37 replies to this topic

[Griff]

What is, or could be the best military watch, and why?
From a certain other thread, I would suggest a Seiko BM would be a bad choice.........too big, too heavy.......too clumsy.
I can see why a black polycarbonate case would be good, and therefore why a Traser would be a good choice.
I'm sure price would be a factor also, so the SMP would probably be ruled out.
I think a non battery watch would be my choice, and I would lean towards a titanium Citizen Eco Drive chrono.
I'm sure they do one.............dont they!!???
Without chrono I'd pick a O & W M5 or the PRS17 A

[PhilM]

Marathon SAR, they seem to be pretty solid watches

What about the good old G10

[mat]

Unfortunatly I'd pick a G-Shock, especially after reading about Nuno Gomes. Personally, I can't see the benefit of solar or kinetic over a 10 year battery.
If I was choosing a mechanical, it might well be a Vostok Amphibia with their tough acrylic crystals, 200m water resistance and price.

cheers,

mat

[Stan]

Interesting question but do we approach it from the point of view of the MoD or a serving member of the forces for personal requirement?

The two may be rather different.

Many of the young people I know serving at the moment choose a G-Shock of some kind but the MoD will procure what it feels is the right tool to issue for a particular type of job.

Why did the MoD need a watch like the G10 WWEGS? They are not waterproof to a great degree are they? They are waterproof enough for personnel who’s other equipment meets the needs of “general operations” though. How waterproof were the watches that soldiers took to battle in WW1?

The MoD needed a watch like the G10 to be rugged (they are if properly maintained), reliable and accurate (good quality quartz movement). To be easy to use, hacking seconds and knowing the MoD, good value for the tax payer.

I doubt there would be one watch suitable for every job that the forces will find themselves called in to do.

Just my opinion.

[raketakat]

Something from the Lorus "lumibrite dial" range for me , or a Casio.

I don't trust the government to do much right. I certainly wouldn't let them choose my watch for me .

The G10 is out of date and unfit for purpose IMO.

[James]

Kind of wide open you leaving it. Myself I honestly prefer the 67-69 Benrus.

As far as new, Marathon SAR auto with tritium tubes built to last but the tubes do have a half live I believe about 12-15 years

[raketakat]

How waterproof were the watches that soldiers took to battle in WW1?

Surely only the officers could afford them then .

[ESL]

Something from the Lorus "lumibrite dial" range for me , or a Casio.

I don't trust the government to do much right. I certainly wouldn't let them choose my watch for me .

The G10 is out of date and unfit for purpose IMO.

What purpose whould that be, John?


A tough piece of kit, that can be relied upon to tell the time under just about any conditions? Look as though it fits the bill to me.

[Stan]

How waterproof were the watches that soldiers took to battle in WW1?

Surely only the officers could afford them then .

The trench wristlets probably but most watches then would certainly have been of the pocket variety. There were many "good value" pocket watches made in the UK and USA in those days and I suspect a lot of soldiers had a watch in the trenches (for as long as they lasted).

Just found this specification for WW1 German pattern U-4 trousers, note the watch pocket.

"U-4. Trousers (Tuchose)

A. Cloth Trousers (Foot Troops):

Made of field grey, grey green (Jäger, Jäger zu Pferde, Stabsordonnanzen, and MG Battalions only), or stone grey wool or wool blend material.

May or may not have piping. If piped, they must be piped along the outside seam in the color appropriate to the unit portrayed. Piping diameter will not exceed 4mm.

Must have 2 slanted front pocket slits with internal pocket pouches.

Must have an internal watch pocket.

Will be cut high waisted and have an adjusting belt with buckle across the rear lower waist-line (side seam to side seam).

If permitted by unit standards, corduroy trousers (called Manchesterhosen) matching the same criteria may be worn. They may be grey, field grey, brown, or black and made of medium or fine wale corduroy."

Perhaps British issued trousers had a watch pockt also?

[raketakat]

Something from the Lorus "lumibrite dial" range for me , or a Casio.

I don't trust the government to do much right. I certainly wouldn't let them choose my watch for me .

The G10 is out of date and unfit for purpose IMO.

What purpose whould that be, John?

I've never been in the army George, but I try and use my feeble imagination .

I would be looking for something that would be clearly legible, at a glance, in darkness.

The G10 may be a stereotypical, classic, military watch but doesn't do it for me.

[James]

Yea on the subject of trench watches very collectable just depends your needs out of it and no they were not waterprrof why it's so hard to find one that was in use still about. trench pieces do look stunning and you will always have lookers asking what is that............

[bry1975]

[ESL]

Funnily enough, I was in for 10 years and saw a fair bit of shit, and the funny bit was that our stores never used to like issuing the watches they had.

However based on my personal experience:

steel bodied - absolute must for durability

fixed bars - ditto (the times I have popped springbars is just not funny)

acryilic crystal - (the times i have bashed watch cyrstals etc. etc)

reliable lume - note - not bright. In modern warfare, the last thing you need is a friggin lighthouse on your wrist - with basic night vision and image intensifier gear these days, you will be seen from miles away and find yourself wearing a wooden box before you can say "Hmmm time for a cuppa". And I did say reliable - so for me, that rules out GTLS. They are little glass tubes and are not shock proof - I know, I have had a watch with them in and broke one (and I was not serving either!). Ordinary lume is maintenance free and won't break - show it some sunlight and it works.

strong, fabric strap - yes, I know they get minging, but they are generally less sweaty, you just about can't break 'em and you can always wash em when the wabi level gets outrageous!

clear, utterly unambiguous time display - when you REALLY need to know the time in military "situations", it's generally bloody important! Analogue displays are proven to be more instinctive and most people can just glance at an analogue clock face and almost subliminally know what time it is, or the time difference between now and the last time they looked. Complex or even some non complex digital displays, nearly always require you to conciously "read" the time, before your brain processess the information.

For me, a very good miitary watch (lume apart) might be an Omega Seamaster SM300, black version, in quartz, with an acryilic crystal, fixed bars and a ballistic nylon strap

Failing that - I would have a G10

[mach 0.0013137]

I`ve never been in the military but considering how this has survived years of abuse


Citizen 150m Diver c1970`s, Citizen `8200` Series, 21 Jewels



I`d suggest a Citizen eg a black dialed version of this...

Citizen Dolphin Divers, NH8050-01LT, cal8200 21 Jewels


Or with a Nato strap this....

Citizen Blue Eagle, NH6600-54FB, Miyota 8200 Series 21 Jewels



OK I appreciate that the Blue Eagle might appear to be an odd choice but it has tight fit screw in bars, some protection for the crystal and despite it`s looks is practical to wear, athough it`s led a shelterd life I`m certain it could put up with knocks in the field

Edited by mach 0.0013137, 11 October 2006 - 06:20 PM.

[Stan]

Funnily enough, I was in for 10 years and saw a fair bit of shit, and the funny bit was that our stores never used to like issuing the watches they had.

Sgt. Titus Aduckass of QM stores I'll bet.