Heritage “Decima Flottiglia M.A.S.� Collection Worldwide Exclusive Official License
Exclusive Watch Collection dedicated to the “Decima Flottiglia M.A.S.”
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Since 2008 Memphis Belle has obtained the official and exclusive license to use worldwide the name and logo of the “Xa M.A.S.” Memphis Belle, former licensee of several brands as Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force), P.A.N. - Frecce Tricolori (National Acrobatic Flight Patrol of Italy), Italian Army and Navy, plays a leading role in the market sector of military issued watches and time measuring instruments for professional use. In 2008 the Company decided to produce an exclusive collection dedicated to our heroes of the Decima Flottiglia MAS, officially becoming the sole and worldwide exclusive licensee of the registered trademark of the Veteran’s Association Xa MAS, the only official organ - legally recognized - that brings together all the veterans and combatants of WW1 and WW2 and which was founded directly by Commander Junio Valerio Borghese himself in 1952. Thanks to the experience gained on duty and through the application of the best technologies available, the Company has pursued a level of excellence and extreme specialization, creating superior quality watches that stand out for their performance in extreme conditions. The design study section, directly linked to military operational needs, is characterized by its remarkable qualities of innovation; the design of the watches is featured by the coexistence of technical elements and elements of style, a winning combination that is the recognized signature of Memphis Belle - Military Watches. The higher quality standards of the watches produced by the Genoese Company have made it increasingly successful, allowing in 22 years of presence on both the governmental and consumer markets, a widespread diffusion of the brand at national level in Italy and the progressive opening to foreign markets all over the world. The Company produces super-professional divers and chronographs crafted with the highest grade materials and technical contents perfectly responding to the needs of the military and professional operators, as well as certified with the most restrictive norms and regulations (ISO, COSC, STANAG, etc.). Our timepieces are currently issued to many special corps and armies of the world, being used on land, sea and sky, for operational purpose in important and delicate national and international military missions. The choice of the materials and the design and production methods of the each timepiece, are calibrated to obtain the maximum in terms of performance, functionality and reliability, in a perfect combination of strength and precision. The cases and bracelets of Memphis Belle watches are made of austenitic and super-austenitic stainless steels and/or of pure titanium, a very light and hypoallergenic metal connoted by excellent characteristics of durability, strength, magnetic resistance and corrosion-proof too. But that’s not all: recently, the Company has also introduced ceramics and composites (kevlar, carbon, fiber-reinforced polyurethane, etc.) to offer cutting-edge products with superior technical / functional specs. These are the same materials that are used for the construction of submarines, aircrafts and space mission vehicles. The water resistance of the watch cases varies from 10 ATM (100 meters) to 120 ATM (1200 meters) and the bracelets are equipped with double safety clasp with over-suit clasp extension. The crowns are screw down with double (or triple) o-ring gaskets, identifiable by the diver’s helmet engraved in relief. All our models adopt a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating, to allow optimal readability even in critical light conditions. The dials can be customized with any department or company logo and both dials and hands are highly visible in the night, because they’re lumed with the Swiss patented non-radioactive Superluminova compound, which is charged with sunlight and releases lume when it gets dark. Each Memphis Belle watch is the result of continuous research and in-depth study of the details which is an absolute guarantee of quality at the service of those who use the watch mainly as a professional tool in extreme conditions.
