he success story of what is now the legendary P6500 Type 6 began three decades before its initial release. In 1969 and after extensive research, Swiss physicist Oskar Thüler succeeded in using tritium gas to make fine glass capillaries glow for over 25 years – without any external energy source. This was an absolute innovation and marked the birth of mb-microtec and its self-illuminating trigalight technology.

Shortly thereafter, Oskar Thüler and mb-microtec began working on applying the technology to a wristwatch, presenting initial concepts as early as the late 1970s. When the U.S. Department of Defense mandated the use of sealed Gaseous Tritium Light Sources (GTLS) in its official service watches in 1989, the trigalight technology was implemented in a wristwatch for the first time ever.

Shortly afterward came the development and launch of the first in-house self-illuminated watch: the P6500 Type 6, which met the US Army’s MIL-W-46374F specifications and gave rise to the traser swiss H3 watches brand. In line with the requirements, the first traser watch was not only exceptionally easy to read, but also featured a reliable, low-maintenance quartz movement and a lightweight yet robust case. In addition, the instrument had to meet strict standards for altitude and water resistance.

From the ergonomically profiled, bidirectional rotating bezel to the case with its distinctive side and crown guard, all the way to the silky matte dial, the P65 Tactical Mission reflects its historical predecessor. All scales – including the Arabic numerals with a tool-watch-specific 24-hour scale – can be read at a glance and stand out in high-contrast white.

True to “The Original,” the hands with elongated tips, the hour markers from 1 to 11, and the bezel insert are equipped with green trigalight self-illuminating elements. The 12 o’clock marker glows orange in the dark, ensuring reliable orientation. In keeping with the historic archetype, the date display at 3 o’clock completes the dial design focused on maximum clarity. As with the P6500, a 43-millimeter case ensures reliable protection of the precise Swiss quartz movement – however, now paired with scratch-resistant, anti-reflective sapphire crystal.

The new P65 Tactical Mission is available in two different versions. The model with a matte black, carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer case and a steel caseback consistently follows the US Army’s MIL-W-46374F specifications: “the case shall be fabricated of acetal plastic material, or of corrosion-resistant steel.” The specialized polymer keeps weight to a minimum while effectively absorbing external impacts, such as shocks and drops.

In later versions of the P6500 Type 6, traser increasingly utilized the high-tech material titanium, offering enhanced durability and corrosion resistance while remaining lightweight. Accordingly, the new P65 Tactical Mission is also available with a pure titanium case. A screw-down crown ensures water resistance up to 20 atm.

Both versions are available with a selection of strap options, including a durable black textile strap, a gray camouflage variant, and a black rubber strap for a secure, comfortable fit on the wrist. The titanium model can also be paired with a matching titanium bracelet with a folding clasp.

Proven in thousands of deployments worldwide, valued by professionals and enthusiasts alike – and now reissued: “The Original” is back – the new traser P65 Tactical Mission.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Luminous Elements: trigalight self-illuminating technology in orange (12 o’clock index) and green on the hands, indices, and as an insert in the bezel
• Movement: Swiss Made quartz
• Size: Ø 43 mm
• Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Case: carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer case with steel caseback or pure titanium case (Grade 2 titanium) with screw-down crown bidirectional rotating bezel, ergonomically profiled
• Dial: matte black date display at 3 o’clock
• Hands: white
• Strap: titanium, textile, or rubber strap
• Water Resistance: 10 atm / 10 bar (carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer case) or 20 atm / 20 bar (titanium case with screw-down crown)
• References: 111829 traser^® P65 Tactical Mission Black carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer case black dial and black textile strap 111830 traser^® P65 Tactical Mission Black carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer case black dial and black rubber strap
• Price: CHF 395 – polymer case with textile strap CHF 425 – polymer case with black rubber strap CHF 550 – titanium case with black textile strap CHF 580 – titanium case with black rubber strap CHF 690 – titanium case with titanium bracelet