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Osterkraut wrote:Go to Wal-Mart and buy the cheapest G-Shock they sell. Military watch.
I wear a Seiko 5 sometimes. It accomplishes all your objectives.
That's what I've been wondering. Wouldn't a real military watch (as opposed to a pretend military watch) basically just be a Timex Ironman or something else nigh-indestructible?
rotard wrote:I have a Casio G-Shock. I've seen it more than any other kind of watch during this deployment.
This man speaks the truth. Even pilots use it over the super expensive "aviator" watches. The G-shock was originally designed for the Navy SEALs as a cheaper, more durable alternative to their issued Rolex Frogmen watches. You should revise your search criteria, because you are not looking for a military watch.
Keith wrote:Osterkraut wrote:Go to Wal-Mart and buy the cheapest G-Shock they sell. Military watch.
I wear a Seiko 5 sometimes. It accomplishes all your objectives.
That's what I've been wondering. Wouldn't a real military watch (as opposed to a pretend military watch) basically just be a Timex Ironman or something else nigh-indestructible?
We're issued G-Shocks, or if you know somebody; Suuntos. That said, I rarely fly with one, our schedule is in Zulu, and I don't want any confusion (plus there's a clock everybody knows is set to local time so we know when to eat).
I have had Nixons for 9 years, and I swear by them. The only time I have had to replace one is when I lose it (about every 4 years going by past experience)...
That's the stuff...I was having a hard time choosing between two Gshocks a few months ago...the gw6900 and the gw3000. The answer was to just buy both, they are cheap.
My last G died from welding spatter. I think I have had six or seven now.
But I do lust after a Lum-tec.
Watch out for some of the newer g-shock watches (including new version of the classics), they have a GIANT red "G" on the watch face that makes the display tough to see at quite a few angles...
My 7S26-movement Seiko 5 lasted about a year before the case let in water, and now the crystal is permanently fogged up. Still runs good, but.
That said, I'd go for something like a "Pepsi"-bezeled Citizen auto. Kinda mimics an old Rolex, and you could switch between canvas/rubber or a metal band for a more formal look.
That G-Shock is gross.
If you want the same watch that those in the military who shoot stab and snatch people in the middle of the night use, its this one.
They use some kind of proprietary process that makes the "glowy" parts of the watch emit light, similar (or just the same as for all i know) to night sights on a gun. You can always see where the hands are even in pitch dark.
I've had this watch for several years and it just gave up the ghost, something in the winder/time set mechanism has come loose. Got it for like $30 off of Ebay, I don't think they make them anymore. Its called the Recon.
JohnGalt wrote:They use some kind of proprietary process.
Radiation.
And "operators" apparently don't like watches that glow like that, for obvious reasons. Sweet watch, though.
I would definitely agree with the sentiment that you are definitely not looking for a military watch. As an engineer, a Casio G-Shock is definitely something I plan on buying and wearing at work, but it wouldn't be my interview watch. Just go get a nice stainless steel Seiko for more formal occasions and a G-Shock for whenever else...
In reply to Osterkraut:
Yeah, iirc its trace tritium (sp?) That makes em glow.
I'm going to ask a dumb question. Does anyone in any if the services actually use an analog style chrono?
Osterkraut wrote:JohnGalt wrote:They use some kind of proprietary process.
Radiation.
And "operators" apparently don't like watches that glow like that, for obvious reasons. Sweet watch, though.
Huh so it is a decaying isotope just like my night sights. I forgot to mention that some of the watches come with a leather cover that slides over the watch face so the glow (which is pretty small) does not alert the man you are about to strangle/snatch/kill.
bluej wrote: I'm going to ask a dumb question. Does anyone in any if the services actually use an analog style chrono?
Use? As in while performing duties related to their occupation?
I know guys that wear all kinds of watches. But use? None of us really "use" a watch to tell time on the jet, because there's half a dozen time displays available. Couldn't tell you about ground-pounders. If brain-bytes are as valuable on the ground as they are in the air, then I'd suspect a lot of them use digital watches for ease of reading.