ERIE SPECI S S AL E IST P AL CI
History of the Xa Flottiglia M.A.S.’ watches In 1935, the Royal Navy of Italy asked Giovanni Panerai to design a watch for extreme underwater usage. Its users were supposed to be the navy divers and the “Gruppo Gamma”, a small experimental squad of assault swimmers - a sort of frogmen commando -composed by servicemen coming from the Royal Navy, the Royal Army and the MVSN (Voluntary Militia for National Security) trained secretly at La Spezia. In 1936 the first prototype is presented, while a group of officers of the Royal Navy led by Teseo Tesei, begins the study of some special underwater assault vehicles to be used in a possible conflict; for the moment this study is left aside, as the winds of war aren’t blowing yet, even from a distance. In 1938 the first supply of a dozen 3646 caliber timepieces with California dial, all provided by Rolex, was delivered to the first submarine group (in which the Gamma commandos operated), where the experimental assault vehicle are being studied. The war is inexorably approaching, but the special vehicles and resources are not ready yet, also due to the two-year period ‘38/’40 in which the project of assault vehicles was inexplicably left on the sidelines. However, the department of the Ia Flottiglia M.A.S. (the acronym that composes the secret weapons of the future Xa MAS), is emerging: the recruitment of men is very strict, it’s focused on physical excellence and creates a corps composed of super professionals of the highest moral level as well as forged by superior physical qualities, both qualities indispensable in consideration of the means and the delicate tasks reserved for them. The department is closely dependent on Admiral Aimone of Savoy-Aosta. The school of scuba divers and frogmen under the orders of Commander Wolk will also enter the flotilla ensemble. The conflict begins and the first missions begin too, Gibraltar and Alexandria above all. Panerai 3646 watches are issued, so they are on the wrist of each Gamma assault frogman. Those who went out on a mission wore it on their wrists and the watch became consequentially part of their equipment. Almost all of them had the California dial, the future boxed dial was however already being studied. Unfortunately, due to the mainly experimental means and vehicles used and the not yet refined instruments too, the first operations are unsuccessful and the successes are very few; in March 1941 the division finally takes the name of “Xa Flottiglia M.A.S.”, led by the commander Frigate Captain Moccagatta. The first real success is the sinking of the cruiser York in Souda bay, Crete. On the wave of this undertaking, operation Malta is planned: the entire flotilla is engaged, with underwater and surface vehicles; unfortunately it will be a daring operation but also a failure, in fact many men fell under the fire of the British and in particular the commanders Moccagatta and Giobbe and great men of the caliber of Teseo Tesei and the Lieutenant Doctor Falcomatà lost their lives. The deputy governor of Malta, Sir Edward Jackson, recalling the episode on October 4, 1941 wrote: «Last July the Italians conducted an attack with great decision to penetrate the port, using M.A.S. (Motoscafi Auto-Siluranti = torpedo boats) and “human torpedoes” armed with “suicide squads” (...). This undertaking required the highest qualities of personal courage ». After Malta, the reins of the Flotilla are passed in the hands of C.F. Ernesto Forza, coming from the IIa Flottiglia M.A.S., new resources were then assigned to the assault departments, while the new “Gruppo Gamma”, made up of the aforementioned assault swimmers, joined the underwater and surface departments. The failures were however useful for accumulating experience and developing techniques, equipment and materials, which until then, were still absolutely experimental. If Malta had a different epilogue, it could have influenced the outcome of the war differently and this became a strong incentive to do better. The assignment to divers and Gamma of the 3646 watches (which from now on, are fitted with the classic Radiomir Panerai dial) continues regularly. After the partial success of Gibraltar, in December ‘41 the operation of Alexandria in Egypt marks one of the most glorious pages of the Italian Navy ever: the Commander Borghese brings with his submarine Scirè 3 SLC with 6 operators at the entrance of the port, he assigns 3 objectives: the 2 largest British warships in the Mediterranean, the Valiant (De La Penne and Bianchi), the Queen Elizabeth (Marceglia and Schergat) and an aircraft carrier (Martellotta and Marino) which however is absent, therefore the two fall back on the tanker Sagona which in the explosion also damages the destroyer Jervis. The 2 battleships will remain at