Military watch Jacques Bianchi Marseille JB300 Noire
Starting from 1.395 €The Jacques Bianchi Marseille JB300 Black is a military-inspired diving watch conceived as a contemporary reinterpretation of a model originally developed for French Army divers in the early 1990s. Its black PVD-coated 316L stainless steel case, “Maxi Dial” and oversized unidirectional bezel give it a dark, functional and instantly recognisable presence. Water-resistant to 300 metres and equipped with a Swiss SoProd P024 automatic movement and a flat sapphire crystal, it combines robustness, legibility and professional heritage. Produced as a numbered series of 500 pieces and supplied with two black straps, this diver’s watch is intended for enthusiasts of tool watches, French military history and timepieces assembled in Marseille.
Jacques Bianchi Marseille JB300 Black military diving watch
Jacques Bianchi Marseille has built its identity around the sea, professional diving and tool watches developed for demanding environments. During the 1980s and 1990s, the Marseille-based watchmaker notably designed models connected with the operational requirements of French military units. The JB300 appeared in the early 1990s as a watch intended for French Army divers. Its robust silhouette, large notched bezel and dual 12/24-hour display reflect a design focused primarily on practical use rather than decoration.
The JB300 Black directly continues this heritage. Following more than two years of development, the historic model returned in an updated form while retaining the elements that shaped its original identity. The oversized unidirectional bezel allows precise handling, including when wearing gloves, while the matt black “Maxi Dial” prioritises immediate readability. The red 24-hour markings recall the visual codes of military watches and reinforce the distinctive character of this version.
The black PVD coating applied to the 316L stainless steel case gives the watch a more discreet and tactical appearance than the standard steel editions. This all-black finish does not turn the JB300 into a purely stylistic exercise: it remains a diver’s watch water-resistant to 300 metres, powered by a Swiss automatic movement and fitted with luminescent elements. Produced as a numbered series of 500 pieces, it combines military history, Mediterranean culture and a contemporary approach to the mission watch.
Jacques Bianchi Marseille JB300 Black technical specifications
- Brand: Jacques Bianchi Marseille
- Model: JB300 Black
- Reference: Not disclosed
- Indicative price: €1,395
- Movement: Swiss automatic
- Calibre: SoProd P024
- Diameter: 41.5 mm
- Thickness: 12.7 mm
- Water resistance: 300 m / 30 bar
- Materials: 316L stainless steel
- Crystal: Flat sapphire crystal
- Dial: Matt black “Maxi Dial”
- Straps: Black Tropic and black Perlon straps
- Warranty: 2 years
- Package contents: Watch, 2 straps
The Jacques Bianchi Marseille JB300 Black military diving watch
The Jacques Bianchi Marseille JB300 Black retains the characteristic architecture of the historic JB300 in a fully black configuration. Its black PVD-coated 316L stainless steel case measures 41.5 mm in diameter, providing enough presence to preserve the spirit of an instrument watch without becoming excessively large. The lugs have been redesigned to improve comfort, while the screw-down crown at 3 o’clock is positioned between two protective guards. This construction helps protect the crown from accidental impacts and contributes to the compact shape of the case.
The large oversized unidirectional bezel is one of the model’s most distinctive features. Its pronounced notches make it easier to grip and directly evoke the military version produced during the 1990s. A Super-LumiNova® marker positioned at 12 o’clock makes the bezel’s starting point visible in low-light conditions. The matt black “Maxi Dial” reduces reflections and features eleven green-emission luminescent hour markers, complemented by luminous hands. The red inner 24-hour scale provides an additional military-style reading and discreetly enlivens the overall design.
The flat sapphire crystal protects the dial and contributes to the watch’s overall durability. With its uniform black coating, robust proportions and deliberately functional display, the JB300 Black has a strong presence on the wrist. Nevertheless, it remains designed as a coherent and highly legible instrument, guided more by practical use than ornamentation.
A military diver’s watch designed for practical use
The JB300 Black is powered by the Swiss SoProd P024 automatic calibre. This movement provides the essential functions expected from a diving watch: hours, minutes, seconds and date. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, features 25 jewels and provides a power reserve of approximately 38 hours. This proven mechanical movement is consistent with the spirit of the watch, prioritising reliability, simplicity and long-term servicing over an accumulation of complications.
Its 300-metre, or 30-bar, water resistance places the JB300 Black firmly within the category of serious diving watches. The screw-down crown, solid caseback, sapphire crystal and unidirectional bezel form a construction suited to monitoring immersion time and demanding water-based activities. The deeply notched bezel remains easy to operate, while the matt dial and large luminescent markers improve legibility in low-light conditions. However, the watch is not presented as being certified according to the ISO 6425 diving-watch standard.
Jacques Bianchi Marseille provides two wearing options. The black Tropic rubber strap is naturally suited to use in the water and reinforces the watch’s sporting character. The black Perlon strap directly recalls the straps fitted to certain military-issued watches during the 1990s. The 20 mm lug width also makes changing the strap straightforward. Produced as a numbered series of 500 pieces, this version combines diving capability, a distinctive tactical aesthetic and a claimed historical connection with French military equipment.
Jacques Bianchi Marseille JB300 Black diving watch: military heritage
The Jacques Bianchi Marseille JB300 Black is a military diving watch produced as a numbered series of 500 pieces. Its black PVD-coated 316L stainless steel case measures 41.5 mm in diameter and 12.7 mm in thickness. It features an oversized unidirectional bezel, a flat sapphire crystal and a matt black “Maxi Dial” fitted with Super-LumiNova® hour markers and hands. Its Swiss SoProd P024 automatic movement displays the hours, minutes, seconds and date. Water-resistant to 300 metres, it is supplied with a black Tropic strap and a black Perlon strap.
Movement
The JB300 Black is powered by the Swiss SoProd P024 automatic calibre. This 25-jewel movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides approximately 38 hours of power reserve. It delivers a simple and practical display comprising hours, minutes, central seconds and date, without unnecessary complications.
Diameter and materials
The 316L stainless steel case receives a black PVD coating that reinforces the watch’s instrument-like appearance. Its stated diameter is 41.5 mm, with a measured thickness of 12.7 mm. The screw-down crown is protected by crown guards, while the lug width measures 20 mm.
Water resistance
With a water resistance of 300 metres, or 30 bar, the JB300 Black is suitable for diving and demanding water-based activities. Its unidirectional bezel allows the wearer to monitor elapsed time, while the screw-down crown, solid caseback and sapphire crystal complete its robust construction.
Accessories
The watch is supplied with two black 20 mm straps. The Tropic rubber strap is intended primarily for sporting and aquatic use. The black Perlon strap recalls the straps fitted to military-issued watches during the 1990s. The two options make it easy to vary the watch’s style and wearing comfort.
Warranty
Jacques Bianchi Marseille provides a two-year commercial warranty for its products, in addition to the applicable statutory guarantees. The currently accessible terms and conditions do not precisely detail the components covered. It is therefore advisable to retain the proof of purchase and all documents supplied with the watch.
Jacques Bianchi Marseille JB300 Noire The pros
and cons
- 300-metre water resistance
- Swiss SoProd automatic movement
- Highly legible luminescent dial
- Two straps supplied as standard
- Numbered series of 500 pieces
- Power reserve limited to approximately 38 hours
- Potentially large size on a small wrist
- Limited availability
- A bold design
Prices and technical specifications are subject to change. Content and photos are not contractual.
