The Watch
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The Marine Nationale is the official name of the French Navy, representing one of the oldest and most capable maritime forces in the world. Established in the 17th century by Cardinal Richelieu, it operates as a core branch of the French Armed Forces, tasked with protecting national sovereignty and projecting power globally. It is one of the few elite "blue-water navies," meaning it possesses the logistical strength and advanced fleet necessary to operate continuously across open oceans worldwide without relying on local coastal ports.
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As a cornerstone of European security, the Marine Nationale has responsibilities that range from global anti-piracy and counter-terrorism operations to securing France's Exclusive Economic Zone, which is the second-largest in the world. Structurally, it is highly advanced, utilizing a full suite of naval capabilities including nuclear-powered attack and ballistic missile submarines, elite naval commandos, and a carrier strike group led by its flagship nuclear aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle.
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The Marine Nationale required specialized wristwatches primarily as critical navigation, tactical synchronization, and life-support tools for their elite combat divers (nageurs de combat) and naval pilots. In an era before digital dive computers, sub-aquatic operations relied heavily on mechanical dive watches to accurately track elapsed dive times and manage decompression stops, which was vital for preventing decompression sickness. Furthermore, because radio silence was strictly enforced during covert operations, precise and highly legible mechanical timepieces were the only way for dispersed teams to synchronize tactical maneuvers, navigation legs, and explosive detonations down to the exact second. In short, for combat divers, a rugged, legible wristwatch was a vital piece of life-support equipment because sub-aquatic operations left absolutely no room for timing errors.
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Ā Today's example is something a little less mainstream but a very serious piece of kit regardless. Beuchat is a dive equipment company founded in Marseille in 1934. In the 1990s, however, they were commissioned to produce watches for the French Navy. This particular example is from 1994 and is accompanied by a decommission paper stating that it is a Watch for "demining" divers at the BREST base and it was part of a military surplus auction in 2003.
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This Watch features in the Marine Nationale book by Watchistry. Page 203. See last pics, all credit to Watchistry and their fantastic book.
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The Specs
Age: c.1994
Reference: 1.187.1.0.04
Movement: Automatic with Centre Seconds.
Calibre: ETA 2824-2.
Timekeeping: Good.
Service History: Unknown.
Dial: Original Beuchat Tritium Dial.
Dial: Original Beuchat Tritium Dial.
Case: All Stainless Steel with Screw Caseback.
Measurements: 42mm. End to End: 45mm
Bezel: Uni-Directional.
Water Resistant?: Rated 1000m. This has not been tested for WR. Do not submerge.
Hands: Original. Cool Snakehead Minute hand.
Crystal: Original Crystal.
Crystal: Original Crystal.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Screw down Crown.Ā
Strap/Bracelet: New 20mm Khaki Military Style strap with Steel fixtures.
Lug Width: 20mm.
GettingĀ Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- In Super Unpolished condition.
- All Original and Correct.
-Snakehead Minute hand.
- 42mm Case.
- 42mm Case.
-Deep Military markings to the back.
-Serious Tool Watch.Ā
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Nitty Gritty:
-Some minor markings to the Case.
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Overall the Beuchat is in excellent condition.
The Dial is in superb condition.
Case is in very good shape.
Caseback markings are nice and deep.
Original Crown.
Original Crystal.
Hands are in lovely shape.