness 10mm

. Unidirectional rotating bezel, 60 minute graduation, Superluminova™ indices

. Solid titanium bracelet, lug-ends and links screwed

. Solid titanium folding clasp with safety catch and micro-adjustment

. Separate genuine rubber strap & rubber extension strap for dry-suit diving (wrist


circumference up to 35cm)

. Screw-driver

. Screw-down caseback, Limited Edition engraving

. Water-resistant to 7’500 meters (25’000 feet; 6’000 meters or 20’000 FEET &

25% safety margin as per ISO 6425)

. Helium relief valve

. anti-magnetic ISO 764


Dials:

. Silver, black carbon, blue or yellow

. Superluminova™ indices

. Counters sunburst decor


Hands:

. Oversized minute hand

. Superluminova™ coating

. All chronograph hands in red


WARRANTY EXTENSION

As an additional service for its customers Montres Charmex SA signed a contract with the Swiss insurance company HELVETIA to insure the 20’000 FEET by CX Swiss Military Watch™ against theft for the first two years.

Limited edition of 1'000 watches only

rrp Switzerland incl. 7.6% VAT CHF 3’995.-

rrp EU incl. 19% VAT EUR 2‘998.-