By TLex Here's an absolutely cracking new watch from JS Watch Co. of Reykjavik, Iceland. And there's a great story behind it, that is much better told by them . . . enjoy!
From JS Watch Co. THE SIF–N.A.R.T. (The North Atlantic Rescue Timer) Is an extremely solid watch designed to withstand depths of up to 1000 metes and the most difficult conditions that might arise. This watch has been in the design and testing stages with us for about two years. Now the time has come to let it undergo real world trials in the most difficult conditions we can imagine: the Icelandic Coast Guard's rescue missions.
It's our pleasure to announce that in spite of difficult times and natural disasters, JS Watch co. Reykjavík is keeping to its normal agenda and has been collaborating closely with our most reputable rescue team, the Icelandic Coast Guard. We're extremely proud of the Icelandic Coast Guard and the role it has served for our country. Each and every staff member in the Guard’s staff is vigorously trained and approaches their work with the seriousness it warrants. The SIF N.A.R.T. is designed keeping aim of their difficult work, so it must meet the quality requirements which the guard sets for equipment it uses and relies on.
The watch bears the name SIF - N.A.R.T. and is named after the rescue helicopter TF-SIF which serviced us Icelanders for about 22 years. Before the helicopter was put out of commission on june 17th 2007, it had saved the lives of over 250 people and gone on hundreds of ambulance flights. It owes that success to the fact that the staff of the Icelandic Coast Guard are not just any staff: they’re among the best in the world in each and every one of their fields.
With this in mind, the name SIF was chosen for the our new watch. The name references the fact that with a strong will and hard work, it is possible to achieve great things that others might consider impossible. Those of us at JS Watch co. Reykjavík want to show exactly that with this watch; that a will and hard work can go a very long way.
The SIF - N.A.R.T. will be available to the following units within the Icelandic Coast Guard: The helicopter rescue team, pilots in helicopters and airplanes, bomb squad members and divers. We also call it N.A.R.T. which stands for: North Atlantic Rescue Timer and refers to the function which the watch is supposed to fulfill. These watches will encounter many trails and tribulations. Each watch worn by the guard's will acquire quite a story, and it will be recorded with each watch. The watches that the Icelandic Coast Guard will be using are complete with NATO straps that are very strong and quite heavy-duty. They're therefore very well-suited for the conditions which they will face.
The general public now has the opportunity to own the exact same watch that the Icelandic Coast Guard will use for years to come. The watches will be for sale in two varieties, brushed steel and black PVD coated. Leather straps and NATO straps will also be available. Each SIF - N.A.R.T. is made from a solid block of surgical grade stainless steel which is first stamped and punched, and subsequently milled, drilled and turned on CNC machines. It has a 4mm thick sapphire crystal and has withstood numerous pressure and stress tests. After the tests and their results, we can reliably classify the SIF - N.A.R.T. as a 1000 meter watch.
THE HISTORY OF THE WATCH In Nordic Mythology, Sif, Thor's wife, was a beautiful woman with hair like gold. In the Prose Edda (Snorri's Edda) one story has Loki Laufeyarson cutting off all Sif's hair as a mischievous prank. When Thor found out about this prank, he was livid and vowed to beat and break every single bone in Loki's body. To save his own skin, Loki promised that the black elves would fashion gold to grow as real hair thus replacing the hair that was lost to the prank. Thor, the God of Thunder, who was still irate at Loki's insolence, made sure that Loki make good on his promise that Sif would have her beautiful golden locks restored.
The Icelandic Coast Guard has always named their fleet of ships and aircrafts after the Norse gods, and it was most appropriate that a French helicopter on loan from Aeérospatiale, in the years 1984-85, was given the name "Sif". Sif handled the Icelandic weather and conditions so brilliantly that the Coast Guard bought her sister helicopter, which also flew under the name "Sif". Sif, the second, was to serve the nation reliably for the next twenty-two years.
The comparison between the French songstress Edith Piaf and the French helicopter the Dolphin, Sif, might not appear obvious at first glance but any audience member who saw and heard the songstress perform, never forgot the incredible power and energy stemming from this small and feeble artiste. Her captivating and powerful voice could fill the largest concert halls. The same could be said for her fellow country creation, Sif.
It seemed light and small when it took off to challenge the windy seas and winter storms, but under the control of its well trained and experienced crews, it accomplished incredible rescue after incredible rescue on the Icelandic coast and the North Atlantic. The stories of these heroics are too many to recount here, but they live on in a multitude of articles and books.
Arguably, the Icelandic people take more pride in their Coast Guard than in any other establishment. The Coast Guard has given our young republic an invaluable service. The men and women of the guard have time and time again displayed bravery, honor, knowledge, and patience while performing difficult rescues during horrendous storms and the giant seas of the North Atlantic Ocean.
This courage was perhaps best displayed during the three "Cod Wars" against the British Empire. Our small vessels whent head to head with the Royal Navy's warships, playing with them like a mouse around a cat. The guardsmen pulled mischievous pranks on the British trawlers, right in front of her majesty's admiralty. They would cut the nets from behind the trawlers, making it impossible for the British fleet to fish, and frustrating the crews on the warships who were unable to make a countermove. The Coast Guard crews on the vessels: Ægir, Óðin, and Þór, were hailed as national heroes, capturing the hearts and minds of all Icelanders.
The fishing area under Icelandic control has grown exponentially in the past few years and the Coast Guard has had to add many new vessels, helicopters, and airplanes to its fleet. But to memorialize the small, yet powerful, helicopter "Sif" (1985-2007), JS Watch has added a new star to its "fleet". We continue to strive to reach perfection with all our designs and our latest star will not disappoint. We are proud to introduce "Sif"
Technical Specifications
MOVEMENT
Mechanical movement 'Execution Top'.
Automatic winding.
25 jewels, Custom decorations, Blue screws and Rhodium plated finish.
38-hour power reserve when fully wound.
Fine tuning 'Assortment Chronometer'.
Shock protection Incabloc.
CASE
Material: Surgical grade German Stainless Steel "316L".
Diameter: 40mm, height 13.5mm.
Surface finish: Brushed Steel or Black PVD coated.
High strength 4.0mm Sapphire Crystal with multi anti reflective coating on the inside.
Solid Stainless Steel back.
Water-resistance 1000 meters.
DIAL
Black Brilliant with Arabic numerals, Special Icelandic Coast Guard design.
White luminous material on numerals and indexes.
Date display at six o'clock.
HANDS
JS Mdernes-squelettes.
Rhodium plated with white luminous and Orange tips.
STRAP
Handmade 20mm Genuine Alligator, Ostrich or Calf skin with JS Watch co. Reykjavik buckle or optional deployment clasp.
Also optional: Nylon NATO strap.
Icelandic-made watch. Must be expensive... Do you know the price by any chance?
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