CWC History | British Military Watch Supplier Since 1972

Cabot Watch Company (CWC) is one of the longest-serving suppliers of military watches to the British Armed Forces.

Founded in 1972, CWC was established with a single purpose: to produce reliable, military-specification watches for professional use. Over the past 50 years, CWC has supplied hundreds of thousands of watches to all branches of HM Forces in both peace and conflict.

Unlike many modern watch brands, CWC was never created as a fashion or luxury brand. Its focus has always been on function, durability, and dependability.

Origins: Ray Mellor and Military Watch Supply

CWC was founded by Ray Mellor (above, fourth from the right), a former Merchant Navy serviceman who served during the Second World War.

Following his military service, Mellor built a career in the watch industry and became Managing Director of Hamilton UK, where he was responsible for supplying watches to the British military.

When Hamilton ceased UK operations in the early 1970s, Mellor established Cabot Watch Company to continue supplying the Ministry of Defence under his own company.

1970s: Establishing a Military Supplier

From its formation, CWC quickly secured key military contracts and established itself as a trusted supplier of British military watches.

Early issue models included:

W10 General Service mechanical watches
RAF pilots' chronographs
Navigational and military timing instruments

These watches were issued across the British Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy, built to strict military specifications with a focus on clarity and durability.

1980: Transition to Quartz and Diver Watches

In 1980, CWC supplied the first quartz watch issued to British Forces, the G10 Quartz.

In the same year, CWC was awarded the contract for the Royal Navy divers' watch, replacing the Rolex Submariner.

This marked a significant moment in British military watch history and established CWC as the primary supplier of dive watches to the Royal Navy.

1980s - 1990s: Expansion and Continued Military Supply

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, CWC expanded production and continued to supply a wide range of military timepieces, including:

Royal Navy quartz diver watches
Special Boat Service (SBS) diver watches
RAF and Fleet Air Arm chronographs
General Service (G10) watches in large quantities

At peak production, tens of thousands of watches were supplied annually to British Forces.

1996: Acquisition by Silvermans

In 1996, CWC was acquired by Silvermans Ltd, one of the UK's longest-established suppliers of military equipment, founded in 1946.

Founder Ray Mellor remained involved with the company, passing on his knowledge of military contracts and watch production.

Under Silvermans, CWC continued supplying military contracts while also making watches available to civilian customers.

2000s - Present: Modern Military Watches

Despite changes in defence procurement and the rise of digital timekeeping, CWC has continued to supply analogue military watches to the British forces including Special Forces where clarity and reliability remain essential.

Developments over this period include:

Transition from tritium to modern luminous materials
Re-issues of historically significant military models
Upgraded specifications such as sapphire crystals and improved battery performance

CWC watches remain Swiss-made and built to military specifications, including features such as fixed bars and highly legible dials.

CWC Today: A Genuine Military Watch Manufacturer

Over the past five decades, CWC has produced hundreds of thousands of issued watches worn by all branches of HM Forces. Many original issued watches remain in use today, a testament to their durability and practical design.

Today, CWC is one of the few watch brands with a continuous history of supplying the British military, and remains focused on its original purpose: to produce reliable, military-specification watches for professional use.

That consistency, rather than reinvention or marketing, is what defines CWC today.

Built to military specification. Proven over decades of real use.