anchor for years before returning to shore because they were severely damaged. On the wrist of Emilio Bianchi and Durand De La Penne there was the Radiomir Panerai 3646 and, as a testimony of the soldiers, it’s known that the watch was the first trophy taken by the British after their capture, together with the ARO (Auto-Respiratore ad Ossigeno = oxygen self-contained breathing apparatus). In another operation theater, in the Black Sea, where a column of surface assault vehicles named after Commander Moccagatta operated, his Radiomir Panerai was taken from V.L. Lucio Visintini, and was never found again; having regard to the acts of heroism carried out by the same, to the wife of the Vessel Lieutenant the Xa M.A.S. assigned another Radiomir 3646 and we know that the watch is still nowadays in good hands ... The command of the flotilla in 1943 passes in the hands of Commander Borghese who begins to study various attack plans from Freetown to New York, using Commander Buttazzoni’s Paratrooper Swimmers, while still thinking about Malta. Another heroic page, however, will be marked by Commander Luigi Ferraro who, as an expert Gamma, in the summer of ‘43, in a solitary action over any human limit, sank - alone by himself - 3 merchant ships from the Turkish coasts of Mersina and Alexandretta; the fourth was saved by pure chance, thanks to a random inspection of the English divers. On his wrist there is always a Radiomir Panerai 3646 with a box dial, which the family still owns today. An anecdote that the family tells, linked to the end of the war, was when Com. Ferraro was in Valdagno and the partisans seized him, they took away his Panerai. After a few days, when his position was clarified, to his amazement, the watch was returned to him intact as a sign of respect. These are just some deeds and a few anecdotes related to the Xa M.A.S. before 8 September 1943. No more than 200 men, an elite built with sacrifice and abnegation, men who in the course of a few years have given prestige to the Italian Navy and with their boldness, sacrifice and Italian ingenuity, have achieved exceptional results: this bunch of Italian Heroes faced up to the largest Navy in the world!
Predator Heritage: the return of the bronze age 2018 marks the 20th year of activity of the Memphis Belle watch company which for this remarkable achievement launches a model destined to leave an indelible mark of its presence in the panorama of professional military watchmaking. Our Heritage model commemorates the first operational watch we made, also named Predator. This new version, produced in a Limited Edition, it’s however made of fine marine bronze CuSn8. The Predator Heritage is specifically dedicated to the “Xa Flottiglia M.A.S.” and it bears on it’s dial the mythical skull with the rose in its mouth, a symbol of the historic army corps. The charm of bronze, applied to the unparalleled appeal of military watches with pillow case, is the surprising new trend in the luxury watch market. An ancient material such as the history of humanity, bronze, is a corrosion-resistant metal alloy, which naturally develops a unique patina over time and is widely used in the construction of ships, to manufacture portholes, bells, metal seals and nautical instruments . Let’s not forget the first diving suits, which were made of bronze. Until nowadays, bronze had never been directly connected to watchmaking industry, because of its difficult manufacturing process! Today tastes have evolved, so having on the wrist this beautiful and ever-changing alloy, made of copper and tin, or aluminum, nickel or beryllium, is a sophistication for true connoisseurs, since it can take on different colors depending on the components that make it up. The use of bronze enhances the nautical aspect of the watch and the different shades of color that are created, according to the conditions of use, make each piece truly unique. Being on the wrist of each collector and experiencing all its activities, it develops a patina resulting from contact with water, from the salinity of the liquid too, from skin pH and every possible contact with all the atmospheric elements. Memphis Belle with his Predator Heritage wanted to emphasize further this effect, giving each collector the opportunity to choose three different grades of aging of the marine bronze case: 1) brand new, brushed bronze case, which naturally ages as a result of use. 2) case with vintage patina, which has the effect of 5 years of use and shows the first degrees of oxidation, veering towards darker tones. 3) case with super vintage patina, which has the effect of 50 years of use with a widespread blue oxidation of bronze, such as oceanic wrecks and relics. This unique process has been completely studied and handcrafted inside the Maison Memphis Belle in Genoa.
