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Non Tool Forum => Watch it! => Topic started by: LOWW on December 01, 2017, 10:29:13 PM

Title: "Military Watch"?
Post by: LOWW on December 01, 2017, 10:29:13 PM
Hi
Some Company claim to produce Military Watches. So what should be the difference between Mil and non Mil Watches?
Maybe I will get a Watch but I refuse the crime rate here increase and I have fear that someone steal it.  :ahhh
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: BleaKrytE on December 09, 2017, 10:35:35 PM
Military watches are usually way sturdier than normal ones. Also have many other features, like solar charging, gps for adjusting time zones, compass, etc


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Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: BleaKrytE on December 09, 2017, 10:36:20 PM
Casio has a line of them, I don't quite remember the name though.


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Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on December 09, 2017, 11:41:57 PM
As I recall, all watches worn on the wrist are descendants of military watches.  I believe it was during WWI that soldiers started wearing pocket watches on their wrists because it was easier than pulling out a pocket watch all the time, and it caught on when they returned home.

I could have my facts slightly askew, but that is the story I have been told.  I don't know how accurate it is.

Def
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Syncop8r on December 10, 2017, 12:02:42 AM
As I recall, all watches worn on the wrist are descendants of military watches.  I believe it was during WWI that soldiers started wearing pocket watches on their wrists because it was easier than pulling out a pocket watch all the time, and it caught on when they returned home.

I could have my facts slightly askew, but that is the story I have been told.  I don't know how accurate it is.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch Scroll down to "Wrissmurfch" - looks like they were around earlier than that but became popular because of WW1.
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Smashie on December 10, 2017, 12:10:25 AM
As I recall, all watches worn on the wrist are descendants of military watches.  I believe it was during WWI that soldiers started wearing pocket watches on their wrists because it was easier than pulling out a pocket watch all the time, and it caught on when they returned home.

I could have my facts slightly askew, but that is the story I have been told.  I don't know how accurate it is.

Def

Grant is pretty much spot on, that also held true for the development of the wrist watch.

Watches were commonly issued up until around the 1990's, after that they tended to be a need basis, pilots, navigators and 'some' but not all special forces. The watches are also built to the same requirement as all military kit, simple, reliable and either disposable or easy to repair. A heck of a lot soldiers wear casios, but they aren't issued with them. Oh and god help them if the hour chime or any beeps/alarms happen.

My issue watch is the Cabot Watch Company General Service watch, Issued to me in 96 because I had a need for it (and I destroyed my previous one  :oops:).

The lesson here is you give a poor underpaid soldier something that can be 'lost', they will get sold, because soldiers are horribly underpaid.

Mine

(https://image.ibb.co/dZxO7w/20161214_125327521_i_OS.jpg)
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Smashie on December 10, 2017, 01:58:32 AM
As an update have a squint at this https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/108746/response/270595/attach/html/3/99109A36.doc.html

You'll notice the GSW is the least issued watch, so it's got a lot worse since my day
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Etherealicer on December 12, 2017, 05:37:58 PM
Is there a military that equips its soldiers with watches?
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Smashie on December 12, 2017, 06:06:07 PM
Is there a military that equips its soldiers with watches?

On the whole the answer is no, most soldiers have G-Shocks, defence procurement is such a drawn out and expensive process and casios are inexpensive.
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: pomsbz on December 12, 2017, 06:13:07 PM
Pretty much everyone drafted into the army here gets a G-Shock and an LM Wave from family and friends or they save up for them. Unfortunately when I went in my family were still in the UK, my friends poor and I had saved up my money for sunglasses. :D I had a decent Citizen chronograph my dad had given me when I was 14. It lasted ten years of 24/7 and when it eventually died my dad bought me a new one, he said I had proven that I was a good investment for his gifts.
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Smashie on December 12, 2017, 06:25:32 PM
Pretty much everyone drafted into the army here gets a G-Shock and an LM Wave from family and friends or they save up for them. Unfortunately when I went in my family were still in the UK, my friends poor and I had saved up my money for sunglasses. :D I had a decent Citizen chronograph my dad had given me when I was 14. It lasted ten years of 24/7 and when it eventually died my dad bought me a new one, he said I had proven that I was a good investment for his gifts.

I forgot about the IDF  :facepalm:
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: pomsbz on December 12, 2017, 06:33:08 PM
Pretty much everyone drafted into the army here gets a G-Shock and an LM Wave from family and friends or they save up for them. Unfortunately when I went in my family were still in the UK, my friends poor and I had saved up my money for sunglasses. :D I had a decent Citizen chronograph my dad had given me when I was 14. It lasted ten years of 24/7 and when it eventually died my dad bought me a new one, he said I had proven that I was a good investment for his gifts.

