Attention! Bausele goes US Army Mil-Spec with their latest creation
Ricardo SimeWhat is a field watch? What is a diver? Those two questions can be answered in so many ways, depending on who you ask. Yet, there are instances when the answers to such questions are highly defined and set in stone. Such is the case when dealing with Mil-Spec watches. Mil- Spec, short for military specifications, are requirements that are clearly defined by a government for any vendor looking to create a watch for soldiers. The requirements are plentiful, so most brands decide not to go down this route. For Bausele, that wasn’t a choice, as they have just released a US Army Mil-Spec collection for all the right reasons.
The US Army Mil-Spec collection is the brainchild of Arron Coote, the CEO of Australian watch company Bausele. He wanted to create a watch that could raise funds for veterans while still having the official Mil-Spec categorisation. To accomplish this, Bausele would have to be the first non-US watch company granted the IP license to do so. Working alongside his friend, US Army veteran Jamal Ali, and with the help of a design “task force” of veterans and watchmakers, they were able to get the US Army licensing department to grant them a licence for the collection.
Here is the result of their months of work and labour.
Bausele US Army Mil-Spec Field Watch Ref.31101
The Bausele 31101 is as classic as you can get for a field watch. Using the standards set forth on page 31 of US Military Specifications MIL-W-46374F, the brand has given us a collection of 38mm-cased watches. Thickness is 12mm while lug-to-lug comes in at 45mm. Water resistance is 100 metres with the aid of a screw-down crown. The domed sapphire crystal is coated with five layers of AR, which beautifully displays a sandwich dial.
Bausele has designed a total of five variants with a mixture of different dial colours and case finishes. For now, they have released just two. A black dial version (limited to 500) and a beige dial version (limited to 250). Both use “Old Radium” luminova for the numerals as well as the hour and minute hands. Their cases are sandblasted with a 24-hour scale and the brand name conveyed in either smoky grey or black. Each watch will come with two straps; an elastic NATO and a two-piece strap made of recycled material.
Powering each watch is the tried and tested Seiko NH38 automatic movement. It comes with 41 hours of power reserve and beats at 21,600 bph. The hacking Japanese movement can be found in dozens of watches and is a great, easily replaceable option for a field watch.
One of the most interesting aspects of the 31101 though has to be the crown. Within it, Bausele has created a small capsule containing soil from military forts located across the USA. This piece of home can also be found in the crown of the second watch in the Mil-Spec collection.
Bausele US Army Mil-Spec Dive Watch Ref.34101
The Bausele 34101 takes its cues from the Mil-Spec guidelines found on page 34 of the MIL-W-46374F. These also come in at 38mm but have a 12.8mm thickness when factoring in the domed sapphire crystal, which as also been treated with 5 layers of AR. Lug-to-lug is 47mm and water resistance is rated to 200 metres. Like the field watch, it also has a no-date display with a total of five different dial and case designs.
Each one of those dials has a sandwich design while also featuring large, legible hands. Each uses the same “old radium” luminova we saw in the field watch.
Powering the Bausele 34101 is the hacking Sellita SW200 movement. It runs at a higher beat rate of 28,800 bph. The power reserve is slightly shorter at 38 hours. It’s interesting to see the completely different movement used here, however, we welcome it.
Final thoughts
It’s one thing to say you want to help. It’s completely different when you actually put that sentiment into motion. The Bausele 31101 and 34101 represent an amazing effort from a foreign brand to help veterans in need. Especially when one considers how Bausele incorporates veterans in all aspects, from their presence in the design team, to the US watchmakers who will be responsible for assembling the watches, all the way to the veterans’ associations that will receive 10% of the sale of each watch. This all-encompassing project is a perfect example of how a watch company can be more than just a watch company, while still bringing something of value to the watch community as a whole.
The Bausele US Army Mil-Spec Collection pricing and availability:
The Bausele 31101, in black or beige, is currently available on their website, and will be limited to only 500 and 200 pieces, respectively. Price: $700 USD
A release date for the Bausele 34101 has not been confirmed. Price will be $1200 USD
| Brand | Bausele |
| Model | 31101 / 34101 |
| Case Dimensions | 38mm x 45mm x 12mm / 38mm x 47mm x 12.8mm |
| Case Material | Brushed Stainless Steel of Black IP Coating |
| Water Resistance | 100 Metres / 200 Metres |
| Crystal(s) | Domed sapphire with 5 layers of AR |
| Dial | Black or Beige |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Strap | NATO and 2 piece strap |
| Movement | Seiko NH38 / Sellita SW200 |
| Power Reserve | 41 hours / 38 hours |
| Availability | 31101 Available / 34101 (Unknown) |
| Price | USD$700 / USD$1200 |