Trained temporal operatives are awarded a pocket watch of polished silver. The chain's material has been adjusted to match the new silver aesthetic of the watch. On the cover, the Solas Tempus insignia has been reimagined to feature a vertical, centrally placed sword with a golden detail on the blade, surrounded by dark blue geometric shapes reminiscent of ice crystals or wings. The inside engraving bears the motto: "Salva semper protegens historiae futuris exhalaret ultimum." The standard uniform now includes a special pocket to accommodate the new design of the watch and its chain, situated on the right side just under the rib cage. This honor may be bestowed upon officers or enlisted personnel, although it remains a rarity for non-commissioned officers to be designated as temporal operatives.
The watch continues to function as a significant status symbol akin to specific patches, medals, or tattoos within any military branch, serving also as identification and credentials. Solas Tempus protocol dictates that any person in possession of such a device should be regarded as having the credibility of a temporal operative, given the unlikely event that an operative would willingly part with their watch, much like an officer with their dog tags. Typically, an operative would present their issued challenge coin to establish their credentials.
Technology
Functionally, the watch remains a primarily mechanical pocket watch. The traditional sapphire crystals, which reduce friction within the timepiece, have been substituted with a synthetic crystalline substance that accumulates a low-level kinetic charge by converting ambient temporal flux into passive energy. At its core, the watch contains a microscopic temporal fissure within a dilithium lattice, emitting a small amount of temporal energy. This energy, in conjunction with the crystalline substance, ensures the watch maintains accurate time and provides the mechanical force required for operation.
Identification
An operative's name, serial number, and the date of issue are laser-etched along the balance wheel's edge. The watch is sealed after assembly, and the temporal fissure is activated, initiating the movement of the timepiece. Breaking the seal disrupts the balance and destabilizes the fissure, potentially causing it to close or phase out of reality. Each fissure emits a distinctive signature recorded at creation, which can identify the source of a device, the duration the fissure has been open, and whether it was generated within this time-stream.