tactical watch

Field Watch Review: Sans 13 Tactical Sport Watch from S&B

We’ve scoped out the SANS-13 Tactical Sport Watch from S&B (formerly Smith and Bradley) before and found it to be an exceptional field timepiece, but the watch recently underwent a redesign that was informed heavily by feedback S&B received directly from military and law enforcement users. The result is one hell of a tough duty watch that’s got a clean, tactical aesthetic that doesn’t look all that out of place in any social setting either.

This new version of the SANS-13 added 100 meters worth of water resistance over the model we previously reviewed, bringing its rating up to 300 meters, or just about 1,000 feet. Among other improvements, they also added a one-directional 120-click ratcheting bezel that I had no trouble manipulating with and without my gloves. You can get the watch with a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating to protect against moisture and other corrosives, or in a stainless steel variety that, while lacking a bit of the toughness allotted by the coating, has an even better overall aesthetic.

The dial window is my favorite part of the watch, only because I found myself constantly banging this watch against gear I was testing out, the metal counters in my workshop, my daughter’s toys and just about anything else I could flail my limbs at. Maybe I’m always this clumsy and I just don’t normally notice, or maybe all the years of drinking are catching up with me, but in either event, the Sapphire Crystal S&B used for their dial window took each and every impact like a champ. This watch still looks brand new despite my best efforts at beating the hell out of it.

This watch is a great choice for military and LEO guys that are in need of a solid, reliable duty time piece, but it’s also a good choice for outdoor adventurers that need their watch to survive getting banged against rocks during a climb or being drenched in rain while camping. At around $400, this isn’t the cheapest duty watch you’ll find, but it keeps pace with far more expensive alternatives and looks just as good as a timepiece you might spend three times as much on.

Precision Timepiece | MTM Air Stryk II | Special Ops Watch

Precision “The precision of a measurement system, related to reproducibility and repeatability, is the degree to which repeated measurements under unchanged conditions show the same results.” – Wikipedia

The cockpit of an aircraft is a wall of precision dials, gauges, meters and displays. Each one with a specific purpose. Measuring fuel quantity, altitude, airspeed, rate of climb, bank angle, etc. All critical to the safe operation of flight. Equally paramount to safe flying is time management. Making the watch you choose to wear on your wrist just as important. And that’s why I chose the Air Stryk II from MTM Special Ops Watches. Fortunately, this is one precision instrument that I can take with me after each flight.

A bold and beautiful timepiece, the Air Stryk II embodies its aviation heritage. Cut from a solid piece of titanium, the massive 45mm case remains as light as 5.5 oz. And topped with a scratch resistant sapphire crystal for added protection. Additional supplemental information can be viewed on the dual backlit digital displays. Never interrupting the time keeping duties of the smooth and reliable Swiss analog movement. Great for travelers is the 58 City pre-defined timezone feature. A few quick pushes of a button and you’ll be dialed in to your destination time zone. Lastly, a back up digital compass is available if all else fails in navigation. These features make the Air Stryk II the perfect companion for pilots and travelers alike.

I have several vices. And watches are clearly one of them. With a penchant for large faced bold timepieces, I can say the MTM Air Stryk II rates among my favorite. Offering 3 case colors, 8 face designs and more than 30 watch bands, MTM gives you options. Making the Air Stryk II one of the most customizable watches in the MTM line-up. Allowing the customer to design a watch for almost any occasion. Don’t want it to look too tactical? Try a silver case and band, or a white face. Want to be a Ninja? Opt for the DLC coated black case with a carbon fiber face. Then top it off with one of several black watch bands options. What I’m saying is, if you can’t find a combination that suits your needs, you’ve got issues.

MTM Air Stryk II Specifications courtesy of specialopswatch.com:

MOVEMENT | MTM Proprietary With Swiss Analog
DIGITAL DISPLAY | Time Display: AM/PM, Hour, Minute, Seconds. | Date Display: Month-Day or Day-Month | Alarm, Timer, Chronograph, Digital Compass, Low Battery, Preset Time Zones: 58 Cities | EL Backlight
DIGITAL COMPASS | Yes
CHRONOGRAPH MODE | Measuring range: 23 Hours, 59 Minutes, 59.99 Seconds. 10 Lap Records
ALARM MODE | 5 Daily or Scheduled Alarms
PRE-DEFINED TIME ZONES | 58 Cities + My City (User Defined)
CASE | Solid Titanium
BAND | Choose From 30+ Different Types/Colors/Sizes
FINISH | Available in Brushed Silver, Sandblasted Grey and Black DLC Coating
CROWN | Locking, Screw Down
GLASS | Sapphire Crystal; AntiReflective & Scratch Resistant with Ultraviolet Protective Coating
DIAL | Split Carbon Fiber/Matte Brass – Available in 8 Colors
INDEX AND HANDS | Luminous
WATER RESISTANCE | 330 Feet / 100 Meters
CASE SIZE | 45mm (Without Crown) x 16 mm (Thickness)
WEIGHT | 5.5 oz
BATTERY | Lithium – Manufacturer Rated At 3 Years
WARRANTY | 3 Years
LIMITED EDITION | Each Watch Individually Numbered
PACKAGING | Securely Shipped In Its Own Watertight Tactical Case