I had one of these a few months ago: http://www.amazon.com/Timex-T41301-Crown-Resin-Watch/dp/B00080L33A
I always thought of it of a poor man's Luminox.
When I was in the Army, I leaned toward inexpensive digital Timex or Casio watches and good aftermarket bands.
The day my terminal leave ended I made a personal ceremony of switching the watch from 24-hour to 12-hour mode.
Ditto, my combat mission watches were all $30 digital Timex watches. Mostly those '80's style ones because it was hard to accidentally trigger the backlight on them.
Anyway, for Ayn Rand, sometimes I shot and snatched people in the middle of the day too, saves batteries that way. Never any stabbing though, it just never came up.
PHeller wrote:The G-Shock is a great watch for someone who never needs to impress anyone but the guy shooting next to him.
But its also really big and bulky and not really office attire.
The model I have isn't really that bulky. I used to wear a Citizen Eco Drive as an interview/office watch. It was nice, but not too nice.
Back home, I usually use a cellphone instead of a watch, but that simply isn't practical out here. There's way too much dust, falls, mud etc. that makes it easy to mess one up.
I think spending $200 on two watches might fit the bill better for you.
I have a cheaper Timex Ironman that I use in the field/camping/hiking/swimming. It's been banged off rocks, submerged for a while in salt and freshwater, dunked in oil, and abused but it's always been working fine. Plus, the alarm and glow feature are great for camping or to wake up early to hit the trail/field work/job. It's cheap enough that I can junk it should it break- plus being digital, it's light. Yes it takes a battery, but out of habbit, I put a new one in once a year or so... $10 once a year is very cheap insurance to me.
Have another $150 classy looking watch for your dates and interviews. Keep that one nice and clean. Personally, I'm a huge fan of the Swiss Army watches. That will be my next purchase when I need a new "nice" watch. It will be fine if cought in the rain, but it won't see time underwater or in the mud. Some may blow your budget but some should be fine.
How often will you really be going from an interview or date straight into a mountaineering expidition.
Also, being that I know you personally, you aren't the easiest/kindest on any equipment. You tend to find flaws/weaknesses in things really fast and break them. Get something disposable or rugged for your adventures.
Keith wrote:Wouldn't a real military watch (as opposed to a pretend military watch) basically just be a Timex Ironman or something else nigh-indestructible?
Yep.
Notice the national stock number. I still have a couple of the cheaper Timex versions, they are nearly identical to the one I linked to on the first page. I think the same NSN is sourced from a few vendors.
Uncle Sam likes 'em cheap and simple. I still have a couple floating around, and they still work. Not indestructible, but far more durable than most.
Simple and tough. They get banged on, submirged, and covered in crap so it just needs to work and be easy to read with a band that won't fall apart. ( spent a few years crawling around in the weeds)
The one pictured by Heath is made by Marathon and no cheaper than the Seiko 5 or Citizen BM6400.
You guys found me out though, I'm not really looking for a military watch. I'd never wear a Suunto or G-Shock unless they had all the sensors, otherwise is a grotesque piece of plastic hanging on your arm. With the sensors they are pretty useful, but they also get pricey.
I want a military "styled" analog watch. That is something simple, with no dive dials, date, good lume, and good water resistance. Timex models all sacrifice accuary, water resistance, overall construction strength, and battery life.
I think I've found a Seiko 5 that I want, just gotta make sure it has the water resistance I need.
It'll get a different band, of course.
Official watch of the Swiss Navy.
I had two of these while I was a grunt. The only reason I had two was the strap broke, and no one ever seemed to have replacement ones. The band is super comfy, it stays in place, and it took all sorts of abuse.
The only people I ever saw wearing those Gshocks and what not were the Geardos. Most guys had some kind of Timex. I recently switches to the Expedition, which I don't like as much because it moves too much.
Also, I hope you guys are happy. I'm not really a watch guy but I found like 5 from this thread that I really want.
