Tavannes Watch Co. Submarine Commander 1917

The Submarine Commander 1917 watch from the Tavannes Watch Co. pays tribute to a historical watch model launched during the First World War.

During World War I, the Tavannes Watch Company was approached by the British Navy to develop a specific watch for the use of their submarine officers.

The watch had to respond to the following technical requirements, unavailable during this time period:-

• Water resistance: High moisture levels in submarines
• High pressure resistance: Extremely high pressure level underwater
• Anti-magnetic: Large magnetic engines in submarines
• Sturdiness on the wrist: Requirements by the British Navy
• Maximum legibility day/night: Low lighting in submarines

The Submarine Commander was the first water resistant watch, sold since 1917 and was created for the British Navy in 1915.

100 years later Tavannes Watch Co created a new modernized edition of this legendary watch, keeping all the key elements of the original one.

Historic requirements of the British Navy are gathered in this new Submarine Commander, both in functional and in aesthetic criteria.

This timepiece features a three-piece water resistant construction with screw back, screw-down crown, and screw bezel. Knurling on the case back and bezel offers better gripping of screwed parts. The watch boasts a water resistance of 10 ATM or 100m/330ft.

The watch boasts commemorative engravings for the 100 years of the first Submarine Commander on the inner crystal flange and the back case. Adding aesthetic beauty to the watch the red gaskets on the crown and crystal are also wear indicators for internal gaskets. When gasket’s color fades to pink it is time to service the watch. All gaskets should be replaced.

The Submarine Commander 1917 watch boasts a black dial featuring large white Arabic Numerals for easy time reading with good visibility of the elements. The wide and differentiated hands provide maximum surface area for SuperLuminova and optimal distinction of hours and minutes. Second, 12 and Tavannes logo in red refers to the historic aesthetic codes of the brand. The colored gaskets act as wear indicators.

As its military ancestor, the new Submarine Commander has welded lugs and a one piece NATO band.

These features are consistent with wear sturdiness criteria originally demanded by the British Royal Navy:-

• Welded lugs in the shape of handles
• No spring bar that can jump
• One piece NATO Bracelet
• Wide adjustment range
• Maximum resistance to tearing
• Easy change without disassembly

This type of band, first made of leather was named G-10 according to the reference of the G10-98 form that was used by the military to order them. It was nicknamed “NATO” by a general consensus, referring to NATO, North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

In addition to its robustness the NATO TAVANNES band is designed to be adapted to all sizes. Its 15- holes adjustment range can fit from the smallest to the largest wrist.

Another benefit of using a TAVANNES NATO band is the possibility to change straps in less than one minute without a tool. You can wear a nylon strap to work out and change it to a leather strap for a business appointment in seconds.

The new Submarine Commander was designed to commemorate its predecessor released 100 years earlier, for two British Submarine Commanders. For this reason the Submarine Commander includes several commemorative features.

Technical details

Model: Tavannes Watch Co Submarine Commander 1917

Movement
ETA 2824 STD / SW200
Swiss Made Automatic Movement- Date quantième, hours, minutes and Sweep second display in the center – Ball bearing self-winding system and corrector – Stop second device –
Regulator system ETACHRON with regulator corrector

Case
Biocompatible stainless steel
Size: 41mm
Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment
Water resistance: 10 ATM, 100m, 330ft – Suitable for swimming and snorkeling but NOT suitable for sub-aqua diving

Two finishes available
– Polished steel Faithful to its ancestry
– PVD matte black Pushes the concept of a stealthy military watch (PVD = Physical Vapor Deposition)

Bracelet
NATO G-10
– Nylon braided black and red
– Nylon braided black
– Black lamb leather
– Brown lamb leather

Dial
Black – SuperLuminova Indexes

Large Arabic Numerals
– Easy time reading
– Good visibility of the elements
Wide and differentiated hands
– Maximum surface area for SuperLuminova
– Optimal distinction of hours and minutes
Second, 12 and Tavannes logo in red
– Refers to the historic aesthetic codes of the brand
Colored gaskets as wear indicators
– Whitening of the elements through time
– Whitened gasket = need to service the watch
TW black lacquered pattern
– Brings depth to the dial without disturbing reading
White Arabic numerals on black background
– Optimal reading contrast
– Easy time reading
12 dial index in red on a small 1920’s Tavannes Watch

References and price
Ref. Number TA A07.111/ST02: Price USD 2500
Ref. Number TA A07.111/ST02LTD: 100th Anniversary Limited Edition – 100 pieces. Price USD 1995. Now sold out.
Ref. Number: TA A07.111/STBP02: Black Edition. Price USD 2750