Libraries/BuchererLibrary/uk/-/media/project/bucherer/bucherer/content-migration/uhren/brand-pages/mat_watches/1_Big_image_on_top_t710p9

MATWATCHES

MER-AIR-TERRE
For fifteen years, MATWATCHES has been the leading French name in the design, manufacture and distribution of military watches for professionals. With clients ranging from the French RAID tactical unit, the Foreign Legion, and the French Residential Security Group (GSPR) through to French naval aviation units and US Navy aviators, MATWATCHES has established a reputation for excellence with bespoke commissions for members of élite units for technical automatic watches renowned for their reliability, accuracy, extreme legibility, and robustness in all conditions. Steely discipline, proven technical prowess and a strong design ethos are the watchwords for this company founded by director Fabrice Pougez. With its military heritage, MATWATCHES has a proven watchmaking pedigree and can now roll its products out in new markets. As an independent brand focusing on warriors in all their guises with a taste for adventure and beautiful objects, MATWATCHES brings the same attention to the design of civilian and professional timepieces alike. Respect for the conventions and esprit de corps which constitute the brand DNA are what have appealed to Bruce Dickinson, an exceptional pilot and lead singer with Iron Maiden, and also to US Navy officers, professional rugby players, modern adventurers of the calibre of Denis Brogniart and Philippe Bourseiller, the heroes of French national sea rescue units (SNSM), and the French America’s Cup team.

Highlights

Marketing Content/Ecom/uhren/brand pages/matwatches/SNSM_web

Urban Club 42.5mm, steel, rubber strap, blue dial with arab./Index, automatic Cal. 2824-2, sapphire-crystal, 20 atm, Ref.: AG7XLC1.

SNSM

The objective of the SNSM is to rescue anyone in danger at sea and on the coast, in Metropolitan France and the Overseas Territories. It is the only institution tohave both the skills and qualifications needed to intervene on the beaches and offshore. It draws upon 8,000 volunteers dedicated to rescue at sea. In 2018, lifeboats and lifeguards aided 30,000 people, including more than 9,000 at sea. After one year of development and following the recommendations of the specifications of the Sea rescuers, we are delighted to present our partnership, which today becomes reality through the creation of a Compressor watch. This watch in the SNSM colours comes in 2 dial versions, distinguished by fine touches of orange for optimum readability. Its highly-resistant case is made of recycled navy-blue leather and bears the emblem of the SNSM, and you can take it with you wherever you go. For each watch sold, MER-AIR-TERRE has agreed to donate a percentage to the SeaRescuers association.
California_web_g28lcz

California 39mm, steel, calf strap, with pin buckle, automatic Cal. ETA 2824-2, sapphire-crystal, 10 atm, Ref.: AG7GMA6.

California

Without sacrificing any of its military pedigree, the California collection is opening a new chapter in the history of MATWATCHES by expanding its design parameters and style brief. Combining strength of character with elegance, these watches with a more civilian look offer neo-classical styling to active urban wearers. They retain the MATWATCHES DNA and drive to explore new horizons, while preserving the intrinsic energy of its watches. After extensive design research, and in order to reflect the mood of the era, MATWATCHES presented its first California model in 2014. With a self- winding Swiss mechanical movement (ETA 2824-2) which is both robust and accurate, it was initially designed as an “État-Major” military staff watch, and boasts all the distinctive traits of an all-purpose timepiece which is equally at home in the office, on a motorcycle ride or as weekend wristwear. Its 11.5mm deep barrel-shaped case (39mm in diameter) is beautifully understated. Refinement is implicit, but the large dial aperture and broad strap deliver a strong visual impression on the wrist. An instantly recognisable and iconic contribution to the collection, the California features both Roman and Arabic numbers on the dial like certain combat watches. Discrete but easy to read, refined but robust, it is ideal for everyday missions; its cleverly designed short lugs provide optimal comfort and the vintage-style strap sits perfectly in the watch case middle. It epitomises a spirit of freedom and sophisticated elegance which make it a highly versatile, very cosmopolitan and stylish watch for all occasions.
US-Navy_web_xw82jk

Aviation 42.5mm, steel, leather strap, with pin buckle, automatic Cal. ETA 2893-2, sapphire-crystal, 20 atm, with GMT, Ref.: AG7XLA3.

