Joshua Moritz: MTM Special OPS Hypertec-Hands on Review

MTM Special OPS Hypertec

When I think of MTM Special OPS watches, this Hypertec watch is not what really comes to mind. It is not chunky, it is not overly “tactical”, it doesn’t have any special lighting system and is not touted as being a military watch or a professional diving watch. I am still not sure what genre to list this Hypertec in other than a sports watch, and I think that is okay as some watches don’t have one classification. If I had to give it one, I guess it could be the weekend watch, the day at the beach watch and I guess depending on what you do for a living, a work watch. It is also much more affordable than the regular MTM lineup.

MTM Special OPS Hypertec Specifications:

MOVEMENT | Swiss Quartz Ronda 515.24 -24 Hour/ GMT Indicator, Date Window
CASE | 316L Solid Stainless Steel
BAND | Leather (as shown) 29 other choices
FINISH | Brushed Silver
BEZEL – OUTER | Unidirectional Ratcheting Bezel
BEZEL – INNER | Dual Directional
CROWN | Locking, Screw Down
GLASS | Sapphire Crystal; Anti Reflective & Scratch Resistant
DIAL | Brass – Available in 7 Colors to Choose From
HANDS | Super Luminous
WATER RESISTANCE | 330 Feet / 100 Meters W / Locking Case Back
CASE SIZE | 42 mm (12 mm Thickness )
WEIGHT | 4.7 oz.
BATTERY | Silver Oxide, Manufacturer Rated 4 Years Maximum
WARRANTY | 3 Years
PACKAGING | Securely Shipped In Its Own Watertight Tactical Case

Price as shown: $350 USD

https://www.specialopswatch.com/product-category/hypertec-h-61/

I have a love/hate relationship with MTM Watches. I guess the biggest reason would be their pricing. The build quality has always seemed good to me but I usually feel they really try and push the “Special OPS” and military attributes too hard where it comes across as nothing more than marketing and because of that, they have what I consider to be high prices. The MTM Special OPS Hypertec, on the other hand, comes in at $350 for the leather strap model I have in hand. There are of course other dial colors and other strap options, including a bracelet, and the price will depend on which version you choose.

The MTM Special OPS Hypertec is not marketed as a hard use, heavy duty watch like most of the Special OPS watches, rather they call it a lightweight and elegant timepiece. I am not so sure I would call it elegant; as a matter of fact, I definitely would not call it elegant. It still has that manly, rugged look with the blocky case shape and the hexagon pushers and hex screws for the lugs. Taking a look around the case, it has what I call hard lines and hard lines do not usually translate to elegant. Being honest, I don’t know if MTM knows how to describe this watch either. It is a stray from their normal lineup and while it is thinner than most of their models and less in your face tactical, I would not be putting this one with the formal attire-a situation where I would want something elegant.

While the MTM Special OPS Hypertec is not a do-everything watch, it does have a few nice features. The outer bezel does rotate, though it is not very easy to get a purchase on. The same can be said with the crowns. One crown operates the inner bezel, the other the time setting. Both are hard for me to grab and turn because they have no grip on them at all. They make look cool but are not overly functional. I do not find the 24 hour hand to be very functional either, only because it just feels small on the dial, and not easy to read at a glance. Part of that issue is they went with the same color for the 24-hour hand as they did with the second hand. Had they used a different color, the size would probably be moot.

There is only lume on the hour, minute and second hand, not the hour markers. Instead, MTM went with chrome finished applied indices. I am not sure why this watch is not lumed in a traditional matter, but I guess with their normal prices and this one being a budget option from the brand, some corners needed to be cut. That said, the lume that is on the dial is pretty bright.

The case back on the MTM Special OPS Hypertec is the same as we see on many of their watches-engraved with the knife logo. I feel maybe they could have gone with something different for these models. For a watch that is not marketed as tactical and definitely does not look tactical, having “Combat Tactical Precision’ on the back is odd, to say the least. That said, it is a nicely finished case back.

Because of the 42mm diameter and the much thinner case, the MTM Special OPS Hypertec is nice to wear. I did find the use of 24mm lugs to be on the large side though and if they had gone with 22mm lugs instead, it would have given the watch an even svelter appearance.

I think it is pretty obvious that the MTM Special OPS Hyptetc is a little confused as what it wants to be, and even though I knock it for a few things in this review, it is a budget option from the MTM brand, which if you have been wanting one of their watches but could not afford it, it would be an option. Overall it is well built and has good finishing for the price and the leather strap is the way to go in my opinion as it is thick and comfortable and has a nice custom buckle. It is not the in your face tactical look like most of the brand’s watches are and that may be a good or bad thing, depending on what you are looking for in a watch. Something I did not mention here in the written review, though it is pretty obvious in the photos, is the beautiful blue sunray dial. I will give props there, as the dial and color are really nice to look at. While it is cheaper, if you are really wanting an MTM hard use watch, this is not going to be it. You are better off saving your money for one of their other models or trying to find one at a deal of the day site.