The Norwegian watchmaker MICROMILSPEC has carved out a distinct niche for itself by creating purpose-built timepieces for military units and first responders. This background in crafting instruments for professionals who depend on them in critical situations has informed a design philosophy centered on durability, legibility, and function. Now, the brand is leveraging that extensive experience to expand its Annual Collection, making its specialized watches accessible to a broader audience of enthusiasts. The latest introduction, the DUALTIMER Pilot GMT, marks a significant return to the brand’s origins, establishing a new Pilot category and offering a robust, thoughtfully designed watch for global travelers and aviation aficionados.
MICROMILSPEC was founded in 2019, building its reputation not in traditional retail spaces but through direct commissions with specialized groups. The company, with design and development centered in Oslo and manufacturing in Switzerland, has produced watches for over 40 military units. This "made-to-order" approach ensures that each project is tailored to the specific needs of its users, resulting in timepieces that are rigorously field-tested by proxy. This foundation in creating bespoke instruments for demanding environments provides the brand with a level of authenticity and proven capability that is difficult to replicate.
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The introduction of the Exclusive Annual Collection represents a strategic evolution for MICROMILSPEC. It allows the company to distill its core design principles into a series of watches available to the public for a limited time each year. This model maintains a sense of exclusivity while showcasing the brand's expertise across different domains of tool watches. Following the launch of the Field Tested category with the Milgraph, the new Pilot category, inaugurated by the DUALTIMER, solidifies the brand's intention to build distinct families of watches representing the classic classifications of Land, Sea, and Air.
The DUALTIMER Pilot GMT is more than just a new model; it's a direct homage to the brand's very first project: a pilot's watch commissioned for the Royal Norwegian Air Force. This initial undertaking required the creation of a mechanical instrument for aviation professionals who needed to track and synchronize multiple time zones seamlessly. By returning to this theme, MICROMILSPEC is not only paying tribute to its heritage but also demonstrating its continued expertise in this highly specialized genre. The development of other aviation-themed models, like the Hercules for the RNoAF and the Sentry for NATO AWACS personnel, underscores a long-standing connection to the world of flight.
Visually, the DUALTIMER presents a modern, instrumental aesthetic. The design is assertive and functional, eschewing decorative flourishes in favor of clear, purposeful lines. The case is a complex, angular form, moving beyond simple round or square geometries into a distinctive shape that feels both technical and robust. Its brushed stainless steel finish absorbs light rather than reflecting it, reinforcing its character as a tool meant for use, not just admiration. The prominent, knurled bezel and the large, protected crown further contribute to a sense of capability and ruggedness, immediately conveying that this watch is built to perform.
The case is constructed from 316L surgical-grade stainless steel, a material prized for its high corrosion resistance and durability. The dimensions are substantial yet balanced, measuring 42mm in diameter, 15mm in thickness, and 50.3mm from lug to lug. These proportions give the watch a commanding presence on the wrist, suitable for a pilot's instrument, while the thoughtful case geometry and integrated strap design aim to provide a comfortable and secure fit. The entire case is finished with a fine satin brush, a practical choice that minimizes the appearance of scratches and scuffs from daily wear.
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Functionality and user comfort are clearly at the forefront of the case design. It features a screw-in crown, a critical component for achieving its impressive 200-meter water resistance rating, which is well above the standard for many pilot watches. The crown is flanked by a chamfered crown guard, artfully integrated into the case lines to protect it from impacts without digging into the wearer's wrist. The caseback also screws down, a design choice that contributes to both water resistance and a potentially slimmer profile on the wrist. For a personal touch, MICROMILSPEC offers an option for custom engraving of up to 20 characters on the caseback.
Powering the DUALTIMER is the Swiss-made Sellita SW330-2 automatic movement. This caliber is a well-regarded workhorse in the watch industry, known for its reliability and its true GMT complication, where the local hour hand can be independently adjusted. Manufactured in the horological heartland of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, the movement is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality mechanical engineering. It provides the essential functions of hours, minutes, seconds, a date display, and the all-important second time zone hand.
The technical specifications of the SW330-2 are impressive and ensure a high level of performance. The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), which results in a smooth sweep of the seconds hand and contributes to its accuracy. A substantial 56-hour power reserve means the watch can be taken off for a full weekend and will still be running on Monday morning. The inclusion of 26 jewels helps to reduce friction on critical components, enhancing the movement's longevity and durability. MICROMILSPEC states an accuracy rating of ± 7 seconds per day, a solid standard for a mechanical timepiece.
MICROMILSPEC does not simply install a stock movement into its cases. The brand takes the additional step of adjusting the Sellita SW330-2 and fitting it with a custom-branded rotor. This level of modification, while not altering the fundamental architecture of the movement, demonstrates a commitment to quality control and adds a unique brand identity to the watch's inner workings. It signifies that each movement has been individually inspected and regulated to meet the brand's specific standards before being cased.
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The dial of the DUALTIMER is a study in clarity. Its matte black, radially brushed surface is designed to minimize glare, ensuring optimal legibility in the bright conditions of a cockpit or under direct sunlight. The hands and applied hour markers are simple, bold, and filled with a generous application of Super-LumiNova for low-light visibility. The layout is clean and uncluttered, with a discreet date window that provides useful information without disrupting the dial's symmetry. A prominent, arrow-tipped GMT hand, distinct from the main handset, points to the 24-hour scale, making it easy to track a second time zone at a glance.
