Following a request from the USA Military for a wristwatch with a luminous tritium-tube show, Traser was created in 1989, and tactical watches nonetheless symbolize a core pillar of the model’s fashionable catalog. Inside Traser’s present lineup, the P99 collection serves because the up to date successor to the unique P6500 Sort 6 that was first provided to the US Military. The Swiss instrument watch model now provides its fashionable P99 tactical watch in a number of completely different configurations. Among the many Traser’s releases to debut in direction of the top of 2024 is a premium expression of the P99, and the Traser P99 A Tactical Carbon expands upon the collection with an automated motion, a carbon fiber dial, and a re-worked show punctuated by brilliant crimson accents.
From a basic design standpoint, the Traser P99 A Tactical Carbon follows the core blueprint of the usual quartz P99 Q Tactical fashions, with a dual-case construction that consists of a chrome steel inside part mounted inside an outer framework produced from carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. In contrast to the titanium P99 T Tactical, which encompasses a simplified case with easy sides, the P99 A Tactical Carbon adheres to the identical total design as the usual carbon-composite fashions, and it contains giant cut-outs alongside the lateral sides that reveal the stainless-steel inside part that homes the motion. Identical to different P99 watches, the Traser P99 A Tactical Carbon encompasses a flat sapphire crystal with a signed screw-down crown between two guards at 3 o’clock; nonetheless, not like its quartz siblings, a display-style caseback is fitted to the reverse facet of the watch to showcase its inside self-winding motion.
As for the motion itself, contained in the case of the Traser P99 A Tactical Carbon resides the acquainted Sellita SW200, which is definitely within the working for being the one most prevalent Swiss automated caliber at the moment in manufacturing. Operating at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with an influence reserve of roughly 38 hours, the Sellita SW200 provides completely unremarkable (albeit acceptable) on-paper specs; nonetheless, it’s also a extremely confirmed design that’s trusted by a whole bunch of various manufacturers all through the trade. For a reasonably priced instrument watch just like the P99 A Tactical Carbon, a dependable known-quantity motion will all the time be preferable to the newest unproven tech, and the venerable Sellita SW200 finally represents a completely sensible and applicable selection.
When it comes to its dimensions, the case of the Traser P99 A Tactical Carbon measures 46mm in diameter by 13.5mm thick, though its complete top is available in at 14mm in the event you embrace the raised cardinal-point tabs on its bezel, that are supposed to assist shield its crystal from impacts. In the meantime, the lugs of the watch are set an ordinary 22mm aside and prolong to create a relatively sizable total lug-to-lug profile of 54mm. Not together with its strap, the P99 A Tactical Carbon weighs roughly 79 grams, and regardless of not explicitly being a dive watch, this premium rendition of the P99 nonetheless provides a dive-capable 200 meters of water resistance. Equally, the bezel on the P99 A Tactical Carbon encompasses a 60-minute timing scale, though it strikes bi-directionally with a 60-click motion, which makes it extra handy than a unidirectional dive bezel for many day-to-day timing functions.
The dial of the Traser P99 A Tactical Carbon represents probably the most important visible distinction in comparison with the quartz P99 fashions, and it encompasses a solid carbon floor with glowing tritium tubes embedded on the hour markers. Identical to its quartz siblings, a big angled chapter ring surrounds the dial with Arabic numerals situated on the five-minute markers; nonetheless, relatively than that includes a twin day/date show at 3 o’clock, the P99 A Tactical Carbon omits the day indicator completely, and it as an alternative opts for a big arc-shaped date aperture that spans all the lower-left perimeter of the dial. Because the date window concurrently exhibits seven completely different values, a small crimson arrow is used to point the present date, and matching crimson accents seem on each the calendar disc and the 2 central time-telling palms.
Simply as you’ll count on, luminescence is in abundance on the Traser P99 A Tactical Carbon. The palms and hour markers all obtain glowing tritium gas-filled tubes, plus two smaller tubes seem on both facet of the model’s brand on the dial, and two extra tritium tubes are embedded in a cross-formation inside the zero marker of the bezel. Whereas the vast majority of the tritium tubes glow inexperienced, orange tubes are positioned on the seconds hand and 12 o’clock marker to assist present orientation in darkish environments, and because of the radioactive nature of the tritium gasoline that fills them, all the tubes will glow constantly for as much as 25 years, no matter whether or not they obtain any mild publicity. With that in thoughts, photo-luminescent particulars additionally seem on the P99 A Tactical Carbon, and together with having Tremendous-LumiNova utilized to the cardinal factors on its bezel, the crown receives a luminous ring, and even the gasket securing the entrance crystal emits a green-colored glow at midnight.
Just like a lot of its watches, Traser provides the P99 A Tactical Carbon with a handful of various straps, and patrons have the choice of selecting between a black rubber two-piece strap (ref. 110961), a black nylon NATO strap (ref. 111355), or the grey camouflage NATO strap featured right here (ref. 110960). Comprised of asymmetrical sections in black and two completely different shades of grey, the fabric used for the camouflage NATO strap encompasses a easy silky texture, and it’s accomplished by stainless-steel {hardware} with a signed buckle that has all been completed black to match the darkish hue of its carbon-composite case. Among the many trio of obtainable choices, I personally really feel that the grey camouflage strap most accurately fits the general aesthetic of the P99 A Tactical Carbon, and together with leaning into the tactical theme of the P99 assortment, the black and grey sample enhances the equally coloured striations of its solid carbon dial.
As a premium enthusiast-driven rendition of the P99, the Traser P99 A Tactical Carbon differs in a number of key methods from its quartz siblings, and most of those departures don’t essentially enhance its performance as a instrument watch. Together with omitting a day indicator completely, most people would are likely to agree that prolonged date home windows displaying a number of values should not the perfect for outright legibility. Equally, a closed caseback would have undeniably been a extra sensible possibility for a function-forward tactical watch, though an identical assertion may very well be stated in favor of a quartz motion, and for individuals who need absolutely the most utilitarian expression of the P99, Traser already provides a extremely function-forward configuration within the type of its commonplace P99 Tactical fashions.
Right now’s instrument watch manufacturers discover themselves in considerably of an odd place, the place they’re anticipated to make extremely part and practical merchandise, but a good portion of their clients are fans who additionally need a conventional timepiece with an analog show and a mechanical motion. For many who want a tactical timepiece strictly as a instrument, Traser’s quartz P99 fashions are simply the popular possibility. Nonetheless, the P99 A Tactical Carbon is the model supposed for collectors who recognize the design and historical past of Traser’s tactical watches, however who additionally need a timepiece that includes enthusiast-oriented particulars. Priced at $1,165 USD when paired with a NATO strap or $1,220 USD when patrons go for the rubber strap configuration, the Traser P99 A Tactical Carbon prices roughly twice what the model prices for its entry-level P99 fashions, though it undeniably provides extra a premium expertise that brings Traser’s quintessential tactical watch to a extra horologically discerning viewers. For extra info on the Traser P99 A Tactical Carbon, please go to the brand’s website.
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