Stocker and Yale 650 and 660
Stocker and Yale 650 and 660
There are only 2 tritium illuminated watch manufacturers that ever won a coveted position on the US Government's Qualified Products List (QPL). These are Stocker & Yale (up until they left the watch business in the early 2000's) and Marathon (who currently holds the DOD contract).
The Stocker and Yale (SandY) P650 type 6 is standard issue to Army Rangers, Army Special Forces (the Green Berets), the Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, Land), and the multi-service EOD (Explosives Ordnance Demolition) teams. To date there have been three rounds of P650s: 1995, 1999, and 2000. All seem identical, save the date on the caseback and box.
650 Features
- The non-reflecting black reinforced-polyester injection-molded case is about 46 mm lug-to-lug, 45 mm wide, and 10 mm thick. Issued with a 20 mm black nylon wristband, it's designed for a 22 mm one.
- The P650 is labelled as water- and shock-resistant
- A sapphire glass covers the watch.
- Dial is high-contrast white lettering on a matte black background. Standard 12-hour markings with 24-hour annotation. The distinctive radioactive tri-foil symbol appears on the watch face as does the H3 (Tritium) notation.
- The hour positions, the zero position on the unidirectional bezel, and the hour and minute hands each have a brightly-glowing vial of tritium gas. Taken together they contain less than the personal limit of 25 millicuries. (U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations 10 CFR 30.15.)
Stocker and Yale made only a small number of P650s above their contractual requirements for the government. This surplus must be exported from the USA, per licensing agreements. Several civilian variants of the P650 are seen such as Traser and Luminox.
Sandy 660
A much rarer proposition, issued with stainless steel bracelet and case. Made 1995-1998 and a higher quality step-up from the 650. Perhaps less than 1000 issued to US military personnel.
660 Features
- Ronda Caliber 715 5-jewel quartz/date.
- Screw down crown
- Steel case and bracelet
- 60 click unidirectional bezel
- Supplied to spec. MIL-W-46374F Type 6. NSN 6645-01-364-4042
Notable SandY Models
Links
Credits - https://www.sattlers.org/mickey/tech/horology/wristwatch/sandy-p650.html