WAC and the NATO end piece

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The NATO End Piece 2 or NEP2. Launched in August 2014 and designed by the Watch Advisory Consultant (WAC), every set comes with a pair of NEP2s and includes a WAC modified NATO strap. Each set is priced at SGD150 or around US$120 / 88 euros / CHF107 (Swiss francs) / MYR386 (Malaysian Ringgit). Photo: © WAC

The NATO End Piece 2 or NEP2. Launched in August 2014 and designed by the Watch Advisory Consultant (WAC), every set comes with a pair of NEP2s and includes a WAC modified NATO strap. Each set is priced at SGD150 or around US$120 / 88 euros / CHF107 (Swiss francs) / MYR386 (Malaysian Ringgit). Photo: © WAC

What is a NATO end piece or NEP? One example is that designed by the Watch Advisory Consultant or WAC, an independent and privately-owned design firm founded by Ken Phuah in 2013. The NATO End Piece is a watch accessory that is made of 316L stainless steel and this component that is fitted in between the lugs.

Phuah, who came up with the idea of the NATO End Piece (NEP), reveals that there were many reasons for creating such an accessory.

“One of the more important considerations was the protection of the spring bars,” he explains. With the NEP properly inserted between the lugs, the spring bars will be housed within the NEP steel component housing. It is therefore shielded against any hard knocks.

The WAC NEP2 component. Photo: © WAC

The WAC NEP2 component. For more details, log on to www.wacnep.com. Photo: © WAC

With the NATO End Piece fitted, any textile or leather strap is fitted through external loops integrated with NEP2. These loops can be seen just under the lugs after NEP2 is fitted to the watchcase.

But is an “end piece” or “end link” a necessity when such a component already comes with the original metal watch bracelet supplied with the watch? Well, another end link will not be necessary if one wishes to use the watch with the original metal bracelet.

However, if one would like to fit a NATO strap to the watch and not fret over spring bar failure, then Phuah’s NEP or rather, NEP2 will be an option to consider.

Why is it called the NEP2 rather than the NEP1? “The NEP2 as the numeral implies, is our second model. The first, the NEP1, is still under product development,” says Phuah.

In addition to the protection of the spring bars and the prevention of scratches to the inner lugs, using an NEP2 will also translate into better wrist comfort and a more secure strap.

Every set of NEP2 (comprising a pair of NATO End Pieces for the lugs on each end) comes supplied with a WAC NATO strap. This WAC strap does not have the extra flap security feature; therefore only one layer of the strap sits beneath the watchcase.

With the NEP2, only one layer of the WAC modified NATO strap is passed through its loops, not two layers typical in a NATO strap. This means the watch will not appear thicker on the wrist with the NEP2. Photo: © WAC

With the NEP2, only one layer of the WAC modified NATO strap is passed through its loops, not two layers typical in a NATO strap. This means the watch will not appear thicker on the wrist with the NEP2. Photo: © WAC

The good news for those more interested in leather straps is that NEP2 is not limited to only NATO strap users. WAC also supplies leather straps pre-attached to the NEP2.

The leather straps include soft goat skin, cowhide and alligator leather. Prices begin from SGD250 for cowhide and goat skin leather straps. Wild alligator skin leather straps are also available and these begin from SGD450 for a non-plated NEP2.

Can such straps be called a NATO straps? “This is a modified NATO strap,” says Phuah. “The spring bars are already protected by NEP2; therefore the likelihood of spring bar failure is very low. Moreover, the metal loop at the end of the extra flap of regular NATO straps may scratch the watch. There is no extra flap on NEP2.”

Perhaps the most important question on hand for those interested is whether NEP2 can fit into their wristwatches. “The NEP2 can currently be used on more than 16 wristwatch models,” says Phuah who will be expanding the offering.

Currently, the wristwatch models are mainly those made by Rolex and they include popular models from the GMT Master, Explorer, Submariner and Daytona collections. The NEP2 is even suitable for certain Tudor timepieces.

To determine the suitability of NEP2 for one’s watch, it is best to check WAC’s website on: www.wacnep.com and look for the relevant model’s reference numbers.

Montblanc Metamorphosis II: The Transformer in Action

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Montblanc’s Metamorphosis II, introduced in 2014, shown in the classic position displaying the hour, minutes, seconds and date. This is a regulator-style layout with the hour sub-dial at 12 o’clock, the calendar date display at 6 o’clock and with a central continuous sweep seconds hand. Take note of the minute display counter, which is over a 210-degree arc beginning from 8 o’clock and ending at 4 o’clock. The retrograde minute hand begins it “tour of duty” every hour at “”00” minutes (8 o’clock position) and ends at “60” minutes (4 o’clock position) before “jumping” back or returning to “00” minutes to begin its next hourly shift. Observe the vertical “line” which can be seen on the hour sub-dial and date display. The “curtains” open and close at this vertical line in the “morphing” process. Limited to 18 pieces. Priced at EUR270,000 / SGD404,800. Price correct as at the time of writing. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. Watches&Wonders 2014

Montblanc’s Metamorphosis II, introduced in 2014, shown in the classic position displaying the hour, minutes, seconds and date. This is a regulator-style layout with the hour sub-dial at 12 o’clock, the calendar date display at 6 o’clock and with a central continuous sweep seconds hand. Take note of the minute display counter, which is over a 210-degree arc beginning from 8 o’clock and ending at 4 o’clock. The retrograde minute hand begins it “tour of duty” every hour at “”00” minutes (8 o’clock position) and ends at “60” minutes (4 o’clock position) before “jumping” back or returning to “00” minutes to begin its next hourly shift. Observe the vertical “line” which can be seen on the hour sub-dial and date display. The “curtains” open and close at this vertical line in the “morphing” process. Limited to 18 pieces. Priced at EUR270,000 / SGD404,800. Price correct as at the time of writing. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. Watches&Wonders 2014

The transformation process of Montblanc’s Metamorphosis II, launched in September 2014 at the Watches&Wonders exhibition in Hong Kong, is a sight to behold.