Final thoughts: Owning more than 1 timepiece from MTM Special Ops Watches, I clearly like what they bring to the table. For the money, it’s a very good value. In comparison to my watch from Bremont that’s too nice for daily wear, the durability and design from MTM easily sustains the abuse I dish out. The Air Stryk II is more comfortable than my MTM Cobra. Mainly due to a lower profile locking crown that doesn’t dig into my wrist as much. Additionally, the Sapphire Crystal has taken a few direct hits without a mark. My only gripe with the Air Stryk II is the digital display can be difficult to read when backlit in total darkness. If backlight intensity was user adjustable, the problem would be solved.

If you haven’t checked out MTM Special Ops Watches, take a look at their wide range of offerings and start configuring your next timepiece.

MTM Special Ops Watch | Cobra

If you’re like me and aren’t opposed to a little man bling, then you need to peruse the offerings from MTM Special Ops watches. The name says it all, with inspiration from the Special Ops community, these military timepieces feature exotic alloys, carbon fiber and a heavy dose of sex appeal. Last year at Shot Show, I found myself gravitating daily towards the MTM Special Ops watch booth and their stunning watch displays. Unfortunately for me, they were not handing out free samples. The Cobra model which instantly caught my eye is the biggest, baddest watch that MTM currently offers.

While in the Ranger Regiment, I utilized the good ole Casio G-Shock like everyone else. It was a good durable watch at a low price point but it did nothing aesthetically for me. Once I left the military and was earning a decent salary, I wanted more of a statement piece. Like a Breitling Super Avenger. With Swiss blood in my veins and love for aviation, it made perfect sense. Or so I thought. It also costs a shit ton of money and I quickly found myself wearing it less and less as fears of damage or loss crept into my head. Since then, I’ve bounced around various watch manufacturers looking for what I consider the perfect time piece. A watch that performs all the functions I feel are necessary yet won’t break the bank and is both durable and good-looking.

I settled on the Limited Edition MTM Cobra in a black DLC coating. This hefty time piece arrived in a tacti-cool Pelican style hard case and is individually numbered. The large 47.5mm case sculpted from a block of titanium is neither subtle, nor covert. In fact, it’s the largest watch I own. Although the MTM website states a weight of 7.1oz, my Cobra tipped the scales at 6.3oz after removing a few links from the bracelet. Removing metal links from a watch band typically involves a trip to the jeweler. Not the case with the titanium band from MTM. Link removal was a breeze with the supplied allen key taking me no more than 5 minutes to dial in the size.

The MTM Special Ops Cobra is a great daily driver looking good in various environments. Subdued enough not to compromise your position in a tactical setting, yet classy enough to accompany you for a night on the town. MTM Special Ops offers not only DLC Black, but brushed silver and sandblasted gray for a more traditional look. Furthermore, there are 5 different watch faces and dozens of watch bands in several colors and textures to choose from. MTM Special Ops offer more than a dozen different models, all with their own unique look and specific functions. MTM actually has a watch that can detect Gamma radiation with a Geiger-Muller tube! Great for your next vacation in Chernobyl. Watches range in price from under $300 to almost $2000. For me, that’s the price-range sweet spot.

This mammoth watch has been comfortably on my left wrist for over a month now. It’s been banged around on the construction sites, spent time sub surface on a shipwreck dive, engaged in shooting sports, out to dinner and even bitten by my dog. The MTM Cobra is a large overt watch that will get some attention. If you’re looking for something more covert, take a look at the other offerings from MTM, I’m sure you’ll find something that suits your needs. My addiction to watches may see the MTM Air Stryk 2 joining my ranks at some point.

