In a total stealth move witnessed by a sub-culture within the watch collecting community, Synchron graced enthusiast inboxes yesterday with a pretty special press release. To our surprise, the “ultra-rare” diver they’re introducing is actually a nod to the Doxa Army – a watch issued to Swiss Army combat divers in the 1970s. For Synchron’s 25th anniversary year, the group decided to release a tribute to this piece (and the very first Synchron-badged dive watch) as the Synchron Military diver. The result is a charming diver for dive watch enthusiasts spearheaded by Rick Marei – the individual responsible for a revived interest in the Doxa SUB series of divers, Aquastar, Aquadive, and more.
Synchron is a group that prides itself on being “committed to recovering the most sought-after treasures and interesting stories from the greatest era of Swiss watch design.” If you take a close look at their recent releases, brand revivals, the very best Doxa reissues, and Marei’s contribution to modern watch sales and marketing, I think it’s safe to say that Synchron really does back up that claim. Now, about the “sought-after treasure” part. When you consider the Doxa Army, we’re talking rarity and level even above something like the Professional-dial “Black Lung” Doxa watches. In fact, the last count I saw was five Doxa Army watches ever seen in the wild.
Again, as a faithful tribute, the Synchron Military aims to capture the vibes of the original from the ’70s – and I think they got pretty close. From the funky handset to the giant bezel numerals and retro case, it’s a watch that’s sure to be a hit with fans of other Marei-inspired pieces. Also at a price of $990 for the pre-order, it’s also not a bad deal for a limited watch you’ll probably never see again. Here’s a quick rundown of the specs – I only wish Synchron could’ve gotten that crown to sit in a little deeper into the case. That’s really my only gripe.
Synchron Military Diver Reissue Specs
- Case Diameter: 42mm
- Lug to Lug: 45mm
- Case Thickness: 12.5mm (14mm, including caseback)
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Water Resistance: 300m
- Movement: ETA-2824-2 Elabore grade
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Straps: Tropic rubber & Signed Isofrane
- Price: Pre-Order Price – $990 (or $1,290 full retail)
Overall I’m excited to see even more momentum behind Rick Marei’s recent efforts to bring some of the coolest vintage divers ever, into the modern age. We’re still learning more about this watch, so you’ll probably hear some new developments (and more about Doxa’s response to the release) on the next TBWS podcast episode. Learn more about the Synchron Military Diver on the brand’s official site.
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.