Elliot Brown has developed a formidable reputation for robust military watches. Their portfolio has no gimmicks. Elliot Brown watches are hard-core, combat-proven timepieces issued to UK elite troops. This accolade necessitates a high bar in build quality, legibility and reliability, so it's always interesting when a new model parachutes onto my desk at the WatchGecko office.
Elliot Brown Beachmaster - Credit WatchGecko
By a significant margin, Military, Field and Special Operations watches remain my favoured genre. To fit professionally into this category, a product must be hugely capable. My review of the Holton last year cemented my high opinion of this brand, and I have since discussed its use with serving military officers who have nothing but praise for the brand.
The 2023 Quartz Beachmaster is the model's latest iteration and Elliot Brown's most recent release. The selected example was presented in steel, protected by PVD in a striking gunmetal colour. When you open the transit box, the overwhelming first impression is of serious tactical equipment. But before we declare ourselves mission-ready, let's look at the Beachmaster's origins.
Background Brief on Elliot Brown
Elliot Brown Beachmaster - Credit WatchGecko
Co-founders Ian Elliot and Alex Brown based their adult lives around coastal adventure in their home of Poole in Dorset. This rugged countryside with challenging terrain and elements was judged to be the perfect proving ground to create bulletproof tool watches.
In a famous demonstration of durability, Elliot Brown strapped a watch to the mast of a racing yacht, which then spent one year sailing the world. The watch took considerable punishment caused by ocean debris and the brutality of life at sea. Baking heat, salt, and freezing weather failed to break the Elliot Brown. Small wonder firefighters, RNLI crews, mountain rescue teams and military units all use them.
The Beachmaster – how does it wear and operate?
Elliot Brown Beachmaster - Credit WatchGecko
The Beachmaster is a tour de force for Elliot Brown, presenting thoroughbred military credibility enhanced by a partnership with the British Royal Marines.
As a point of reference, a Beachmaster is an officer who coordinates the movement and timing of troops advancing across a beach with specific objectives and times to meet them. A vital tool in executing these duties is the ability to count down to an event, and this was a problem Elliot Brown set out to solve with the creation of the Beachmaster. The watch has a complex bezel arrangement that allows both count-up and countdown timing to a significant event. So unique is this complication they have patented the dial design.
Elliot Brown Beachmaster - Credit WatchGecko
Before we examine the time calculation function, let's take an overview of the watch itself. The Beachmaster has a presence which is enhanced by its considerable weight. The steel bracelet model I was testing peaked at 232g. That's 80g more than a Rolex Submariner. Nevertheless, the Beachmaster is an extremely well-made watch and feels impressively robust. Despite its mass, the watch is not overly large, with a diameter of just 40mm.
After a few minutes of handling, you can sense the Beachmaster has been made without compromise. The bracelet is engineered, not constructed. The micro-adjust clasp is exceptional and innovative. The bezel has wonderfully tactile serrations, as do the double crowns. The crown, which adjusts the time, recesses into the case, negating the need for shoulder protection. The upper crown adjusts the internal timing bezel and benefits from positive ceramic ball-bearing notches.
Elliot Brown Beachmaster - Credit WatchGecko
PVD gunmetal finish adds tactical value because it prevents reflection, but more importantly, it looks exciting. If you're going to make a tactical watch, then I believe you have been given latitude to make a watch that looks mission-ready, and thankfully, Elliot Brown has fully embraced this.
A Unique Dial
The Beachmaster dial, which should be a highly complex affair, is beautifully conceived, and information transmission is instantaneous.
Elliot Brown Beachmaster - Credit WatchGecko
An inner wave pattern sub-dial offers a 24-hour GMT alternate time display, and a bidirectional outer track is a count up/down indicator. This can also be used in concert with the external bezel, which is also a countdown design. The upshot of these complications is that you can monitor five different timings if needed, such as the time preceding or after an event and second time zones. For example, we have two hours to get to a location for a specific event. During the countdown, certain activities must take place at set times. The configuration of the dials on the Beachmaster allows monitoring of these complex timings. If you want more detail, Elliott Brown has posted some good videos.
Elliot Brown Beachmaster - Credit WatchGecko
Low light legibility is catered for with generous use of dual colour X1 BWG9 white Superluminova and C3 green Superluminova. The two tones are well-placed and clearly differentiate the alternate functions.
The heart of the machine
An automatic movement originally powered the Beachmaster; however, this new model has a Ronda 515.24H quartz offering accuracy of -10/+20 seconds per month. This choice makes a lot of sense. When you need accurate timekeeping, there is something intrinsically natural about reading hard second ticks instead of sweeping seconds. The automatic version is still available also.
After Action Report
Elliot Brown Beachmaster - Credit WatchGecko
The Elliot Brown Beachmaster is a creation aimed at people with a particular requirement or interest in a specific type of watch. I was hugely impressed with the Holton during a field test, and the Beachmaster is an evolution of the brand's credibility. This is a superb watch, beautifully conceived, with enough functions to amuse for hours after unboxing. I found myself constantly looking for ways to deploy the mission timers! If you are in the market for a sub-£1000 professional military watch, you'll be hard-pushed to find a better example than the quartz Elliot Brown Beachmaster.
Elliot Brown Beachmaster Professional Technical Specifications
- CASE – PVD coated stainless steel, 40 mm x 14mm. 50mm lug-to-lug, 22mm lug width
- MOVEMENT - Ronda 515.24H quartz
- CROWN - Screw-down single crown. The upper crown does not lock.
- GLASS - Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- LUME – Dual colour X1 BWG9 white Superluminova and C3 green Superluminova
- WATER RESISTANCE - 300 meters
- BRACELET – PVD steel or rubber
- PRICE - £795
- When the reviewer would personally wear it: This could be perfect daily wear in a military world. Outside those circles, it is still a watch which will be noticed and commented on.
- Who the reviewer would recommend the watch to: It goes without saying anyone who could professionally use the model. There is nothing better than equipment made for a purpose.
- Best characteristics of the watch: The PVD finish is superb, and the recessed crown and bezel are engineering joys.
- The worst characteristic of the watch: The weight. It is very heavy, so I recommend you try the rubber strap variant, which may be more comfortable in daily use. The bracelet is beautiful, but the overall weight of the full steel package is a challenge.