US NAVAL AVIATION

With more than 30 years of military and civilian flight operation experience, Jerry «Leekster» Leekey has beginning his career in corporate aviation, he was later selected to be a US Navy F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot. His passion for aviation and his life experiences are expressed in the design of these new MATWATCHES timepieces - they are truly an expression of his desire to create the quintessential pilot wristwatch. In the spring of 2015, we designed our first Naval Aviation timepiece. In 2017 we went for a radical vintage look. Protected by a robust 316L surgical steel case of 42.5 mm, its dark blue dial (sun-ray finishing) with its oversized index and arabic figures in super luminova (BGW9:blue glow white) features pilots’ wings at 6 o’clock. This new UTC is equipped with a unidirectional turning bezel in blue aluminium, with guilted figures indicating the second time zone for perfect legibility.
GIPN_web_adxb0s

OPS 44mm, steel, rubber strap, with pin buckle, automatic Cal. ETA 2824-2, sapphire-crystal, 30 atm, Ref.: AG62C3.

GIPN

The GIPN French police intervention units were formed in 1972. To celebrate their fortieth anniversary, the GIPN opted to partner with MATWATCHES once again. The Furtive watch was developed exclusively for the GIPN and the key criteria in the specification were robustness and legibility. The dial markers are applied in subdued colours for high legibility/low visibility, thus ensuring total discretion. The time is easy to read by day and night as the hands, indices and bezel marker are coated with Super-Luminova C3. It is fitted with an automatic Swiss movement and an ultra-thick anti-reflective sapphire glass, and is watertight to a depth of 300m.
Lgion_trangre_akpq2n

Urban Club 42.5mm, steel, leather strap, with pin buckle, automatic sapphire-crystal, 20 atm, with Power-reserve, Ref.:AG7XLS2

Légion

The Foreign Legion is, without a doubt, the most prestigious army corps in the French Army. On the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Camerone, MATWATCHES was honored to be able to participate in this event by creating two original watches, one was an automatic taken from a prestige series limited to 150 copies and a quartz chronograph. Due to the success of these series, we are proud to announce the creation of two new Limited Editions in 2017. An automatic electric (Hybrid) watch which inscribes itself in the timeless code of the military watch: natural tanning oily leather strap, large surgical steel case, readability and simplicity of the dial, with the subtle details of the codes from this elite institution. We have chosen an hybrid mechanism in order to increase the power reserve up to 120 days and guarantee a strict accuracy.
Club_web_w5r4ut

Urban Club 42.5mm, steel, textile ribbon, with folding clasp, automatic Cal. ETA 2824-2, sapphire-crystal, 20 atm, Ref.:AG7XLA9

Club

Military uniform has always been an inexhaustible source of inspiration for the fashion industry. Military apparel has to be simultaneously functional and tactical, while expressing its own distinctive style. This approach also applies to watchmaking: military watches have always been a key source of creative input for contemporary watch designers. As a brand, MATWATCHES is uniquely placed in France to draw on this heritage. Following the success of the “État-Major” 39mm diameter military staff timepiece, MATWATCHES was keen to develop a sport-chic watch drawing on the brand’s core aesthetic and historic design features. The 42.5mm diameter Urban Club watch therefore revisits the very neo-vintage lines of the California in a larger and more contemporary format. It has been styled for action men who enjoy sport, the good life, yachting, and long weekends on the coast. In this respect, it can claim an illustrious pedigree in the history of sports timepieces. It features a 2.8mm domed sapphire glass, is watertight to a depth of 200m, and comes with a set of three interchangeable straps (black tactical, tawny leather, and genuine rubber). As a nod to the MATWATCHES brand’s military roots, the crown is positioned at 9 o’clock to give this sporty yet traditional timepiece a uniquely authentic allure when worn. Elegant and reliable, it complements every wrist and can deservedly claim to be a fully-fledged all-terrain watch. It ticks all the new sport-chic classic boxes.