PREDATOR HERITAGE AUTOMATIC Mod. H2
Mod. H1
Mod. H3
PREDATOR HERITAGE AUTOMATIC Mod. H4
Mod. H5
Predator Heritage Automatic - Case: Cushion shaped marine bronze CuSn8 case, brushed finish and screw down security lugs. 3 unique grades of aging available, upon each customer’s request: 1. New/untouched (natural bronze, shiny surface) 2. Vintage patina (5 yrs. on the seabed, brownish tone) 3. Super vintage patina (50 yrs. oceanic relic, greenish tone) - Dimensions and Water Resistance: diameter Ø 46mm, 30ATM / 300m w.r. ISO 6425* standard. - Bezel: One-piece CuSn8 bronze fixed bezel with 3D engraved writings. - Caseback: Screw down s.s. caseback, bronze PVD coated. 3D engraved with the Xa M.A.S. logo and tech specs. - Glass: Double domed 2000 Vickers sapphire crystal with double AR coating. - Movement: Swiss ETA 2824.2 “top grade” automatic movement, 25 jewels with Etachron regulator and Nivacourbe patented antishock system, 42 hrs of power reserve, customizer rotor with MB logo. - Dial: 3D minted dial with super vintage molded looking finish, superlumed indexes and skull. - Hands: Brushed and artificially aged, superlumed. - Strap: Hand made Italian super vintage suede strap with burned Xa M.A.S. logo, reinforced stitches, sweat resistant internal coating. + extra thick tactical ISO rubber strap. - Buckle: Solid bronze buckle, with SLC torpedo 3D embossed (a.k.a. “maiale”).
PREDATOR HERITAGE HAND WOUND Mod. HM2
Mod. HM1
Mod. HM3
PREDATOR HERITAGE HAND WOUND Mod. HM4
Mod. HM5
Predator Heritage Hand Wound - Case: Cushion shaped marine bronze CuSn8 case, brushed finish and screw down security lugs. 3 unique grades of aging available, upon each customer’s request: 1. New/untouched (natural bronze, shiny surface) 2. Vintage patina (5 yrs. on the seabed, brownish tone) 3. Super vintage patina (50 yrs. oceanic relic, greenish tone) - Dimensions and Water Resistance: diameter Ø 46mm, 30ATM / 300m w.r. ISO 6425* standard. - Bezel: One-piece CuSn8 bronze fixed bezel with 3D engraved writings. - Caseback: Screw down s.s. caseback, bronze PVD coated. 3D engraved with the Xa M.A.S. logo and tech specs. - Glass: Double domed 2000 Vickers sapphire crystal with double AR coating. - Movement: Swiss Unitas 6497-2 “top grade” manual wind movement, 17 jewels with Etachron regulator and Incablock antishock system, 60 hrs of power reserve, ruthenium black plated and Cotes de Geneve decorated plates. - Dial: 3D minted dial with super vintage molded looking finish, superlumed indexes and skull. - Hands: Brushed and artificially aged, superlumed. - Strap: Hand made Italian super vintage suede strap with burned Xa M.A.S. logo, reinforced stitches, sweat resistant internal coating. + extra thick tactical ISO rubber strap. - Buckle: Solid bronze buckle, with SLC torpedo 3D embossed (a.k.a. “maiale”).
PREDATOR HERITAGE HAND WOUND “SUPER BURIN” 100% HAND ENGRAVED
Mod. H6
Predator Heritage H.w. “Super Burin” 100% Hand Engraved Exclusive edition, entirely hand chiseled by an Italian Master Engraver (only upon order: 3 months wait needed)
- Case: Cushion shaped marine bronze CuSn8 case, brushed finish and screw down security lugs. The case surface is 100% hand chiseled by an expert Italian Master Engraver, bearing some war scenes and logos/writings of the Xa M.A.S.; the entire process takes many hours of precision work, making each watch a wearable and unique piece of art. - Dimensions and Water Resistance: diameter Ø 46mm, 20ATM / 200m w.r. - Bezel: One-piece CuSn8 bronze fixed bezel with 3D engraved writings. - Caseback: Screw down s.s. caseback, bronze PVD coated, with transparent sapphire crystal window. - Glass: Double domed 2000 Vickers sapphire crystal with double AR coating. - Movement: Swiss Unitas 6497-2 “top grade” manual wind movement, 17 jewels with Etachron regulator and Incablock antishock system, 60 hrs of power reserve, 100% hand engraved plates and gearwheels. - Dial: 3D minted dial with super vintage molded looking finish, superlumed indexes and skull. - Hands: Brushed and artificially aged, superlumed. - Strap: Hand made Italian super vintage suede strap with burned Xa M.A.S. logo, reinforced stitches, sweat resistant internal coating. + extra thick tactical ISO rubber strap. - Buckle: Solid bronze buckle, with SLC torpedo 3D embossed (a.k.a. “maiale”).
