USMC Tank battalions

Jump to your Tank Battalion:
1st BN • 2nd BN • 3rd BN • 4th BN • 8th BN

Overview

United States Marine Corps Tank Battalion commemorative timepieces.

We proudly present this series of timepieces celebrating the heritage and legacy of the United States Marine Corps Tank Battalions' 97-year history.

As a Marine Tanker, when you wear this watch, you will feel the roar of the tank engines in your soul, the rumble of the tracks, and the smell of diesel and gunpowder will flood back into your mind. As you look down and see your tank's gun tube name on your wrist, you will be reminded of all the hours spent living in, and maintaining, your armored home.

The dirt, the mud, the sand, the smell of the hydraulic fluid, coating the surfaces and infusing into your senses mixed with gun powder and engine oil.

Certainly the feeling of freedom. With your stained coveralls, and boots, you and your crew were never clean till after the wash rack, and then off - back to the barracks.

Going downrange for Table 8 gunnery qualification, and for some, going downrange for real. All the conversations, and jokes with the crew, are forever held within the turret, and the hull of your tank.

The bonds forged through pure will and determination shared between you and your brothers, and sacrifice and stories untold. To succeed, to send it. That feeling connects us though something deeper, a God given blessing.
This is a tribute to those men, and that power. The precision and might of the USMC Tank Battalions. And the Marines that manned them. This isn't just a watch that tells time, this conveys your story.

Each watch in this series is crafted with the same attention to detail, and robustness, that you would expect from military equipment. The 316L surgical-grade stainless steel watch case withstands the rigors of daily life, as well as performing while under fire, and the precision mechanics ensure accurate timekeeping - whether you choose the base-level included Swiss Quartz movement, or the upgraded Swiss Quartz movement with 10-year battery, or decided to upgrade all-the way and get the self-winding Swiss Automatic movement.

This watch isn't an accessory, it's a piece of history on your wrist; memorializing the bravery and commitment of the Marine Tank Battalions. It is designed for those who appreciate the legacy of armored warfare, as tribute to the power and precision of the USMC Tank Battalions. Honor the unyielding spirit of the Marines who operated these mighty machines. Own a piece of this legacy.

General Specs:

The Classic watch is a 42mm case (46mm with the crown). The case thickness is 14mm. From lug to lug is 50mm. The strap width is 22mm.


Water Depth Rating:

The watch is water depth rated to 300 meters (1,000 feet). 


Materials:

The case is 316L surgical grade stainless steel. The glass is sapphire crystal with an inner anti-reflective coating. The bezel-ring is a uni-directional bezel. The crown and caseback are screwed down, ensuring the depth rating.

Watch Straps / Bracelets:

There are a few strap options including black leather with white stitching, black leather with red stitching, black leather with black stitching, brown leather with white stitching or a black rubber strap.


We offer a solid metal bracelet as optional upgrade. And you can opt to get a bracelet link engraved (or multiple) with a patch, graphic or logo.

Dial Design:

  • The dial features your Tank BN logo, along with a side-view of the tank.
  • Then include your favorite slogan / saying, and your gun tube name.

Caseback Design:

  • The caseback engraving is available in either a default SwissPL caseback or upgrade to a fully custom caseback design commemorating your career and service.

Bezel-Ring Design:

  • The bezel-ring color is available in black, blue, red, or green.
  • We also offer a selection of custom black bezels featuring crossed main gun tank rounds: Sabot • MPAT • HEAT • Canister.
  • And finally we offer the option to develop your own Custom Bezel with base color options and design development.

Some example configurations for your custom tank battalion or M88 timepiece. Click on a watch to jump to that Tank BN / M88.

After your order is placed, we will email you a visual mock-up showing your selected options so you can be sure you're getting exactly what you had in mind.

––––– Tank stats –––––

M1A1 HA Abrams

Depleted uranium armor on turret in addition to Chobham composite armor


Operational use: Desert Storm, OIF, OEF, GWOT.
Crew: 4


Armament:
M256 120 mm Smoothbore main gun.
APFSDS (Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot). [Long rod penetrator, made of depleted uranium, with a muzzle velocity of 1,575 m/sec, and a maximum effective range of 3,500 meters.]
M830 HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank).
M830A1 MPAT (Multi-Purpose Anti-Tank).
M1028 CAN (Canister) Think 120mm shotgun shell.
1 x .50 Cal Heavy machine gun in the tank commander’s cupola.
2 x 7.62 mm machine gun.

[One coaxial mounted with the main gun with 5,000 rounds, one mounted on the turret for the loader.]


Weight: 69 Tons.
Speed: 45 MPH (Governed) [I know a guy, that had one at 60 MPH].
Engine: Honeywell AGT1500 multi-fuel turbine engine, 1500 HP.

M60 Patton

M60A1, M60A3: 6 inches (155 mm) on the front glacis and mantle of solid rolled homogeneous armor, ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor).

Operational use: Cold War, Grenada, Lebanon, Desert Storm, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Crew: 4

Armament:
M68A3 105mm main gun.
APFSDS (Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot).
HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank).
HE (High Explosive).
WP (White Phosphorus, Smoke).
1 x .50 Cal Heavy machine gun in tank commander’s cupola.
1 x 7.62mm machine gun [coaxial mounted with main gun.]

Weight: 55 tons.
Speed: 30 MPH.
Engine: Continental AVDS-1790-2 V12, air-cooled twin-turbo diesel engine, 750 HP.

M48A3 Patton

4.3 inches homogenous armor

Operational use: Cold War, Vietnam
Crew: 4

Armament:
M41/T139 90mm.
AP (Armor piercing).
HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank).
HE (High Explosive).
HESH (High Explosive Squash Head).
Anti-Personnel.
WP (White Phosphorus, Smoke).
1 x .50 Cal Heavy machine gun in tank commander’s cupola.
1 x 7.62mm machine gun coaxial mounted with main gun.
M67 Zippo: Flamethrower variant.

