Merkava Watches: Built Like an Israeli Tank

Merkava Watches draw inspiration and design from the IDF’s Merkava tank and are engineered to withstand the rugged conditions of Israel.

Time began for Merkava Industries in 2013, when the company embarked on a journey to make exceptionally crafted military-grade watches of remarkable quality modeled after Israel’s top-grade military tank.

Proud to be at the heart of the dawn of Israeli watchmaking, Merkava, meaning “chariot”, is named for its inspiration, the Israeli Army’s premier battle tank that was born in the early days of the Jewish state and still protects it today. And like its inspiration, the company’s mission is to set the industry standard for precision, durability and strength.

As a young child, Merkava CEO and founder Joseph Djemal loved all things mechanical, taking apart and reassembling everything he could find. But it was when his Israeli grandfather, and namesake, gave Joseph his first watch that he discovered his true passion. Over many precious hours spent together, Joseph’s grandfather opened the world of horology to Joseph – teaching him all he knew and letting his grandson tinker with and repair his collection of antique timepieces.

Today, the heart of Joseph’s collection is the watch his grandfather bequeathed to him, the watch his grandfather put on each morning, a watch that still keeps perfect time.

In 2013, when Joseph decided to create his own watch brand, he envisioned a collection of timepieces that would reflect the things that had shaped his life so profoundly: his grandfather and the State of Israel. His watches would be tough, engineered to last, and designed with a military elegance. Today, his dream is a reality. With an emphasis on Israeli ingenuity and meticulous attention to detail, Merkava Industries is the first Israeli-owned luxury watch company to manufacture handmade timepieces in Switzerland.

“We at Merkava Industries see watches differently,” says Joseph. “Men want more than watches that just meet their daily challenges with accuracy, reliability and design. Our watches are not simply instruments of time, they represent the man.” Based on these principles, Merkava timepieces are styled with a respect for form and function, and designed to be comfortable in all situations.

Utilizing military-inspired details, the Merkava Collections pay tribute to some of the most remarkable strategic military vehicles in the history of Israel. The collection has unique and compelling designs with their industrial designed stainless steel case and dial detailing pulled directly from the instruments in the tanks cockpit.

The modern and complex Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph movement is the heartbeat of the unique Master Collection. The Valjoux is one of the most reliable chronograph movements in the history of horology, a fitting tribute to the company’s namesake, the remarkable Merkava Tank.

With several options to choose from, the Flight and Elite models include all the hallmarks of a professional’s watch, with high legibility and function driven by an ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic mechanical movement.

The Revive, Legacy, Velocity and Driver models are all multi-function quartz watches with day/date, tachymeter and chronograph functions, depending on the model. These First Edition Collections are available in limited production.

For more information about Merkava watches, visit their website at www.merkavawatches.com.

Promotional content provided by Merkava Watches