To those who are aware, Mk II is a brand that has been producing some of the most sought-after mil-spec style watches in the boutique brand space. Started in 2002, they initially kicked things off in the Seiko modding arena and eventually moved over to pay tribute to incredibly rare military designs. One of their most popular models—the Paradive—has just been updated for a special run, and it’s already looking like it might be a tough watch to score. This evolution, however, pulls away slightly from the MIL-W-50717 brief and instead digs into another archival Mk II design. Here’s the Mk II Paradive Type XIII.
If you’ve been a fan of Mk II for a while, you’ll probably notice that the dial on the Paradive Type XIII looks a lot like what Mk II released with their older Sea Fighter model. And much like the Sea Fighter, it looks like this new Paradive pays tribute to not only the MIL-W-50717 watches, but also the Omega Proplof. While discussing the watch at Mk II’s table at Wind up NYC 2022, I was told the idea was to create something that looked like an old, well-used military tool that had been repaired over time, with parts that wouldn’t necessarily be original. This cool, almost frankenstein’d look is a very far departure from Mk II’s usual highly-detailed mil-spec tributes. People are already eating this up.
On-wrist the quality is spectacular and the fully bead-blasted case is probably the best that you can find if you like that old Type I/Type II look. It’s 41.25mm in diameter and has a water resistance rating of 200m. Another cool adjustment is the orange seconds hands, which adds a bit of character if you aren’t totally into the accurate mil-spec look. The watch can be had with a a Nytex Type I-M2 strap, a rubber dive strap, or a MOD-spec black nylon NATO-style strap.
Mk II Paradive Type XIII Specs
- Case Diameter: 41.25mm
- Case Thickness: 15.54mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 49.5mm
- Case Material: Bead blasted 316L stainless steel
- Water Resistance: 200m
- Movement: SII NE-15
- Crystal: Double domed sapphire crystal
- Strap: Nytex Type I-M2 strap, rubber dive strap, or MOD-spec black nylon NATO-style strap
- Price: $895
Ordering for the new Mk II Paradive Type XIII is open now. And you can learn more about the watch at Mk II’s official site.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.