FOG HORN

MTM Spec Ops watches is introducing its crowning jewel The TriggEr. It is the company’s first automatic movement chronograph and they went whole hog with this timepiece.

As consumers, we are all exposed to watchmaker claims that their wrist watch is a chronometer and quite often those claims are false. So, before I reveal what’s under The TriggEr’s hood I’ll tell you what a chronometer is and how you can separate the wheat from the chaff.

In order to be described as a Swiss chronometer, a watch must first be tested by Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometeres or COSC. They are an independent association that is governed by Swiss Civil code, Companies that wish to designate their timepieces as chronometers must submit their watch for testing in one of three test centers located in Geneva, Bienne and Le Locle. The Swiss have been testing chronometers since 1878 and COSC, as it exists today,  has been testing since 1973. Of the 800,000+ watches tested by COSC 80% meeting chronometer certification belong to Rolex the remaining certifications are distributed among five or so manufacturers. So, what does it take to be legally called a chronometer.

COSC performs seven different tests. Failure to meet the minimum standard in any one of the tests means that a movement is rejected.

• Test 1 : Mean Daily Rate: After 10 days of tests, the mean daily rate of the movement must be within the range of -4 to +6 seconds per day.
• Test 2 : Mean Variation in Rates: COSC observes the movement’s rate in five different positions (two horizontal, three vertical) each day over 10 days for a total of 50 rates. The mean variation in rates can be no more than 2 seconds.
• Test 3 : Greatest Variation in Rates: The greatest of the five variations in rates in the five positions can be no more than 5 seconds per day.
• Test 4 : Horizontal and Vertical Difference: COSC subtracts the average of the rates in the vertical position (on the first and second days) from the average of the rates in the horizontal position (on the ninth and tenth days). The difference must be no more than -6 to +8 seconds.
• Test 5 : Greatest Deviation in Rates: The difference between the greatest daily rate and the mean daily test rate can be no more than 10 seconds per day.
• Test 6 : Rate Variation Due to Temperature: COSC tests the movement’s rate at 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit) and at 38 degrees C (100 degrees F). It subtracts the cold temperature rate from the hot temperature rate and divides by 30. The variation must be no more than 0.6 seconds per day.
• Test 7 : Resumption of the rate: This is obtained by subtracting the average mean daily rate of the first two days of testing from the mean daily rate of the last test day. The resumption of rate can be no more than 5 seconds.

If the timepiece meets these tests, the COSC will issue a certificate. About 2% of Switzerland’s total watch production meets the requirements to be designated a chronograph.

MTM’s The TriggEr uses a COSC certified chronograph movement set in a CNC machined grade 5 titanium case. The watchcase back is an exhibition type, utilizing sapphire glass, and is protected by MTM’s dagger insignia.

The bezel acts as a safety mechanism that can be engaged or disengaged. By simply rotating the bezel counter-clockwise, the TriggEr’s proprietary gearing mechanism will raise the entire bezel 1mm above the watch’s sapphire crystal.  This allows for an added level of protection for the crystal when the wearer encounters extreme use.  By repeating the counter-clockwise rotation once, the bezel returns to its normal position.

The dial is a specially designed dial with integrated raised block indexes and numerals.  The chronograph’s 3 sub-dials are also raised and correspondingly trimmed to coordinate with each of the TriggEr’s finishes and complement a 3’oclock positioned day/date window. 

The TriggEr bracelet is an articulating ball bearing link design. What is special with this bracelet is that no pins are used. Each individual CNC machined link is solid titanium and connected via precisely machined and polished bearings. This approach makes for a very smooth and comfortable bracelet.

Now for the bad news… It’s 10 Large. The retail price on this work of art is $10,000 certainly not an impulse buy. However, it is a limited edition item. MTM adviced me that production will be limited to  50 pieces in each of the following finishes; black, grey, silver and gold

Manufacturer Specifications:

• Movement – ETA COSC Automatic
• Case/Band Material – Titanium
• Case Diameter – 44mm
• Crystal – Sapphire
• Water Resistance – 200 Meters (660 Feet)
• M.S.R.P. $10,000 USD