The Original returns - the new P65 Tactical Mission
Following the development of the world's first self-illuminating wristwatch in 1989, the shortly thereafter introduced P6500 Type 6 led to the founding of the traser brand. As mb-microtec’s first in-house timepiece, it met the US Army's MIL-W-46374F specifications and has since reliably accompanied international elite units, including the Navy SEALs, on their missions worldwide. Now, traser is reviving "The Original"—as the groundbreaking model was known—and presents the new P65 Tactical Mission. A legend returns—in two versions.
The success story of the now-legendary P6500 Type 6 began three decades before its initial introduction. Following intensive research, Swiss physicist Oskar Thüler succeeded in 1969 in using tritium gas to make fine glass capillaries glow for over 25 years without any external power source. This was an absolute novelty and marked the birth of mb-microtec and its trigalight self-illumination technology. Immediately afterward, Oskar Thüler and mb-microtec began working on applying the technology to a wristwatch, presenting their first concepts as early as the late 1970s. When the US Department of Defense mandated the use of Gaseous Tritium Light Sources (GTLS) in its official service watches in 1989, trigalight technology was used in a wristwatch for the first time. This was shortly followed by the development and introduction of an in-house self-illuminating watch: the P6500 Type 6,
which met the US Army's MIL-W-46374F specifications and established the traser swiss H3 watches brand. In accordance with the requirements catalog, the first traser was characterized not only by impeccable readability but also featured a reliable, low-maintenance quartz movement and a lightweight yet robust case. Furthermore, the instrument had to meet stringent requirements regarding altitude compatibility and water resistance.
Dem Original treu
The two new versions of the P65 Tactical Mission clearly reflect their historical predecessor: from the ergonomically profiled, bidirectional rotating bezel and the case to the silk-matte dial, the P65 Tactical Mission is finished entirely in black. All markings—including the striking Arabic numerals with a tool-watch typical 24-hour scale—stand out in high-contrast white. Just like "The Original," the hour and minute hands, the hour markers from 1 to 11, and the bezel insert are equipped with green trigalight self-illuminating elements. The 12 o'clock index glows orange in the dark, ensuring reliable orientation of the watch. The date display at 3 o'clock stays true to the original dial design, which is focused on maximum clarity. Then as now, the 43 mm case provides reliable protection for the precise Swiss quartz movement—now, however, in combination with scratch-resistant and anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
Two Variants – One Mission
The new P65 Tactical Mission is available in two different versions: The variant with a carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer case and steel back strictly follows the US Army’s MIL-W-46374F specifications: "the case shall be fabricated of acetal plastic material, or of corrosion resistant steel." The special polymer ensures minimal weight and effectively absorbs external impacts such as shocks and drops.
In later versions of the P6500 Type 6, traser increasingly relied on the high-tech material titanium, which impresses with increased durability and corrosion resistance while maintaining low weight. The titanium case of the P65 Tactical Mission is also equipped with a screw-down crown, achieving water resistance up to 20 bar.
Wearers can choose from several strap versions for both models: the P65 Tactical Mission is secured to the wrist by either a durable textile strap in black or grey camouflage, or a black rubber strap. Additionally, the watch is available as a full-titanium version with a titanium bracelet and folding clasp.
Proven thousands of times in use worldwide, appreciated by professional users and enthusiasts alike—and now reissued: "The Original" is back—the new traser P65 Tactical Mission.
