I liked the comparison with Milspecs I, in its civilian and military version.
It is clear that both watches share a similar aesthetic, adapting the TR-900 to the MilSpec I (in production when the latter Tornek saw the light). Its design, due to Mr. Tornek, who worked at Blancpain Firm, was based on the MilSpec I, making it clear that both share the same pattern.
As you say, military specification which was the basis for the Tornek is "U.S. "Mil-W-22176 (SHIPS) / WATCH, WRIST, SUBMERSIBLE (400-FOOT), NON-MAGNETIC", using in this case the PM-147 in place of Promethium 145, shorter-lived than the latter but less radioactive.
I add some extracts of the Tornek´s military specifications ...
The usual configuration...
A FF Milspec Militar with the same configuration....
As you say, the Tornek could be considered as a MilSpec II. However, another important point to add to Tornek´s design, in my opinion, is clearly the Bulova proto, watch that was destined to be the watch of the American Army at this time.
In a U.S. Navy manual we read:
"(12) A wristwatch, pressure-resistant, non-magnetic, and will incorporate certain desirable features not present in the current watch, is in development. The watch will probably be available for service tests in 1958)."
Totall appears with certainty that the new watch that was developing was the Bulova MIL-SHIPS-W-2181 (The precursor of the Tornek-Rayville TR-900 / MIL-W-22176A).
Unfortunately, the Bulova failed the test:
Three prototypes of the submersible watch BULOVA BuShips workmanship under contract and in accordance with MIL-Ships-W-2181 were evaluated. Water resistance, readability in the darkness and several subjective tests were conducted. The tests were carried out deep to 392 feet (175 psi) pressure, and stayed for an hour. The watch face includes a moisture indicator which changes color if it .... Two of the three moisture gauges, one during the test and another several days after the tests. Did not show traces of water or moisture in the boxes. The legibility of the watch in the dark or under water was satisfactory, except the second hand, too thin to be seen ... Several physical improvements are recommended as a result of subjective evaluation .... Not recommended acceptance of the watches because they break the seal...
The similarity of the Bulova and the Tornek is surprising, although we could also say that the design is strikingly similar to the Bulova...
I daresay that the Tornek Rayville is a watch that eventually incorporating aspects of both worlds: the Bulova (model under review by the U.S. Navy) and the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms MilSpec I.
But and important question came to my mind always that I think about the Tr-900 and the Bulova.... which watch took the similarities from which... The Bulova was based in the Milspec?? Evidently, some similar aspects are easily recongnicible in the Bulova from the in production Milspec; The Tornek was based in the Milspec and in the Bulova, taking the best in both worlds??.
I think, IMO, that we can consider that the father of both watches is the Milspec I.
In any case, the Milspec and the TR-900, have really nice points that can make select one or another. I love the crown in the Milspec (I don´t understand the small crown in the TR wich made quasi impossible opperate it), I love more the second hand on the Milspecs, the superdomed plexy in the Milspec is awesome (as an UFO), but the TR-900 become in a cult watch for it´s rarity and for it´s militar soul. The Milspec is more brutal, and the TR is more elegant (wich could be different, because certanlly the TR is a militar one and the MilspecI is "more civil".
The best of all, would be have both watches and enjoy the two worlds at the same time.
A hit, a myth, a watch that must be in any diver´s collector.
In my case, I think that the pity is that probably I´ll never be able to own one... but no problem, I can admire yours time by time....
Thanks for the pics, for the great work made, for your learning to us, which is the most important thing... and thanks to all that have spent some time making the learning of all of us (Stephan, Jeff, Bill, JC, and you, my dear Nico).
Emilio