MTM Special Ops Cobra specifications courtesy of specialopswatch.com

MOVEMENT: Highly Calibrated Japanese Quartz Chronograph With Alarm
CASE & BAND | Solid Titanium
BAND | Adjustable Links Are Connected With Allen Screws, Making Band Easy To Adjust With The Allen Key Supplied. Compatible with all other MTM bands
FINISH | Available in Brushed Silver, Sandblasted Grey and Black DLC Coating
BEZEL | Unidirectional, Ratcheting Bezel
CROWN AND PUSHER | Locking, Screw Down
GLASS | Sapphire Crystal with Ultraviolet, Anti Reflective, Protective Coating
DIAL | Carbon Fiber or Brass – Available in Black, Silver, Tan & Green Lumi Colors
HANDS | Luminous (Super LumiNova)
WATER RESISTANCE | 660 Feet / 200 Meters
CASE SIZES | 44.0 mm & 47.5 mm (Without Crown) x 15 & 15.5 mm (Thickness)
WEIGHT | 6.6 oz (44.0 mm) & 7.1 oz. (47.50mm)
BATTERY | Manufacturer Rated At 3 Year Maximum
WARRANTY | 3 Years
LIMITED EDITION | Each Watch Individually Numbered
PACKAGING | Securely Shipped In Its Own Watertight Tactical Box

In conclusion, I’m very impressed with the overall construction and appearance of this time piece from MTM Special Ops. MTM’s attention to detail is superb along with their liberal use of high quality materials. However, there are a few minor items I would address to elevate the MTM Cobra to a higher level of functionality. The luminous numbers and hands do not glow long enough to be readable after the sun goes down. As a result, you’re left completely in the dark regarding timekeeping. Tritium tubes or LED’s built into the face are available in other models to solve this problem and would be a welcome addition to the Cobra. Lastly, the locking crown is a bit large leaving a dent in the top of my hand. Minor gripes as my search for the “perfect” watch continue.

Smith & Bradley Sans-13 Watch | First Look

Finding a good tactical watch that is asembled in the USA isn’t an easy task these days. With so many companies outsourcing both design and manufacturing to other parts of the world, “Made in the USA” is becoming a scarce motto. Hopefully, the current administration can turn things around. But for now, owner Jerommie Smith of Smith & Bradley are quietly designing and assembling their watches in Florida. And I had the opportunity to test and review one of their latest watch evolutions, the Sans-13.

Building on the original Sans-13 model, this latest evolution is the product of thousands of man hours in both design and rigorous testing. One of the main features in the new Sans-13 is the enhanced illumination technology. Referred to as “Lume Plates”, this new technology utilizes an embedded illumination plate providing up to 8 hours of glow in total darkness. The watch face features number “cut-outs” that expose the Lume Plate below. The amount of illumination provided from this new technology will easily go toe-to-toe with Tritium timepieces. As evidenced by the picture below.

Protecting the face of this watch is a flat Sapphire Crystal with Anti-Reflective Coating. This is a nice feature in a tactical watch for a couple of reasons. The watch can be viewed from any angle without distortion. And you won’t give up your position by reflecting light towards the enemy. Constructed of 316L Stainless Steel, the Sans-13 case and band are extremely corrosion resistant. And featuring a depth rating of 660 feet, it will hold up to any depth and pressure you can throw at it. Finally, the Black PVD finish is just one more layer of protection from the elements, maintaining a tactical yet classy appearance.

Smith & Bradley Sans-13 Specs courtesy of smithbradleyltd.com

200 Meter Water Depth Resistance
Swiss Ronda Movement
Flat Sapphire Crystal With Anti-Reflective Coating
120 Click Unidirectional Bezel
316L Stainless Steel Solid Screw Down Case Back With Silicone O-Ring Seal
Crown Tube With Double O-Ring Internal Seal
316L Stainless Steel Full Brush Case In Stainless Steel And PVD Version
24 Hour Dial
Sandwich Dial- Entire Background Is A Lume Plate
Lume Plates Embedded In Hands
Full Dive Watch With Military Specifications For Tactical Use
Full Metal Bracelet- Each Link Has An Individual Screw Bar To Adjust Length
Screw Bar Attachment For Metal Bracelet To Watch Body
Locking Strap Buckle With Safety Latch
3 Adjustments Within Buckle For Fine Adjustment
2 Year Limited Warranty
24mm Lug Width
11mm Thickness
49mm End To End Measurement
42mm Case/44mm With Crown Gaurd
4.7 Ounces Weight With Metal Bracelet Attached
MSRP $395

Initial Impressions: The Sans-13 from Smith & Bradley is a simple, reliable and durable timepiece. Featuring Swiss movement at a very reasonable price, the Sans-13 will maintain accuracy for years. Most of my personal watches are larger 47mm Titanium cased timepieces. Although the Sans-13 is a bit smaller at 42mm, it still feels substantial on my wrist. The Stainless Steel case is robust and durable albeit a bit heavy for it’s size. But I’m unfairly comparing a $1500 Titanium watch to a $395 Stainless watch. However, I will continue to wear the more affordable Sans-13 watch to work. As a General Contractor, I tend to bang my watch around and I’m confident that the Sans-13 will willingly take the abuse.

Pictured in article: Recycled Firefighter wallet, Kershaw Launch 7