Behind the Build of the 2/19 Special Forces Custom Military Watch

When the 2/19 Special Forces Group first approached us about building a custom military watch, our initial instinct was to refer them elsewhere.

Hampden doesn’t make field watches—so we suggested they talk to our cousins at Marathon Watch, who specialize in Swiss Made tactical and mil-spec timepieces.

But the response came back quickly and clearly:

“We already have field watches. We want something our members can be proud to wear to an embassy or consulate, and that can be passed down as an heirloom timepiece to our children.”

With that, the mission changed. What followed was a six-month collaboration to create a timepiece that reflected their shared service—not just as 2/19 members, but as veterans, leaders, and brothers-in-arms.

The result: The Operator—a 50-piece limited edition military watch based on the Hampden Model 1 Sullivan, built with purpose, presence, and lasting meaning.

From Design to Launch: A Different Kind of Process

This wasn’t a standard product drop. It was a custom collaboration designed to fit the specific culture of a modern Special Forces unit.

Working with the 2/19 project lead, we developed a private group watch program supported by a secure application page. Only verified members of 2/19 were granted access to the pre-sale military watch link. And the project wouldn’t move into production until 25 orders were confirmed.

This pre-order model ensured transparency and reduced risk for everyone involved—something we now offer to other military unit commemorative watch projects and affinity group watch builds.

Throughout, our team provided full watch concierge service: coordinating custom specs, producing design proofs, managing communications, and handling every step through to fulfillment.

Customization Where It Counts

Designed to reflect the duality of the mission, The Operator needed to balance rugged utility with formal presentation. This wasn’t just a watch for the field—it had to wear just as well at a consulate dinner or post-retirement ceremony.

We crafted a Rifle Green dial with applied polished indices and a raised Special Forces crossed arrows insignia at 12 o’clock. The hands were upgraded during the project to feature a higher grade of Super-LumiNova, enhancing visibility in low-light conditions without sacrificing design integrity.

Every piece was delivered with both a stainless steel bracelet and a custom Army green rubber strap, allowing each wearer to choose the form that fits their life.

And on the back: Hampden’s patented removable Casecap system, which lets each owner seamlessly switch between a sapphire exhibition display or their fully engraved unit caseback.

The Custom 2/19 Caseback: A Story in Steel

The caseback engraving was developed in close collaboration with members of 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). The goal: to create a custom design from historic 2/19 imagery that honored the unit’s roots across three states, and the strength of the soldiers who served.

At the center of the Operator's caseback stands The Minuteman, representing the proud tradition of the National Guard. Behind him, a set of crossed arrows, echoing the Special Forces insignia. The anchor stands for Rhode Island, the mountains for West Virginia, and the buckeye tree for Ohio—three homes of the 2/19. Encircling the design: the Latin motto “Audentis Fortuna Iuvat” (“Fortune Favors the Bold”), and each member's unique serial number below reflecting their initials and years of service.

Swiss Build, Chicago Quality Control

Assembly for The Operator was completed in Switzerland by our partners at Marathon Watch in La Chaux-de-Fonds. In June, our team visited the factory to inspect the components in person and meet the watchmaker leading final assembly.

Once complete, every watch was shipped to our Chicago headquarters for final inspection, packaging, and fulfillment—combining Swiss craftsmanship with our fourth-generation American watchmaking legacy.

A Project That Set the Standard

The Operator is proof of what’s possible when we build custom watches in direct collaboration with those who will wear them.

At Hampden, we now offer the same process to other groups through our Legacy Program, with the ability to provide:

Low-MOQ custom watches with engraved casebacks and custom dials
Swiss-assembled mechanical timepieces with your group’s insignia
Flexible pre-sale models to reduce financial risk
Full concierge-level service from design to fulfillment

We’re proud to have helped 2/19 create something meaningful—and proud that their watches are now being worn around the world not just as timepieces, but as symbols of identity, service, and legacy.

Interested in building a custom group watch of your own?

Contact our Legacy Program to begin.