Established in 2019, Micromilspec is an independent Norwegian microbrand specializing in “made-to-order” watches for the military, law enforcement agencies, first responders, and special clients.
Micromilspec watches are designed and developed in Oslo, Norway, and manufacturing and assembly are managed by a network of partners in Switzerland. The custom watches are not typically available to the public. While many of their creations remain exclusive to these groups — with some even classified — in some instances there are civilian models produced in small quantities.
Blending aviation, military, and horology — Micromilspec’s latest Hercules timepiece was created in collaboration with members of the Norwegian 335 Squadron (custodians of the Hercules aircraft). The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft, that’s capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medevac, and cargo transport aircraft.
Delivered in a micro-blasted stainless steel case in matte black PVD, the case measures 42 mm x 12.5 mm. You can choose from a black leather strap, a black rubber strap, or a matte black stainless steel PVD bracelet with a hidden folding clasp. And with a standard 20 mm lug width, you can easily swap out third-party straps as well.
The Hercules timepiece was designed to capture the essence of the C-130J cockpit’s sophisticated instrumentation as a wearable “mechanical HUD display.” The two-part sandwich matte black dial is protected by a sapphire crystal and with very bright green luminous material (Super-LumiNova X1) applied on the hands and indices, and uniquely, there’s also lume infused in the sapphire crystal, resulting in a three-tier display — that simulates an airplane’s HUD (Head Up Display).
Micromilspec designed the Hercules with a screw-down crown and the watch offers a depth rating of 100 meters. The screw-in caseback is open and reveals an industrial-finished automatic 4Hz, 26-jewel, 38-hour power reserve, Sellita SW200 that displays hours, minutes, seconds, and the date, and has “MICROMILSPEC” engraved on the rotor. Around the steel perimeter of the caseback are stamped embossed “C-130J HERCULES, 10ATM, XXX/100” and there’s a large empty space for a custom relief engraved (embossed) personal message.
In addition to the highly-legible, easy-to-read milspec dial, and prominently lumed dial/crystal, the Hercules has Micromilspec’s signature MicroGMT bezel, which is 12-hour uni-directional bezel that was originally designed by the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s Search and Rescue squadron for missions involving multiple time zones in close proximity.
In addition to the Norwegian 335 Squadron Hercules project, Micromilspec has worked on other projects for:
- U.S. Space Force
- Canadian, Norwegian & French Special Forces
- His Majesty The King’s Guard (Royal Guards battalion of the Norwegian Army)
- 330 Squadron (SAR helicopter unit of the Royal Norwegian Air Force)
- Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates (naval combatant units of the Royal Norwegian Navy)
- Telemark Battalion (mechanized infantry unit of the Norwegian Army)
- Armoured Battalion (infantry unit of the Norwegian Army)
- 2nd Battalion (infantry unit of the Norwegian Army)
- Smoke Divers unit of the Oslo Firebrigade
- Asymmetrical Warfare Group (American anti-terror unit)
- Fallskärmsjägarklubben (Swedish 323rd Parachute Ranger Squadron)
Starting today, Micromilspec is offering a civilian version of the Hercules milspec timepiece, in a limited edition of 100 numbered pieces, for a retail price starting at $1,500. If you like aviation-military watches and want something unique, this should be on your radar.
Learn more at Micromilspec.
Photos by Micromilspec.
