A Brief History of Mk II Watches (a work in progress)

[m.and]

Hello all,

I am finally ready to submit a project I thought about doing for quite some time. Having been a fan of Mk II watches for a while (especially the discontinued parts) I decided to compile a short history of the watch brand. What I present now is by no means complete, but I wanted to post this rough draft to get everyone's opinion of where I'm heading.

If anyone has any comments, corrections, criticisms, or words of encouragement, I would love to hear it all.

Bill, if you happen to read this and notice any gross inaccuracies or omissions, would you kindly let me know?

The text starts in the post below.

Regards,
Matthew

[m.and]

A Concise History of Mk II Watches

Bill started Mk II Watches in 2002 by offering aftermarket custom parts for Seiko divers and some Swiss watches as well as customized Seikos.

By the end of 2003 (Dec.?) Bill started selling the Ollech & Wachs MP pilot watch customized with either a Type 48 or Type 53 dial. This provided the basis for development of the Quad 10 model.

The Quad 10, a 100% Mk II watch loosely based on the IWC/JLC Mark 11, was released early in 2005 with several custom options including 5 dial types and 3 hand sets. The Blackwater is also announced as coming soon.

At the beginning of 2006 the Blackwater, MKII’s first dive watch (based on the Benrus Type I dive watch), is released and can be customized with 10 different dials, 5 different hand sets, bezel options and more.

A year later, in 2007, pre-orders open for the Stingray 50, Mk II’s take on the original Blancpain Fifty-Fathoms dive watch. Custom Seikos, made by Bill himself, are discontinued in January 2007.

A preview of the Sea Fighter, a watch that takes design cues from German BUND watches, is announced late spring of 2007 and custom orders for the Stingray commence. The options for the Stingray were a whopping 14 dials, 9 hand sets and 3 bezel types.

Not long after the Sea Fighter, the Vantage is announced in August of 2007. Based on the Rolex 1016 Explorer, you could customize it with one of 7 dials (including 5 previously available on the Quad 10) and 4 hand sets.

By the end of 2007 Mk II offered 4 different models: Blackwater, Stingray, Vantage and Seafighter, all with numerous custom options.

Spring of 2008 saw the unveiling of Mk II’s first watch with a GMT complication, the LRRP (short for Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol). Based on the Rolex Explorer II of the 70’s it was available in several GMT configurations as well as an homage to the Rolex Military Submariner. A helium escape valve was also an option.

In January of 2009 Mk II finally got it’s own dedicated forum on the watch enthusiast website, watchuseek.com. That same month pre-orders opened for the (in)famous “Bond Sub” homage, eventually named the Kingston.

The first “re-designed” MKII watch was announced at the beginning of 2010. The Paradive was a revamping of the discontinued Blackwater. In March of that year Bill discontinued the parts line for which Mk II was famous and in December he stopped selling parts altogether.

In Mid-2010 discussion of the next big project started. It was decided that the watch, dubbed Project 300, would be inspired by the Omega Seamaster 300 issued to the Royal Navy by the British Ministry of Defense in 60’s and 70’s. Bill also hinted at a redesign of the Stingray.

Bill announced, in May 2011, that the Sea Fighter would be discontinued after the last two production runs sell out and then redesigned like the Stingray. Another discontinuation followed shortly after with the final production of 40 Vantage models. Bill said the Vantage would be permanently discontinued.

Towards the end of 2011 the Mk II collection was reduced to just 3 regular models: the Seafighter (although discontinued by this time), the LRRP and the Paradive. The GMT 48 version of the LRRP added to the line-up for a brief time. This model was a modification of the standard LRRP with a 48-click GMT bezel similar to the Rolex GMT Master.

After nearly 2 years of development Mk II released a new bezel option for the Paradive in January 2012. It featured a lumed sapphire insert in both an elapsed-time diver style and a 12-hour GMT style. Another special project was also opened for pre-order in January: Project GMT; another homage to a classic Rolex design, the Pan American Airways GMT watch.



