Ares Watch Co.

One of the greatest watches you will never hear stories about. Or will you?

I was fortunate enough to meet Matt Graham the owner and founder of Ares at the Toronto time piece show. Through connections with the founder of SBWC we were able to assist Matt as Ares “Ambassadors” for the event. It was all business at the show but what I was truly fortunate to be a part of was the after show and the small talk. Matt is a genuine man who just so happens to have an unusually badass career history and killer watch company.

"Ares" of course in Greek mythology is the "God of War and Courage". If I had to place a watch on the wrist of some of the most elite units in the world doing some of the most incredible missions, the “Ares” title is extremely fitting. 

The Mission Timer Legacy. Matt sees everyone’s life as their own personal mission and Ares is a company that builds your watch to give you that data point and a reliable time keeping device to time your mission. The watches created by Ares are designed to go anywhere and take the hits of life with you. If you do not believe me here's a quick testimonial from a friend of Matt's, "Slyfox" who studied under Matt at the "Agency". 

Ares Testimonial

"I first met Matt Graham in the summer of 2009 at a pretty intensive and exclusive training course in Northern Virginia. If anyone knows Matt, they know he’s a large man with a large personality and a great instructor. At the time his hair was as long as his beard and he resembled a creature you would not want to come across in the wilderness. Years later, through someone in the community, it was mentioned that Matt was starting a watch company. Knowing Matt’s passion and focus when it came to training guys like me to do stuff that guys like me must do, I was excited to see what he was gonna do with a time piece. The first watch I picked up was a Diver-1 Automatic. Because of my line of work, the areas of the world I was operating in and the global conflicts that were occurring, things weren’t always guaranteed. I needed a watch that was reliable and that could hold time, but I also wanted an heirloom to hand down to my son. So, I reached out to Matt and told him what I would like done. He was able to make me the watch I wanted with the serial number I desired to hand down to my son who shares my name. I also have a 1 of 1 watch that he made and a team watch."

- Slyfox

As you can see Ares is not just a watch company stamping out time pieces from over seas parts. They are in fact quite the contrary. American Made watches using some rock-solid Swiss Movements. The passion they bring to the table as a and I quote "Armourer" is second to none. They pride themselves on the use and abuse of their watches and want to hear the stories that go along with said abuse. The end user receives a great package ready to deploy with you in any aspect of your life. From war zones to training cell, to a baseball game, to extreme sports I assure you your mission timer will perform. 

 SIG Collaboration

After meeting Matt in Toronto, I was able to hear of some up coming collaborations and when I heard SIG mentioned at the table, I was listening carefully. Personally, I have had firsthand experience with SIGs firearms as I am sure many have. My experience was a little more high-speed working in support of Canadian Tier One Units, and I mention this for one reason. SIG is trusted by some of the most elite units that walk this earth. So, it would only be fitting that SIG partners with Ares to create something truly special. This Mission Timer M-17 Diver 1–1000M is an absolute unit of a watch like it's ancestors, with some very cool updates. Constantly chasing down perfection to ensure the end user receives a tough reliable Timer is proven in this specific watch.

Quick Acknowledgement of the M-17, the pairing of firearm and time piece.

Sourced from SIG Sauers Website:

After one of the most rigorous and highly competitive review processes in the history of military firearms, the SIG SAUER M17 was awarded the modular Handgun System (MHS) contract for the U.S. Army. The M17 is a P320-based platform, and was selected for its uniquely innovative modularity, uncompromising performance, and unmatched capability. The P320-M17 closely follows the specifications of the U.S. Army’s M17.

The P320-M17 is a 9mm, striker-fired pistol and comes stock with one 1 x 17-round magazine and 2 x 21-round magazines. The pistol features a coyote-tan PVD coated stainless steel slide with the same optic cut as specified by the MHS contract, and black controls just like the pistols currently being shipped to the U.S. Army; it comes equipped with a SIGLITE front night sight and removable Night Sight rear plate. The P320-M17 features a coyote-tan carry-length grip module, available in three sizes, and comes standard with a manual safety.

As you will see later in the watch review this watch has a lot of NODS to the M17 that make it a incredible pairing between firearm and timepiece. So, let's Dive in. 

Mission Timer M-17 MOD 0 Un Boxing

The package arrived at my house in a simple but ingenious watch box, or should I say, "explosive tubular container" For those of you who have spent time on military grenade ranges you will recognize the container. The tube is wrapped in a Burn Bag pattern paper with an American flag seal. Inside the paper is the Olive Green two-piece tube with a stenciled “SIG X ARES” along the body with a yellow tin cap stating the specs to what is inside.

I should mention that this specific time piece is not mine to keep but will be sent back to ARES then to SIG to be hung in a showcase forever immortalizing the ARES x SIG collaboration in SIG’s History books.

Signal Panel

Sliding the two pieces apart your greeted with a watch roll. But not just any watch roll. This watch roll is Ares take on the VS – 17A Signal panel which I personally have used to land many different rotary wing platforms, including Blackhawk helicopters to receive Taliban Prisoners. The nostalgia is there, and it is very functional. The black printing on the olive drab roll is done very well with all the Mil Specs you’d expect on an issued signal panel from your QM. The inside is that brilliant Orange that can be seen from kilometers out by a trained pilot. With four generous sleeves for other watches or straps this watch roll is very multipurpose. There is a smaller sleeve in the middle for a watch spring bar tool which is a nice touch to ensure you have all the tools for the job. Once rolled up you have the Partnership branded on the Olive Drab backing “SIG x ARES” with a vibrant pink paracord closure.

