Review: KHS Reaper MKII

German Brand, Swiss Movement

The KHS Reaper MKII is a tactical watch series from KHS [link], a German company specializing in military and special operations watches. It’s often positioned as an affordable entry-level option into their range, while still offering robust, purpose-built features.

My take-

I need to start this review with a short back-story. I ordered this watch online from KHS in Germany in early October. As I tracked the package I learned quickly the package had stalled and not changed status for weeks – still in Germany. I contacted the vendor, but it was out of their hands as it was held by DHL. KHS did their best to investigate the problem. I really have to hand it to them for taking this very seriously and keeping me informed. They issued me a new order using a different courier. Thank you Oliver Mayer, of the KHS Service Team for your outstanding customer service. For this alone, I highly recommend this watch maker.

This watch light 🙂 and sits nicely on my wrist with the included black NATO, which is better than most, and is nice and smooth, and thicker than many straps out there. The flat crystal is super clear, and while not Sapphire, is an extra-hardened mineral glass.

Looking at the dial – there’s plenty going on there! Look great! White markings on a pure black dial makes this one super easy to read. I really like the logo and H3 radiation symbol. It really gives off a Commando vibe. The red seconds hand really pops out and hits the markers exactly! Spinning the bezel is easy and uni-directional. The watch has a nice depth to it – I like a bit of 3D in my watches rather than the boring flat as paper models. It’s partly done to accomodate the tritium tubes, but I like it.

The only downside to the watch is that at this price, I would have liked to see a screw down crown and a Sapphire crystal. I can live with it.

This one’s going to get a lot of time on my wrist, I can tell.

Here are the key details and features, generally referring to the most recent versions like the KHS Reaper MKII and Reaper XTAC:

Key Features

• Design & Purpose: The watch is designed for tactical use, military operations, and outdoor adventures.
• Case Material: Newer models like the Reaper MKII often use NEOCARB®, a specially developed carbon fiber-polycarbonate composite material, making the watch very lightweight and robust. Some models, like the original Reaper XTAC, may have a carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate case with a screwed stainless steel case back.
• Movement: It features a high-quality SWISS MADE quartz movement (3 hands, date), believed to be the Ronda 515. It often includes a power-saving mechanism that reduces consumption by about 70% when the crown is pulled out. Ok for storage, I guess.
• Illumination: A critical tactical feature is the use of H3 gas light lamps (Trigalights®) for self-powered, continuous illumination. The watch has a T25 rating for the total T3 capacity.
• Crystal/Glass: It uses tough, scratch-resistant glass, often XENSATION® glass from SCHOTT® or extra-hardened mineral glass.
• Water Resistance: Typically rated at 10 Bar (100 meters / 330 feet).
• Bezel: Features a rotatable bezel, often with side grooves for better grip, even when wearing gloves.
• Dial and Hands: A matte black dial with Arabic numerals and a date window. The second hand is colored red for high-visibility tactical “to the second” operations.
• Dimensions: Approximately 50.0 x 49.0 x 13.5 (Length x Width x Height), although a truer diagonal measurement I estimate to be closer to 43mm.
• Straps: Available with various durable strap options, including NATO nylon, silicone, or leather.

Specifications

Specification	Details
Case Material	NEOCARB®
Case Dimensions	50.0 x 49.0 x 13.5 mm (it wears like a 43mm)
Weight	60 g
Lug width	22mm
Water Resistance	10 Bar (100 m)
Movement	Swiss Made Quartz Analog, 3 hands with date
Crown	Push in
Battery	No. 371
Illumination	14 Trigalight® (Tritium H3) tubes T25
Crystal	XENSATION® Glass by SCHOTT®
Strap	NATO strap, 22 mm width
Dial	Matte black with Arabic numerals, date window, red second hand
Shock Resistance	NIHS 91-10
Magnetic Resistance	18.8 Oe
Operating Temperature	0-50 °C

In essence, the KHS Reaper is known for being a very rugged, lightweight, and highly legible tactical watch that offers Swiss-made reliability with essential features for field use, at a relatively accessible price point within the KHS line.