Watch Specifications

Mk II QUAD10
(2005-2007)

Dimensions
• Case Width: 40.0 mm not including crown
• Case Thickness: 12.95 mm
• Case length: 51.50 mm end to end
• Lug width: 20.0 mm

Weight: 78 grams

Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal

Luminous: SuperLumiNova rated to glow on a full charge for a minimum of 7 hours.

Movement: ETA 2824, Automatic, hack setting with manual winding capability (Elabore grade)

Water resistance: 10 ATMs (100 meters)

Case Finish: Satin (stainless steel)

Other: Double gasket screw-down crown, metal movement holder. Each watch individually numbered.


Mk II Blackwater
(2006-2010)

Dimensions
• Case Width: 43.20 mm (including crown)
• Case Thickness: 13.30 mm
• Case length: 47.50 mm end to end
• Lug width: 20.0 mm

Weight: 72 grams

Crystal: Double domed sapphire crystal

Luminous: SuperLumiNova rated to glow on a full charge for a minimum of 7 hours.

Movement: ETA 2824-2 (Elabore grade), Incabloc shock protection, hack setting, automatic with manual winding capability.

Water resistance: 20 ATMs (200 meters)

Case Finish: Fine sandblasted finish

Other: Drilled through lugs for ease of strap removal. Regulated in 6 positions for optimal time keeping performance.


Mk II Stingray 50/60/70
(2007-2010)

Dimensions
• Case Width: 42.00 mm (not including crown)
• Case Thickness: 13.70 mm
• Case length: 49.50 mm end to end
• Lug width: 22.0 mm

Weight: 90 grams

Crystal: Double domed sapphire crystal

Luminous: SuperLumiNova rated to glow on a full charge for a minimum of 7 hours.

Movement: ETA 2824-2 (Elabore grade/Rhodium plated), Incabloc shock protection, hack setting, automatic with manual winding capability.

Water resistance: 20 ATMs (200 meters)

Case Finish: Mirror polished 316L stainless steel

Other: Drilled through lugs for ease of strap removal. Double gasket screw-down crown. 120 click unidirectional bezel. Strap: Natural rubber dive strap. Timed in 6 positions for optimal time keeping performance.


Mk II Sea Fighter
(2007-2011)

Dimensions
• Case Width: 42.35 mm (not including crown)
• Case Thickness: 14.22 mm
• Case length: 48.90 mm end to end
• Lug width: 22.0 mm

Weight: 99 grams

Crystal: Double domed sapphire crystal

Luminous: SuperLumiNova rated to glow on a full charge for a minimum of 7 hours.

Movement: ETA 2824-2 (Elabore grade/Rhodium plated), Incabloc shock protection, hack setting, automatic with manual winding capability.

Water resistance: 20 ATMs (200 meters)

Case Finish: Mirror polished 316L stainless steel or fine sandblasted finish

Other: Drilled through lugs for ease of strap removal. Double gasket screw-down crown. 120 click unidirectional bezel. Strap: Natural rubber dive strap. Timed in 6 positions for optimal time keeping performance.


Mk II Vantage
(2007-2011)

Dimensions
• Case Width: 39.0 mm (not including crown)
• Case Thickness: 12.30 mm
• Case length: 47.90 mm end to end
• Lug width: 20.0 mm

Weight: 139 grams with bracelet

Crystal: Double domed sapphire crystal

Movement: Swiss Made ETA 2824, Automatic, hack setting with manual winding capability (Elabore grade)

Water resistance: 20 ATMs (200 meters)

Case Finish: Satin/Polish (stainless steel)

Bracelet: Solid link featuring screw-pin system, solid end-links, fine adjustment, signed safety clasp with heavy gauge deployant arm

Other: Double gasket screw-down crown. Metal movement holder. Each watch individually numbered.