If you had just gawked at the price, do note that there are good reasons for this. Obviously, this is not an ordinary wristwatch so do look beyond its face value, literally.

As its name implies, this Montblanc Metamorphosis II, is able to “morph” into another face. [Note: This is the second Metamorphosis; the first was launched in 2010.]

One face (dial layout) is the classic position displaying the hours, minutes, sweep seconds and date in a regulator-style layout. Do note that the Metamorphosis II features a retrograde minute hand which explains the 210-degree minute counter from 8 o’clock to 4 o’clock.

The minute hand begins every hour at “00” minutes (at the 8 o’clock position) and ends at “60” minutes (at the 4 o’clock position) before “jumping” back to its original position prior to the start of the next hour. It then begins its 210-degree sweep over an hour once more.

Upon activating the sliding bolt located at between the 8 o’clock and 10 o’clock positions, the “morphing” to the chronograph face will then take place.

The hour sub-dial at 12 o’clock splits into two “wings” which disappear under the dial, revealing a new hour sub-dial with Arabic numerals for the hour indexes.

Similarly, the calendar date display at the lower half of the dial, will open up and its two “wings” will likewise, be hidden under the dial, and a chronograph counter will be raised up.

Montblanc’s Metamorphosis II, after “morphing” and with the chronograph face displaying the hours and minutes, and the chronograph functions indicating elapsed minutes via the 30-minute rotating chronograph counter and the elapsed seconds via the central seconds hand. This is a mono-pusher chronograph. Take note of the white arrow below the centre of the dial. This is the reference point for the elapsed minutes indicated by the rotating disc. Photo: © Montblanc

Montblanc’s Metamorphosis II, after “morphing” and with the chronograph face displaying the hours and minutes, and the chronograph functions indicating elapsed minutes via the 30-minute rotating chronograph counter and the elapsed seconds via the central seconds hand. This is a mono-pusher chronograph. Take note of the white arrow below the centre of the dial. This is the reference point for the elapsed minutes indicated by the rotating disc. Photo: © Montblanc

This is the 30-minute rotating chronograph disc counter. There will be a white arrow located below the centre of the dial and this will be the reference for reading the elapsed minutes.

The sweep seconds hand will now be the chronograph seconds hand in chronograph mode.

As this is a mono-pusher chronograph, the start, stop and reset functions are operated through one pusher and it is integrated into the crown.

To return to the classic position, the sliding bolt has to be activated once more. The entire “morphing” or transformation process is around five seconds, as seen in the video below (do turn up your volume to listen to the narration):

In this video, Alexander Schmiedt, Managing Director, Watches, Montblanc International, narrates and demonstrates how the Metamorphosis II works during the “morphing” process. Video: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. “Club 4810”, Cape Town, South Africa 2014

The chronograph and date functions operate independently; therefore should the chronograph be left running, the elapsed time will still be measured, even if one has switched back to the classic position.

Upon returning to the chronograph face, the elapsed time will be shown.

The Montblanc Metamorphosis II is equipped with the Calibre MB 67.4 manual-winding movement with the power reserve of approximately 85 hours. It has a whopping 746 component parts, of which 494 are for the “metamorphosis”. Little wonder why this is described as one of the most complex movements ever developed and designed at the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret. Photo: TANG Portfolio. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. Watches&Wonders 2014

The Montblanc Metamorphosis II is equipped with the Calibre MB 67.4 manual-winding movement with the power reserve of approximately 85 hours. It has a whopping 746 component parts, of which 494 are for the “metamorphosis”. Little wonder why this is described as one of the most complex movements ever developed and designed at the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret. Photo: TANG Portfolio. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. Watches&Wonders 2014

Montblanc’s Metamorphosis II featuring the MB 67.4 manual-winding movement has 746 components. Out of this 494 are used for the amazing “metamorphosis”. As evidenced from the video, the transformation process is rather smooth considering all it takes is five seconds.

The Montblanc Metamorphosis II has the diameter of 52mm and is 15.8mm thick. The crown is in 5N 18K red gold and features the mother-of-pearl Montblanc emblem. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

The Montblanc Metamorphosis II has the diameter of 52mm and is 15.8mm thick. The crown is in 5N 18K red gold and features the mother-of-pearl Montblanc emblem. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

It is little wonder why the Calibre MB 67.4 is noted as one of the most complex movements ever developed and designed at the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret. The Metamorphosis II is indeed a bold execution for a wristwatch.

Optimus Prime, courageous leader of the Autobots, should be proud.