This watch is personally owned by the author.
I spoke with the founders of a little-known brand, Smith & Bradley Watches.
Jerommie Smith was a deputy sheriff in Illinois.
In this Smith & Bradley Sans-13 review, the author details the years of hard use his tactical watch has gone through.
His partner, Ryan Bradley, was an attorney.
Together, they co-founded a real Made-in-the-USA watch company.
Regardless of what is inside, a chronometer will always be judged by its outer appearance.
Timekeeping with purpose. The Sans-13’s bold, legible dial stands out against the tactical gear, ensuring precision when every second counts.
The Sans-13 case is made from 316L stainless steel.
It measures 42mm in width and is 22mm at the lugs.
Part of what gives this case its square jawline is its thickness of 12mm.
Resting on the author’s SWAT uniform, the Sans-13 proves its place among the essential gear trusted by law enforcement professionals.
Overall, including the case back and crystal, mine measures an imposing 15mm.
S&Bs black PVD coating is wear-resistant and attractive.
Current Sans-13 watches have a water resistance of 300 meters.
The robust crown and protective lugs highlight the Sans-13’s commitment to durability, ensuring performance when it matters most.
When I bought mine, it was only 200 meters WR, which has clearly improved.
The next noticeable part of a wristwatch is its dial and bezel.
The dial of the Sans-13 has both 12- and 24-hour markings and hash indices for each second.
A short burst of light charges the Sans-13’s lume, giving a reliable glow without compromising your position in critical situations.
Its black face with white markings is stand-out and legible.
And heres where the name comes in.
Since that has been omitted, the S&B is sans 13.
The robust buckle and reinforced strap keep the Sans-13 firmly on the wrist, no matter where the mission takes you.
He said it was purely for good luck for the wearer.
Sans-13s black bezel is marked off with bright white recessed numerals.
In nearly a decade of use, my numbers are still fully intact.
Time matters in every mission. While gripping his Springfield Armory Echelon, the author checks the time on his Sans-13.
The uni-directional bezel ratchets counterclockwise at 120 clicks for precision.
Smith said his thoughts on watch illumination differed from some industry trends.
Instead of bright tritium vials, Smith opted for a more muted lume on the Sans-13.
The stainless steel case back of the Sans-13 reinforces its rugged construction. The author’s early watch has a 20mm lug width, while new versions have a beefier 22mm band.
As he states, Only you should see your watch.
Super-LumiNova is charged by sunlight or a handheld flashlight.
Dont worry about the light hitting the watchs face.
Sans-13 has an anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
My watch has a 6003.D Ronda, which is also found in other upscale watches like Tag Heuer.
An economical movement, any 373 batteries I have had installed in the watch have lasted for years.
Bracelets are important and the Sans-13 has gone through an evolution of sorts.
The types of bands have also changed.
I was originally sent a thick black silicone band on my Sans-13.
I later upgraded to a black stainless steel bracelet.
S&B now ships the Sans-13 with a thick black nylon NATO-style strap with subdued buckle and retainers.
In these disparate arenas, the watch looked great and functioned as Jerommie intended.
A discreet glance at the Sans-13 can be necessary in the darkness.
S&B prides itself on their collaborations with the Special Operations Charity internet and UDT SEALS Association.
The MSRP for the Smith & Bradley Sans-13 is $295.00.
That is fully a hundred bucks less than I paid nearly 10 years ago.
This is a great timepiece for under $300 in my opinion.
As a long-time NTOA member, I can enthusiastically second that coveted endorsement.
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