CWC

1993 CWC Royal Navy SBS Diver 0555/6645-99-7995443

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Founded in 1972, Cabot Watch Company (CWC) was established with the goal of producing purpose-built military timepieces for the British Ministry of Defence. Over the following decades, the company became one of the MOD's principal suppliers, manufacturing wristwatches for a variety of British military branches and earning a reputation for rugged, purpose-built tool watches designed for operational use.

Developed in response to a new Ministry of Defence specification introduced in 1987, the CWC SBS Diver was built to meet the operational requirements of the Royal Navy's Special Boat Service (SBS), one of the world's premier maritime special operations units. Designed as a true military dive instrument with a 300-meter depth rating, the SBS specification featured a nonreflective black PVD-coated case to reduce glare in low-light environments, along with a practical day-date display to assist personnel during extended deployments. Watches produced to this specification carry the military NSN 0555/6645-99-7995443, distinguishing them from the earlier Royal Navy dive watch contracts.

The first SBS divers entered military service in 1988 and were fitted with acrylic bezel inserts, echoing the construction of the contemporary Royal Navy divers. In 1992, the specification evolved to a metal bezel insert featuring a distinctive, wide hash-mark design unique to that contract year. Later production examples, including this 1993-issued watch, adopted the now-familiar narrow hash-mark metal bezel insert, a configuration that would remain standard on subsequent SBS issue watches.

This example dates to the 1993 contract, the first year to carry the Royal Navy purchasing code 0555 in place of the earlier 0552 designation. Research published by CWC Addict indicates that approximately 100 examples were issued during the 1993 contract. In addition to their service with the Special Boat Service, watches from this period also saw use within other United Kingdom Special Forces elements. Combined with their documented military provenance, specialist operational history, and limited production, early SBS divers have become some of the most desirable modern British military wristwatches.

SPECS

Stock # CWCSBS93-1
Brand CWC
Style Military Diver
Model 0555/6645-99-7995443
Serial 03X/93
Size Men's
Material Stainless Steel PVD
Dial Matte Black
Millimeters 42
Strap Original Issued Black Phoenix Strap

CASE & BRACELET

The case remains in sharp, unpolished condition, exhibiting honest wear consistent with military service along with an attractive, even patina to the original black PVD finish. The fixed strap bars remain fully intact, showing no evidence of bending or damage. The watch is fitted with the correct thin hash-mark bezel insert, appropriate for this period of production. The screw-down caseback retains crisp, fully legible military issue markings, including the original NSN and issuance numbers. This example also retains its original crystal, which displays light surface wear consistent with age and use. A replacement crystal can be installed upon request; however, we have elected to preserve the original crystal to maintain the watch's originality. The watch comes supplied on an era-correct issued black Phoenix NATO Strap, which remains in minimally worn condition.

DIAL & HANDS

The original matte black dial remains in excellent condition, free from any notable degradation or marks. The tritium lume on both the dial and hands has aged evenly to a rich yellow coloration. As is commonly seen on original issued examples, the lume within the seconds hand has darkened further, with minor darkening also present in the minute hand. When examined under ultraviolet light, the tritium of the dial and hands exhibit no degradation or evidence of repair.

ACCESSORIES 

The watch is running exceptionally well and keeping accurate time. It was recently serviced, during which it received a fresh battery and a new caseback gasket to ensure reliable operation. While the case retains its original water-resistant design, due to the age of the watch, we do not recommend swimming or diving with it. The watch is accompanied by our one-year mechanical warranty covering accurate timekeeping.