Swiss watch brand
Traser: history, models and value
Traser is a Swiss brand of tactical and outdoor watches that glow constantly thanks to small tritium gas tubes. It belongs to mb-microtec, the company that makes those light sources.
- Founded
- 1989
- Founder(s)
- mb-microtec (Oskar Thüler)
- Headquarters
- Niederwangen (Bern)
- Owner / group
- mb-microtec AG
Traser: origins and founding
Traser is the watch brand of mb-microtec, a Swiss company founded in 1969 by the physicist Oskar Thüler in Niederwangen, near Bern. mb-microtec developed trigalight, small sealed glass tubes filled with tritium gas that glow without being charged by light or a battery.
In 1989 mb-microtec built a watch with these light sources for the US Army, the P6500 Type 6, made to the military specification MIL-W-46374F. That watch marked the birth of the Traser brand.
Traser history and milestones
- 1969: Oskar Thüler founds mb-microtec.
- 1989: the P6500 Type 6 for the US Army; the Traser brand is born. It was supplied by the hundreds of thousands.
- 2011: special edition for the Swiss Air Force.
- 2017: launch of the P68 Pathfinder Automatic.
- 2018: mb-microtec opens a new building in Niederwangen.
- 2020: the range is reorganized into Tactical, Outdoor and Diver lines.
- 2022: the P99 Tactical series.
- 2024: the P68 Pathfinder Solar.
Famous Traser models
- P6500 Type 6 / P65: the original military watch, later reissued.
- P67 Officer Pro and P67 Diver: field and dive watches, including bronze versions.
- P68 Pathfinder: outdoor watches, automatic and solar.
- P99 Tactical: a robust tactical line.
Movements and technique
The key feature of a Traser is the light, not the movement. Each hour marker and hand carries a tiny tritium tube, so the watch glows all night without charging. Tritium has a half-life of about 12 years, so the glow becomes gradually weaker over the years. The watches use Swiss quartz and automatic movements; the reissued P65, for example, runs on a Ronda quartz movement with an end-of-life battery indicator.
Traser today
Traser is still a brand of mb-microtec AG in Niederwangen, near Bern. Its watches are tool watches for military, rescue and outdoor use and are priced in the entry-to-mid segment. The brand is sold in more than 40 countries.
Traser prices on the pre-owned market
Traser watches are bought to be used, not collected, so pre-owned prices are usually well below the new price. Age matters more than with most brands: an older watch has dimmer tritium tubes, which lowers its appeal. Recent models in good condition, automatics, titanium versions and limited editions sell best. Original box and papers help.
How to recognise a genuine Traser
A genuine Traser glows in complete darkness without being charged by light first; ordinary luminous paint fades after a while, tritium tubes do not. The tubes should sit neatly on the hands and markers. Check for the Traser name and "Swiss Made" on the dial and clean caseback engravings. See also our guide on how to spot a fake watch.
What is your Traser worth?
Upload a few photos to our free watch value estimate for a quick market check. For an estate or insurance file, you can get a written watch appraisal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the glow of a Traser last?
Traser uses tritium gas tubes. Tritium has a half-life of about 12 years, so the glow slowly weakens over time but lasts many years without charging.
Who makes Traser watches?
Traser is a brand of mb-microtec AG, a Swiss company in Niederwangen near Bern that developed the trigalight tritium light sources.
Is the tritium in a Traser watch safe?
The tritium is sealed inside small glass tubes. If the watch is damaged, have it handled by a qualified service center rather than opening it yourself.
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