Overview of watches dedicated to the GIGN – Part II
The watches designed and produced for the GIGN are most often exclusively made for its members. They can be recognized by the badge of the “group” we can see on the dial and the GIGN patent number that is engraved on the case back.
By Rémy Solnon
Specialised journalist
Watchmaking manufactures have been designing watches specifically for these men of action for numerous years. The watches are clearly recognizable as belonging to this French elite unit and can be worn during interventions.
B.R.M V12-44 GIGN (2011)
The French manufacture B.R.M., famous for its car-racing inspired watches, made a special edition for the GIGN based on the brand’s flagship model, the V12-44. The latter has inspired many other successful limited editions in the past. This model stands out thanks to a large blue stripe on the black dial on which is affixed the GIGN’s badge.
Technical details: 44-mm steel case, 100-meter water resistance, Sapphire crystal, Transparent back, Black tricompax dial with blue stripe and GIGN badge at 12 o’clock, Hour and minute hands, Silver numerals and counters’ contour, Yellow central second hand, Self-winding Valjoux 7753 movement, 46-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date and chronograph
The strap comes in perforated blue leather with double blue and white topstitching and is closed with a pin buckle. The watch was produced in a limited edition of 50 pieces.
Ralf Tech WRX Hybrid II GIGN (2012)
Ralf Tech is a specialist of military watches. For several years now, it has been the supplier for many units of the French Army and Special Forces, including the famous commando Hubert, the elite unite of the “Marine Nationale”. In 2012, the brand designed a watch exclusively for the members of the GIGN’s operational divers’ group who intervene whenever the mission at hand requires a discreet subaquatic approach, particularly in the context of hostage-taking at sea. The WRX Hybrid II GIGN is equipped with a self-winding quartz hybrid caliber. This technology is twelve times more precise than a classic self-winding movement and is coupled with an accumulator recharge. The GIGN men tested the watch in operational conditions for over six months before its release.
A version for the “general public”, named the WRX “A” Hybrid II Black, was also produced.
It is technically and aesthetically identical to the GIGN version except for the logo and the intervention diver patent number engraved on the case back. It is part of the “A” (for Army) range, completely dedicated to military developments.$
Technical details: Non-magnetic 47-mm matt black PVD-treated 316L steel case, 500-meter water resistance, Screwed back and engraved with GIGN’s intervention diver’s patent number, Steel and aluminum unidirectional bezel, Domed sapphire crystal, Matt black dial with date at 3 o’clock and GIGN badge at 9 o’clock, White luminescent hands, Self-winding quartz Hybrid RTH001 movement with accumulator recharge, 60-day power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, diving lapse timing
The NATO strap is reinforced with leather inserts. The strap is available in hypoallergenic silicon with threaded rods. The edition is limited to 100 pieces exclusively made for GIGN members.
Casio G-Shock GD-350 GIGN edition (2014)
Casio’s G-Schock is a fighter’s watch. Solid and precise, it can survive the worst conditions. Many Special Forces and elite units around the world use it. GIGN members use the G-Schock when they are in the field as this watch can survive the very difficult situations in which they sometimes have to intervene and can ensure them complete discretion. On the occasion of the GIGN’s 40th anniversary, Casio introduced a limited edition of the piece.
Technical details: 53.4x50.8-mm matt black resin case, 200-meter water-resistance, Screwed back, Mineral crystal, Liquid crystal dial with digital display, Quartz movement
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph, countdown, universal hours, diving lapse timing
The strap comes with a black resin strap. The watch was produced in a limited edition exclusive for GIGN members.
MAT Watches GIGN (2014)
The French watchmaking brand MAT (for “Mer – Air – Terre” i.e. Sea – Air – Land) specializes in the production of technical watches for military use.
The brand collaborates with several military and police special units which work in extreme conditions (such as RAID – “Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion”, “Démineurs” – bomb disposal experts). These units test the brand’s efficient watches in real and extreme situations. In 2014, MAT Watches produced a specific version for the GIGN whose famous badge was affixed on the dial at 9 o’clock.
Technical details: Non-magnetic 42-mm black PVD-treated steel case, 200-meter water resistance, Reinforced mineral crystal, Matt tricompax black dial with date at 4:30 and GIGN badge at 3 o’clock, Luminescent large hands and numerals, Professional Miyota OS60 quartz movement
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date and chronograph
It comes with a reinforced NATO strap. The production was a limited edition reserved for GIGN members.
Zenith: an abandoned project in 1997
In 1997, the Swiss manufacture Zenith was chosen to design a special edition for the GIGN.
However, the project was abandonedin spite of advanced research having been carried out based on an El Primero Rainbow flyback chronograph and of GIGN members testing prototypes in operational conditions.
GIGN: watches for Special Forces - Part 1
By Rémy Solnon
, Specialised journalist
Watchmaking manufactures have been designing watches specifically for these men of action for numerous years. The watches are clearly recognizable as belonging...