Mission Timer First Impressions

Within the signal panel was the watch. From having limited experience with ARES watches pretty much, only handling watches at the TTPS I was really taken back at first glance. It truly felt like I was pulling out a piece of “Kit” and I know that’s exactly what Matt aims for. It reminded me of times in Sniper Platoon where we would get a new “Gucci” piece of kit and immediately be excited to test it. The rugged appearance screams this watch is serious. Once you pick it up you realize it is a chameleon or even a shape shifter from appearance to fit and finish. It feels lighter than it appears, giving you that tough high speed feels most watches lack. The case has sharp edges that have been broken perfectly as to not cause discomfort. The Drilled lugs stick out to a comfortable distance from the case giving it a healthy presence. The case itself is painted in a colour matched to the M-17 Slide which is coyote tan CEREKOTE with the Deep Black PVD bezel matching the slide catch, safety, take down lever and trigger. To see this watch alongside a M-17 would be a dream. Unfortunately, the country I’m writing this from does not offer that opportunity! Either way I know whole heartedly this will pair perfectly with a few SIG Firearms. Over all first impression is that this thing kicks ass and has sparked a desire in me to acquire my very own Diver-1.

 On the Wrist in Detail

The circular 316L Stainless steel Diver-1 Mod 2 case blends seamlessly into the lugs which will add stability to the timepiece in the most austere conditions. The case itself is 41mm two-piece case which is individually serialized, engraved, and has screw back construction. The case also sports a 49.5mm dimension lug to lug with 22mm drilled lugs making it a proper size for aftermarket straps if you fancy that idea. The case also sits at 13.3mm in height which for the dive rating is phenomenal. This specific model has the SIG logo emblazoned on the case back with the model number laser etched down the “I” in SIG. Classy. The bezel is classic Ares Diver-1 Gear shaped with “no slip” teeth but with a few new features. The 42mm 120 click uni directional bezel is Deep Black PVD matched to the M-17 now with a well-done contrast to the off-white countdown numerals etched into the bezel which are generously filed with C3 Superluminova.  If you look at the watch on an angle, you’ll realise Ares has upgraded their bezel by adding 4 Capture screws adding another level of robustness to an already rock-solid watch.

On top of all of that they have added a clear coat to the bezel, ensuring easy cleaning and to prolong the use of the bezel overall. At the 10 o’clock there is a ‘fat head’ 7.2mm logo’d screw down crown, finished in Deep Black PVD and featuring aggressive ‘no slip’ teeth with a double Viton seal. Moving inward to the flat sapphire crystal, if you look closely, you can see the sapphire is done with a bevel around the circumference leading down to the bezel every so slightly. The crystal is coated with an inner anti-reflective AR coating mitigating any glare. The brass dial is matte black with print throughout, the 3, 6 and 9 dial layouts and the hour indicators and logo are all printed in a light green C3 Super Luminova which is generously applied. The minute track is a white contrast to the dial as well as the company name Ares at the twelve o’clock just under their logo and the model and dive rating just above the 6 o’clock stating Diver-1 and 1000M. Id like to mention I have personally seen Matt test a Diver-1 for more than 48 hours at 25% over the printed 1000M dive rating. The proof is there that these watches are true dive watches meant for mission timing. The SIG logo can be found just beside the 9 o’clock position done in a brilliant brass colour from what I believe is removal of the paint on the dial? I could be wrong either way it looks clean!

 The hands are brushed stainless with a sword style hour hand and a pencil style minute hand both highly effective and reach to their designated task. The second hand is spear like and very fitting for a watch that has a cult following at the Tip of the Spear. All three hands also have been inlaid with C3 Super Luminova. The legibility of this watch reads like a flight watch with all the feels of a robust diver. Under the dial the M17 Diver-1 is running a Swiss Quartz 5-jewel Ronda 715 Lithium-Ion Swiss movement which provides exceptional 10-year performance. Quartz is king when it comes to mission timing as controversial as that may seem. The last thing you want is to pick up a watch that is seconds off when seconds count! Finally, the very tough 3-Ring LASH Ballistic nylon strap which is 22mm sitting on 1.8mm shoulder less spring bars. The strap feels of exceptional quality, a little on the stiff side but if you use your Ares as Ares intends you to, I can see the strap conforming over time and fitting like a glove. The two elongated hexagonal keepers have another surprise to them as well. Showing accuracy and attention to detail, Ares laser etches M17 DIVER-1 on one and the S/N M170002 on the other. Very impressive on such a small surface. The clasp is a buckle style no nonsense with a SIG Logo and Ares Logo etched in also I should mention all three are Black as well of course to go with the overall tactical feel.

Placing this watch on my wrist I felt like I was ready for anything, and I do not use that lightly. To start from humble beginnings Ares is truly carving their own path, with new engineering, to upgrades, to listening to end user feedback and ensuring they put out an incredible piece of kit. I was fortunate enough to also meet Matts friends who I can not identify for certain reasons. The stories we shared that I would like to share but cannot truly give weight to the authenticity of Ares and to Matt himself. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to one get to meet Matt and Jonah and to review something that I know is especially important to their team. Congrats on this collaboration, I hope I did it justice man!

For everyone else I really hope you enjoyed the review. Head on over to Ares Socials and Website and browse their catalog. Maybe pick something up. Also feel free to send this to anyone you want and spread the word that ARES is making big moves, and this collaboration is something new the watch world has rarely seen!

As Always,

Stay Sketchy

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