Custom Watch Options

Mk II Quad10

Dials
Type 48 date
Type 48 non-date
Type 53 date
Type 53 non-date
GS date

Hands
hour/minute
Type 48 - silver
Type 53 - silver
Cathedral - silver

seconds
type 48 - glossy white
type 53 - glossy white, glossy red


Mk II Blackwater

Dials
Type I
Type I date
Type II
Type II date
Milsub
Plongeur date
BUND I date
369 Milsub
300 MOD date
Milsub date

Hands
hour/minute
Type I - glossy white (h/m), glossy black (h/m), glossy orange (m)
Stick & Ball - silver
Saber - silver
Plongeur - matte white (h), matte orange (m), matte black (h/m)
MoD Sword - silver, glossy white, glossy orange
BUND II - glossy white
BUND I - matte white (h), matte orange (m)
Sea Serpent - matte white (h), matte orange (m)
OCN - matte white (h), matte orange (m)

seconds
Type I - glossy white
Box - matte white, matte black
Stick & Ball - silver
Milsub - silver
Arrow - glossy white, silver
BUND II - glossy white
OCN - matte white/black

Bezel
US version
RN version

Bezel Insert
12-hour GMT
Diver’s elapsed time
Countdown/GMT


Mk II Stingray

Dials
BUND II date
BUND II
Stingray date
Stingray
Type I
Type I date
Type II
Type II date
Milsub
Plongeur date
BUND I date
369 Milsub
300 MOD date
Milsub date

Hands
hour/minute
BUND II - glossy white
BUND I - matte white (h), matte orange (m)
Sea Serpent - matte white (h), matte orange (m)
OCN - matte white (h), matte orange (m)
Type I - glossy white (h/m), glossy black (h/m), glossy orange (m)
Stick & Ball - silver
Saber - silver
Plongeur - matte white (h), matte orange (m), matte black (h/m)
MoD Sword - silver, glossy white, glossy orange

seconds
BUND II - glossy white
OCN - matte white/black
Type I - glossy white
Box - matte white, matte black
Stick & Ball - silver
Milsub - silver
Arrow - glossy white, silver

Bezel
Type 50
Type 60
Type 70

Bezel Insert
50/70 Diver’s elapsed time, diamond - matte
50/70 Diver’s elapsed time, diamond, acrylic - glossy
50/70 12-hour GMT - matte
50/70 Countdown - matte
50/70 Diver’s elapsed time, RN - matte
60 Countdown/GMT - matte
60 Elapsed time, diamond - glossy
60 Elapsed time, TR - glossy


Mk II Vantage

Dials
Vantage date
369
Type 48 date
Type 48 non-date
Type 53 date
Type 53 non-date
GS date

Hands
hour/minute
SUB - silver
Type 48 - silver
Type 53 - silver
Cathedral - silver

seconds
SUB - silver
type 48 - glossy white
type 53 - glossy white, glossy red

[enkidu]

Edits updated in original post. Thanks!

[m.and]

Edited the original post with enkidu's suggestions. Thanks enkidu.

Thanks to all who have taken the time to read this. I welcome any and all suggestions on how I can better this article.

Regards,
Matthew

[marchone]

Thank you for doing this.

[m.and]

Thank you for doing this.

My pleasure. I'm not finished so be sure to check back for updates.

[Myron]

Hey Matthew,

Looks great. I hope someday this can become a sticky. Wouldn't it be great to see pictures and specifications eventually, too. Also, while we're talking about it, does anyone know the meaning of the name "Quad 10"? I have searched and searched for this but it appears that the only person who (must) know is Bill.

Thanks again for putting this together. Perhaps others can add other pieces.

Well done,

Myron

[m.and]

Myron,

You read my mind. I hope to eventually add the specs and available custom options for each watch to this thread.

As far as the Quad 10 meaning, I think you're right, only Bill knows that one. During my research I did find that the Stingray model is named after the Corvette model of the same name.

From the Mk II website circa Summer 2007:
Named after another design classic and contemporary to the original watch the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray. Both are icons in their respective industries and were cutting edge for the time.

Regards,
Matthew

[m.and]

Updated with more information bringing the timeline pretty much current.

[kkmark]

Updated with more information bringing the timeline pretty much current.

Let me send you something that might be useful for this project.