Since taking a passing interest in the geekery of some of this; a couple of passing observations that may be of interest to those going for ‘fully authentic’.
I’ve noticed the word ‘Phoenix’ is etched on Phoenix G10s on the market. I’ve not paid attention, but in 3 decades, I don’t recall seeing that. Interest ever so mildly piqued, in an idle moment, I asked a colleague to grab me one from stores for me.
Groundtruth: no ‘Phoenix’ etching on Phoenix straps from stores:
And while I’m on the subject; what the hell is this?
Phoenix have been etching their buckles for a good few years now. ISTR it was at a time when Admiralty Grey was the must have colour. There were lots of imitations that were supposed to be Admiralty Grey, but weren't. Adding etched buckles from the MOD supplier guaranteed the correct colour. Suggest the stores one has been kicking about for ages (presumably genuine Phoenix). QMs do not like parting with stuff - stores are for storing, laddie!
Phoenix was added much later on when people started taking an interest in them.
You are to be congratulated for getting something out of the stores that’s a real achievement,we had store men who specialised in never giving us anything
Yup, I suppose my point was, actual issue Phoenix, in my experience, don’t have anything etched on them.
Whether that’s a ‘been on the shelf’ or accumulated stock reason, or not, I’ve never seen an etched ‘issue’ strap through the system.
Ack the ‘being copied’ reason for etching, but I suspect, for the aficionados who, reading some of the threads on here, care about such things, an etched Phoenix G10 is an indicator of ‘for civ market’ and thereby inauthentic.
(I suppose, on that, I’ve only ever seen Phoenix issued; I’ve never seen a CWC G10 strap through the system for a normal G10 watch)
😊
(I hasten to add, I’ve done an early 15k marathon kayak training session since my first post on this - and am just doing this over late breakfast - I do have a life! )
Just digging out the two straps I now have on hand, a few pics for ‘compare and contrast’ - esp the nature of the marking.
… but lengths and colours also inconsistent - I think the market loses sight of the fact that these are ultra cheap throwaway straps.
(And the pics Cause me to wonder if ‘etching’ not only indicates ‘civvy’, but also denotes the change from brass/chrome to stainless?)
And, hopefully, the ebay ‘issue’ pic I tried to post in the 1st post. Issue? With a spring bar buckle?!
Last edited by Brauner Hund; 13th June 2021 at 11:24.
I noticed Phoenix being added on to straps about 10 years ago. Before that they were sterile.
That said I have noticed numerous differences in the straps I have had through the years.
All have 12 holes but they are completely different lengths, different colours and the bars in different locations.
The 3 to the left are not Phoenix the 2 20mm are CWC and these are what are being sent with the new issued watches as I understand the 18mm is an early grey of unknown make but it came on an issued Precista small triangle diver, this has a spring bar buckle. It’s also the shortest strap I have. I have had a few issued straps with spring bars and dare I say it some have been stitched not heat sealed.
I did not bother getting the brand new straps I have in the cupboard out but these show as many differences as those above
I shudder to think of the ‘money’ I have thrown away by chucking manky bits of Nylon in the bin when I have received a new (to me) watch
Last edited by Sinnlover; 13th June 2021 at 11:38.
😂 I thought I was sad with two! 😂😊😊
Yup, I’ve thrown these away over the years.
I think CWC ‘issue’ straps may only be issue on newer dive watch contracts.
I’ve never, ever seen anything other than what I now know to be Phoenix out of the stores.
Issue Precista diver? Didn’t even know there was such a thing! 😂
I’d take some persuading that spring bar buckles have ever been issued - a point of failure/ mechanical weakness on an otherwise robust cheap strap
I take sad b@stard to different levels! All were removed from watches I wear though, I don’t collect bits of nylon. Not yet any way…
I have seen spring bar NATOs over above the one I have. I dont think they were made by Phoenix but someone else. They date from late 80s early 90s as far as I can tell.
Re the Precista Diver, yep four different watches issued, in 82, 88- big triangle, 89- small triangle and 93 - completely different design.
Last edited by Sinnlover; 13th June 2021 at 15:01.
In my 35 years working in a military storage environment,
I’ve never seen issued NATO’s with laser etched buckles and I’ve seen lots.
In the real world tho besides Phoenix I’ve also seen ones with CWC laser etched on them.