Weight: 49 tons.
Speed: 30 MPH.
Engine: Continental AV1790 V12, air-cooled, twin-turbo, diesel engine, 750 HP.

M88A1 Armored Recovery Vehicle
Operational use: Cold War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, OIF, OEF.


Crew: 3


Armament:
1 x .50Cal Heavy machine gun.
The main winch on the M88A2 is capable of a 70-ton, single line recovery, and a 140-ton 2:1 recovery when used with the 140 ton pulley. The A-frame boom of the A2 can lift 35 tons when used in conjunction with the spade down. The spade can be used for light earth moving, and can be used to anchor the vehicle when using the main winch


Weight: 50.8 tons.
Speed: 26 MPH.
Engine: Continental AVDS-1790-2DR V12, air-cooled Twin-turbo diesel engine, 750 HP.

Watch Movement options

The watch is powered by Swiss Ronda 515HC Quartz (battery powered) movement. The battery should last about 2-3 years and then simply send it in for a quick battery swap, and perhaps an overhaul service to remove the years of scratches and marks your timepiece received along the journey. We also offer an upgrade to the Ronda 715Li with a 10-year battery.

Automatic Upgrade:
You can upgrade your timepiece to the Swiss ETA 2824-2 Automatic mechanical (self winding) movement with 25 jewels. This is the same style of movement as found in Rolex, Omega, Breitling. The automatic movement offers a few additional hand styles, including the Mercedes / Sword / Modern / Ploprof hands (we will send you visuals of each style when we're creating your mock-up).

An Automatic is another term for “self-winding”, meaning the watch winds itself using a rotor weight inside the timepiece which oscillates to apply tension on the mainspring of the movement through the random motion of the watch owner’s arm. This movement does not require a battery, but does require manual winding every few days using the crown to fully “charge the mainspring” and increase the timepiece’s accuracy because it’s running at full power. You should send your watch in for routine service every few years, to check and replace gaskets - just like your precision firearms, which you routinely clean and oil, a mechanical timepiece requires this care as well.

Handcrafted In America

Swiss Components with American Craftsmanship designed to Tell Your Story. We receive our components like a lego-box from our partner factories; and then assemble each timepiece per the design requirements and specifications since each watch is “made to order”.

CUSTOM BEZEL-RINGS

We offer a few custom bezel ring options, each handcrafted to order - starting with a cerakote base layer and then individually applied art engraving.
Or you can upgrade your timepiece to feature a fully custom bezel design created specifically to you.
SABOT - MPAT - HEAT - CANISTER

We've gotten snapshots from customers of our watches in some of the most challenging environments, worn by some of the most discerning clientele, doing the unspoken job. [Don't worry, we keep this stuff confidential - unless cleared to showcase.]

––––– These images are generously provided courtesy of Captain John "Tank" Voss, USMC. –––––

USMC Tank BN Flask

Featuring your BN logo and side-view of your Tank or M88.

These custom flasks are available in limited numbers.

1ST tank bn

The 1st Tank Battalion, active from 1941 to 2021, epitomized armored excellence in the US Marine Corps. With a storied history spanning from the Guadalcanal campaign in World War II to modern conflicts like the Iraq War, this battalion's legacy is marked by its motto 'Steel on Target'. It stands as a testament to the bravery, precision, and innovative spirit of the Marines who served within its ranks.

2nd tank bn

The 2nd Tank Battalion, active from 1941 to 2021 and nicknamed 'Iron Horse,' was a cornerstone of armored warfare in the US Marine Corps. With a distinguished record in pivotal battles like Tarawa, Saipan, and Okinawa, and later in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, the battalion's legacy as 'Ace in the Hole' symbolizes its unwavering strength and strategic prowess in the face of adversity.

3rd tank bn

The 3rd Tank Battalion, active from 1942 to 1992, was a key player in the US Marine Corps' armored warfare history. Renowned for its pivotal role in the Pacific theater of World War II, especially at Iwo Jima, and later in Vietnam and the Gulf War, the battalion embodied its motto 'Shock, Mobility, Firepower!' through its significant contributions to critical battles and campaigns.

4th tank bn

The 4th Tank Battalion, active from 1943 to 2020, was a formidable force in the US Marine Corps Reserve. Renowned for its rapid deployment and versatility, the battalion saw action in major conflicts from World War II to the Global War on Terror. Its motto '53 Days' reflects its swift response and readiness, marking its legacy in battles like Iwo Jima, Inchon, and Desert Storm.

8th tank bn

The 8th Tank Battalion, a key component of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, has a rich history of adaptability and combat readiness. From its origins in 1949 to its pivotal role in Operation Desert Storm, the battalion has exemplified the Marine Corps' ethos of versatility and strength. Equipped with the formidable M1A1 Abrams tank, the 8th Tank Battalion stands ready to provide decisive armor support in various combat scenarios.

M88 Recovery Vehicle

The M88 Recovery Vehicle, a cornerstone of armored recovery operations in the United States Armed Forces, has been an indispensable asset since its introduction in 1961. Designed on the chassis of the M48 Patton and M60 tanks, the M88 series, including the advanced M88A2 HERCULES, plays a vital role in repairing and recovering damaged combat vehicles under fire. Its capabilities extend beyond mere recovery; it provides auxiliary power, refuels vehicles, and assists in combat engineering tasks. With a robust design and versatile functionality, the M88 ensures the operational readiness and mobility of armored units in various combat scenarios, truly embodying the adage, 'You can't fight if you can't drive.'

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