The GMT complication is central to the DUALTIMER's identity. This function allows the wearer to track two time zones simultaneously, an indispensable feature for pilots, frequent travelers, and anyone coordinating with people in different parts of the world. The fourth hand completes a full rotation once every 24 hours, pointing to the corresponding hour on the bezel. In concert with the bezel, which can be rotated, the watch is even capable of tracking a third time zone, making it an exceptionally versatile travel companion.
One of the most innovative and practical features of the DUALTIMER is its dual-color lume application. MICROMILSPEC has employed two different colors of high-performance Super-LumiNova X1 to functionally separate the time-telling elements in the dark. The primary, local time display—the hour hand, minute hand, and dial indexes—glows in a vibrant green. Meanwhile, the home or second time zone display—the GMT hand and the numerals on the 24-hour bezel—glows in a contrasting blue. This intelligent design allows the wearer to instantly and unambiguously distinguish between local and home time, even in complete darkness, removing any potential for confusion.
Protecting the dial is a domed sapphire crystal, a premium material known for its extreme scratch resistance, second only to diamond. The crystal is treated with an anti-reflective coating, which further enhances legibility by reducing glare and reflections. The bezel surrounding the crystal is a key functional element, marked with a 24-hour scale and infused with Super-LumiNova X1. This allows the secondary time zone to be read clearly in low-light conditions, a feature often overlooked on less purpose-driven GMT watches.
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The DUALTIMER is offered with a choice of straps that are seamlessly integrated into the case lugs, creating a cohesive and flowing design. The options include a brushed stainless steel bracelet that matches the case finish, a durable and comfortable black rubber strap, or a classic black leather strap. The integrated design ensures there is no unsightly gap between the strap and the case, giving the watch a more refined and complete look. The 20mm lug width is a standard size, offering flexibility for owners who may wish to explore other aftermarket strap options.
The ownership experience begins with the presentation. The watch arrives in a high-quality display box with a glossy piano lacquer exterior and a soft-touch interior, signaling that this is a premium product. The box is thoughtfully designed with three compartments, providing space for the watch, any optional straps, a spring bar tool for changing them, and the certificate of authenticity. This attention to detail in the packaging elevates the entire experience of acquiring the watch.
Inside the box, new owners will find several thoughtful extras that speak to the brand's military-inspired heritage and customer focus. A complimentary custom military patch is included, providing a tangible connection to the brand’s roots. A premium, MICROMILSPEC-branded fiber cloth helps keep the watch pristine. A hidden compartment within the box cleverly houses the strap-changing tool and provides extra space for additional straps, keeping all the watch's accessories neatly organized in one place.
MICROMILSPEC backs the DUALTIMER with a class-leading 5-year international warranty. This comprehensive coverage protects against all manufacturing defects, including issues with the movement, dial, hands, and even the strap. The brand’s policy is straightforward: if a problem arises due to a fault in their manufacturing, they will repair the defect or replace the watch entirely. This robust warranty provides significant peace of mind and demonstrates the company's confidence in its materials and craftsmanship.
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The DUALTIMER Pilot GMT is positioned as a specialized, high-performance tool watch from a brand with deep roots in professional-grade equipment. As part of the Exclusive Annual Collection, it represents a unique opportunity for watch enthusiasts to acquire a timepiece built with the same ethos as the custom-ordered military pieces, but designed for a civilian audience. The establishment of the Pilot category signals a clear direction for the brand as it continues to build out its public offerings.
The first edition of the MICROMILSPEC DUALTIMER Pilot GMT is being released as part of this year's Annual Collection and is limited to just 75 pieces, ensuring its exclusivity. The price begins at $1,955 USD, offering considerable value given the Swiss GMT movement, high-end materials, and thoughtful design details. Orders for this limited run are set to open in August 2025, with an expected delivery window in the first quarter of 2026. This release structure reinforces the brand's small-batch, high-quality production model, making the DUALTIMER a compelling proposition for those seeking a distinct and capable pilot's watch.
Case: 42mm diameter, 12.5mm thickness, 50.3mm lug-to-lug. Brushed 316L surgical grade stainless steel. Domed sapphire crystal with AR coating. Screw-in crown and caseback. Water resistance 200m (20 ATM). 24hr bezel with Super-LumiNova X1.
Movement: Sellita SW330-2 automatic GMT. Swiss Made. 56-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph (4Hz), 26 jewels. Adjusted by MICROMILSPEC and fitted with a custom rotor. Functions include hours, minutes, seconds, date, and second timezone.
Dial: Matte black with radial brushed finish. Super-LumiNova X1 on hands and indexes. Pilot theme with date window.
Strap: 20mm integrated strap. Available options include a brushed stainless steel bracelet, black rubber strap, or black leather strap.
Price: From USD $1,955.
Notes: Limited to 75 pieces for the 1st Edition Annual Collection. Features a functional bi-color lume setup: green for local time (dial/hands) and blue for home time (GMT hand/bezel). Orders open August 2025 for expected delivery in Q1 2026.