French independent watchmaker Serica has unveiled its latest military collaboration—the Reference 5303 PLD Dive Chronometer, created specifically for the Plongeurs Démineurs, France’s elite naval explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) divers.
In a rare move, Serica is making a civilian version of this specialized timepiece available to collectors after fulfilling the military orders.
Depth and Duty
The 5303 PLD builds upon Serica’s standard dive chronometer foundation while incorporating crucial modifications for military diving operations. EOD divers face unique challenges working near underwater explosives, where even minimal magnetic signatures from electronic devices could potentially trigger detonation.
While this risk is exceedingly small with modern quartz watches, military operators leave nothing to chance—explaining the watch’s most distinctive feature: “Amagnètique” prominently displayed on its gloss black enamel dial, replacing the usual depth rating.
This antimagnetic capability isn’t merely decorative—the 5303 PLD features an internal shield offering protection up to 50,000 A/M. Other military-specific adaptations include a redesigned “Fat Lollipop” seconds hand with an enlarged luminous tip for enhanced underwater legibility when tracking elapsed seconds under pressure.
The watch maintains Serica’s signature versatility with its 39mm stainless steel case (12.2mm thick, 46.5mm lug-to-lug) featuring a screw-down crown that can be positioned on either the left or right side. A double-domed sapphire crystal with interior anti-reflective treatment protects the dial, while water resistance remains robust at 300 meters.
Perhaps the most significant military-focused upgrade appears on the bezel. The “DT Max” bezel combines an Abyssal Blue ceramic outer scale displaying depth markings with an inner stainless steel minute scale indicating maximum no-decompression bottom times at corresponding depths.
This specialized tool allows EOD divers to quickly determine how long they can safely remain at a given depth without requiring time-consuming decompression stops—critical information when working with underwater explosives under strict time constraints.
Civilian Edition with Military Heritage
Powering this specialized diver is the chronometer-certified Soprod Caliber M100 automatic movement. Despite sharing external dimensions with the ETA 2892 and Sellita SW300, this 25-jewel movement follows its own distinct design architecture while delivering COSC-certified accuracy within -4/+6 seconds per day, a 28,800vph (4 Hz) operating frequency, and approximately 42 hours of power reserve.
While the military-issue versions feature matte black dials and casebacks engraved with the Plongeurs Démineurs emblem, the civilian models sport glossy enamel dials and unadorned casebacks. Both versions come equipped with Serica’s signature stainless steel mesh bracelet featuring articulating end-links for improved wearability and integrated aesthetics.
Accompanying the bracelet is a historically significant secondary option—an elastic fabric strap inspired by the handmade parachute webbing straps that French combat divers fashioned in the 1960s and 1970s. Serica has modernized this military heritage with more ergonomic hardware featuring brushed stainless steel finishes and the brand’s name engraved on the connecting buckle.
Priced at €1,690 (approximately $1,870), the civilian Reference 5303 PLD Dive Chronometer commands a modest premium over Serica’s standard models due to its specialized bezel and additional strap.
With production limited to 500 total pieces—and many already allocated to active EOD divers—the remaining civilian examples represent a rare opportunity for collectors to own a timepiece with genuine military provenance and specialized diving functionality while maintaining the refined aesthetics that have made Serica a standout among independent watchmakers.