PREDATOR HERITAGE HAND WOUND “SUPER BURIN” 100% HAND ENGRAVED
PREDATOR HERITAGE METEORITE
Mod. H7
Mod. HM7
Predator Heritage Meteorite - Case: Cushion shaped marine bronze CuSn8 case, brushed finish and screw down security lugs. 3 unique grades of aging available, upon each customer’s request: 1. New/untouched (natural bronze, shiny surface) 2. Vintage patina (5 yrs. on the seabed, brownish tone) 3. Super vintage patina (50 yrs. oceanic relic, greenish tone) - Dimensions and Water Resistance: diameter Ø 46mm, 30ATM / 300m w.r. ISO 6425* standard. - Bezel: One-piece CuSn8 bronze fixed bezel with 3D engraved writings. - Caseback: Screw down s.s. caseback, bronze PVD coated. 3D engraved with the Xa M.A.S. logo and tech specs. - Glass: Double domed 2000 Vickers sapphire crystal with double AR coating. • HM7 - H.W. Movement: Swiss Unitas 6497-2 “top grade” manual wind movement, 17 jewels with Etachron regulator and Incablock antishock system, 60 hrs of power reserve, ruthenium black plated and Cotes de Geneve decorated plates. • H7 - Automatic Movement: Swiss ETA 2824.2 “top grade” automatic movement, 25 jewels with Etachron regulator and Nivacourbe patented antishock system, 42 hrs of power reserve, customizer rotor with MB logo. - Dial: Genuine space meteorite dial with superlumed indexes and skull. - Hands: Brushed and artificially aged, superlumed. - Strap: Hand made Italian super vintage suede strap with burned Xa M.A.S. logo, reinforced stitches, sweat resistant internal coating. + extra thick tactical ISO rubber strap. - Buckle: Solid bronze buckle, with SLC torpedo 3D embossed (a.k.a. “maiale”).
PREDATOR HERITAGE
AGING: GRADES OF BRONZE OXIDATION (PATINA)
New/Shiny (untouched)
5 Yeas on the sea bed 50 Years on the sea bed (brownish mild patina)
(oceanic relic greenish patina)
PREDATOR HERITAGE
PREDATOR HERITAGE
CAIMANO HERITAGE
Mod. C2 Mod. C1
CAIMANO HERITAGE Mod. C3
Caimano Meccanico Heritage -Case: 316L AISI nickel free, solid stainless steel case, brushed finish. Screw down security lugs. - Dimensions and Water Resistance: diameter Ø 45mm, 20ATM / 200m w.r. - Bezel: One-piece unidirectional rotating bezel with diving scale engraved, black PVD coated, luminous dot at 12. - Crown: 3D embossed logo, double o-ring security gasket. - Caseback: Screw down s.s. transparent caseback with sapphire crystal window. - Glass: 2000 Vickers sapphire crystal with double AR coating. - Movement: Swiss Unitas 6497-2 “top grade” manual wind movement, 17 jewels with Etachron regulator and Incablock antishock system, 60 hrs of power reserve, ruthenium black plated and Cotes de Geneve decorated plates. - Dial: 3D minted dial with super vintage molded looking finish, superlumed indexes and skull, small seconds counter at 9 o’clock. - Hands: Brushed and artificially aged, superlumed. - Strap: Hand made italian ‘aquawash’ leather with burned Xa M.A.S. logo, reinforced stitches, sweat resistant internal coating. (Optional, upon request: s.s. shark mesh bracelet or extra thick and XL tactical rubber strap with Memphis Belle writing). - Buckle: s.s. buckle PVD black coated, with SLC torpedo-shaped hole (a.k.a. “maiale”).
