Maratac Compass Watch
The Maratac ACQ (Analog Quartz Compass) watch offered by CountyComm is made by Timex (essentially the same model as the Timex Expedition E-compass model), specially for Maratac (who make the Zulu watchbands shown above). A miniaturized digital sensor detects the earth’s magnetic field and also allows the user to adjust for local declination. The ACQ comes in a black watch ‘taco’ case, and is supplied with a black Zulu two-ring watchband. The watchband bars are solid and non-removable, and designed to be used with the Zulu bands.
The ACQ case is made from 316L stainless with a satin finish and is water-resistant to 100m. However, it’s not water-PROOF, and is not meant as a dive watch, so buttons should not be pressed when it’s submerged. The white face has large, easy to read markings, with one-second tics around the dial. It’s powered by a ‘proprietary four hand movement’, referring to the hour, minute and second hands, plus the skeletonized compass needle/hand. A small date window is located at 4:30 on the face. The two buttons above and below the crown are for activation and adjustment of the compass. The crown does not unscrew, but is pulled straight out for time, date and compass adjustments. Depressing the crown activates the Indiglo light for reading the face in the dark.
The bezel turns smoothly in both directions. North is marked by a luminous triangular insert at the top, and the other directions are marked in large letters. The bezel has ‘notches’ around its perimeter spaced every 10°. Using the notches, compass reading accuracy is about +/- 5°. Fine graduations at the top are for declination angle setting.