PREDATOR HERITAGE S.S. WITH ETCHED CASE
Mod. HS3
Mod. HS2
Mod. HS1
PREDATOR HERITAGE S.S. WITH ETCHED CASE
Mod. HSM3
Mod. HSM2
Mod. HSM1
Predator Heritage S.s. With Etched Case
Mod. HSM4
- Case: Cushion shaped 316L AISI nickel free, solid stainless steel case, brushed/polished finish. The case is entirely decorated with detailed drawings, obtained with a hi-tech industrial process of micro-etching, specifically made for Memphis Belle in exclusive premiere. Screw down security lugs. - Dimensions and Water Resistance: diameter Ø 46mm, 30ATM / 300m w.r. ISO 6425* standard - Bezel: One-piece s.s. fixed bezel with 3D engraved writings. - Caseback: Screw down s.s. caseback, 3D engraved with the Xa M.A.S. logo and tech specs. - Glass: Double domed 2000 Vickers sapphire crystal with double AR coating. • H.W. Movement: Swiss Unitas 6497-2 “top grade” manual wind movement, 17 jewels with Etachron regulator and Incablock antishock system, 60 hrs of power reserve, ruthenium black plated and Cotes de Geneve decorated plates. • Automatic Movement: Swiss ETA 2824.2 “top grade” automatic movement, 25 jewels with Etachron regulator and Nivacourbe patented antishock system, 42 hrs of power reserve, customizer rotor with MB logo. - Dial: 3D minted dial with “Marble” pattern and degrading color, superlumed indexes and skull with blue fluorescence. - Hands: Brushed and superlumed. - Strap: Hand made premium Tuscanian leather strap with degraded color and burned Xa M.A.S. logo, reinforced stitches and sweat resistant internal coating. (Optional, upon request: s.s. shark mesh bracelet or extra thick and XL tactical rubber strap with Memphis Belle writing). - Buckle: Solid s.s. buckle, with SLC torpedo 3D embossed (a.k.a. “maiale”).
H10SBL01.C
H10SGR01.C
H10SBK01.C
H10SBL13.C
H10PGR13.G
H10SBK13.C
PREDATOR HERITAGE MILLE METRI 1000m HELIUM ESCAPE VALVE PRO DIVER
H10PBK01.C
Predator Heritage Mille Metri - Case: Cushion shaped 316L AISI nickel free, solid stainless steel armored case, brushed finish or PVD coated, screw down security lugs. - Dimensions and Water Resistance: diameter Ø 46mm, 100ATM / 1000m w.r. with automatic helium escape valve at 9 o’clock. - Bezel: One-piece undirectional rotating bezel with 120 clicks, brushed finish or PVD coated, each watch is provided with 2 interchangeable bezels (1 ceramic black + 1 matching the dial color), blue emission indexes and lumed dot at 12 o’clock. - Crown: Triple o-ring gasket screw down security crown. - Caseback: Screw down s.s. caseback, 3D engraved with MB logo and tech specs. - Glass: Double domed 2000 Vickers sapphire crystal with double AR coating. - Movement: Swiss ETA 2824.2 “top grade” automatic movement, 25 jewels with Etachron regulator and Nivacourbe patented antishock system, 42 hrs of power reserve, customizer rotor with MB logo. - Dial: 3D minted dial with “Mars” soil pattern and degrading color, superlumed indexes and numbers with blue fluorescence. - Hands: Brushed and superlumed blue tone. - Strap: Hand made Italian leather cowhide (matching the dial color) with tricolor stitches and sweat resistant internal coating. + extra thick XL tactical ISO rubber strap. (Optional, upon request: shark mesh s.s. bracelet). - Buckle: Solid s.s. buckle, with Memphis Belle logo engraved.
H10PGR01.C
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PER L’ONORE
P.zza Campetto, Piazza 2 /della 4 - 10Vittoria, Palazzo9/10 del Melograno - 16121 Genova - 16123 Genova Tel. +39 010 2543205 - +39 010 2543085 www.memphisbellewatches.com - commerciale@memphisbellewatches.com