I forgot about the IDF  :facepalm:

Nah, we weren't issued them at all. I don't remember anything of the sort issued to be honest and I'm sure it's no different now 16 years later. We did get a good Gillette Mach 3 if that helps? :D My wife 'borrowed' it when we got married and suddenly it wasn't mine any more. :D I've still got my sewing kit in BoB actually as well as my 'Israeli Bandage' which was standard issue. I was too English and proper to borrow quite as much as my compatriots might have :)
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Smashie on December 12, 2017, 06:47:36 PM
Pretty much everyone drafted into the army here gets a G-Shock and an LM Wave from family and friends or they save up for them. Unfortunately when I went in my family were still in the UK, my friends poor and I had saved up my money for sunglasses. :D I had a decent Citizen chronograph my dad had given me when I was 14. It lasted ten years of 24/7 and when it eventually died my dad bought me a new one, he said I had proven that I was a good investment for his gifts.

I forgot about the IDF  :facepalm:

Nah, we weren't issued them at all. I don't remember anything of the sort issued to be honest and I'm sure it's no different now 16 years later. We did get a good Gillette Mach 3 if that helps? :D My wife 'borrowed' it when we got married and suddenly it wasn't mine any more. :D I've still got my sewing kit in BoB actually as well as my 'Israeli Bandage' which was standard issue. I was too English and proper to borrow quite as much as my compatriots might have :)

You got a Mach 3, luxury! I got a pack of 5 disposables BIC's!

I've got a lot of respect for IDF, I've served and worked with them for many years  :salute:
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Syncop8r on December 12, 2017, 08:00:38 PM
It seems strange that they expect you to provide something that is relied upon so heavily for your 'job'.
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: pomsbz on December 12, 2017, 08:35:05 PM
Pretty much everyone drafted into the army here gets a G-Shock and an LM Wave from family and friends or they save up for them. Unfortunately when I went in my family were still in the UK, my friends poor and I had saved up my money for sunglasses. :D I had a decent Citizen chronograph my dad had given me when I was 14. It lasted ten years of 24/7 and when it eventually died my dad bought me a new one, he said I had proven that I was a good investment for his gifts.

I forgot about the IDF  :facepalm:

Nah, we weren't issued them at all. I don't remember anything of the sort issued to be honest and I'm sure it's no different now 16 years later. We did get a good Gillette Mach 3 if that helps? :D My wife 'borrowed' it when we got married and suddenly it wasn't mine any more. :D I've still got my sewing kit in BoB actually as well as my 'Israeli Bandage' which was standard issue. I was too English and proper to borrow quite as much as my compatriots might have :)

You got a Mach 3, luxury! I got a pack of 5 disposables BIC's!

I've got a lot of respect for IDF, I've served and worked with them for many years  :salute:

And straight back to you lot as well!  :salute: my grandad was HLI (Dunkirk, D-Day, Antwerp), my great grandfather was Scots Guards (the Somme, 2nd battle, he got gassed which probably saved his life compared to going over the top!). 
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on December 14, 2017, 06:07:42 PM
It seems strange that they expect you to provide something that is relied upon so heavily for your 'job'.

Yes and no.  Much of the issue items were selected because they could be purchased very inexpensively en masse.  Need I remind you what happened to the multitool currently issued to the Australian military?

(http://gallery.multitool.org/var/resizes/SHOT2012/Schrade/103_3527.JPG?m=1329869900)

Def
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Etherealicer on December 15, 2017, 08:59:34 AM
It seems strange that they expect you to provide something that is relied upon so heavily for your 'job'.

Yes and no.  Much of the issue items were selected because they could be purchased very inexpensively en masse.  Need I remind you what happened to the multitool currently issued to the Australian military?

(http://gallery.multitool.org/var/resizes/SHOT2012/Schrade/103_3527.JPG?m=1329869900)

Def
But watches can be had really cheap... I mean here you get a "sporsmurfch" (watch + step counter) for free, if you buy 3 packs of gum. Seriously, bought in large quantities, you should be able to get a decent watch for really cheap.
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: ironraven on December 16, 2017, 04:04:25 AM
Is there a military that equips its soldiers with watches?

Depends on the unit. As a one size fits all, everyone get the same issue watch, doubt it. But there are unit buys and plenty of models of watch have NATO stock numbers as a result, particularly aviation. But even then, half the guys will have their own watch. G-shock is popular, so is Luminox.

There are also people who work in plain clothes who are issued a Rolex or Breitlieg, but you bring it back, account for it properly (using it to buy your way out of Kablamograd when it turns into Hang A Westerner Day), or buy it. Just like your escape money and spare IDs. :P Although those guys are usually diplomatic corps or missionaries.
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on December 19, 2017, 06:59:00 PM
It seems strange that they expect you to provide something that is relied upon so heavily for your 'job'.

Yes and no.  Much of the issue items were selected because they could be purchased very inexpensively en masse.  Need I remind you what happened to the multitool currently issued to the Australian military?

(http://gallery.multitool.org/var/resizes/SHOT2012/Schrade/103_3527.JPG?m=1329869900)

Def
But watches can be had really cheap... I mean here you get a "sporsmurfch" (watch + step counter) for free, if you buy 3 packs of gum. Seriously, bought in large quantities, you should be able to get a decent watch for really cheap.

Absolutely true- I remember buying cheap digital watches out of a vending machine for $1 about thirty years ago.  IN that time the price has probably gone down and the quality has probably come up, but even so I wouldn't want to trust precise military operational timing to one.

Def
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Syncop8r on December 19, 2017, 10:13:08 PM
Need I remind you what happened to the multitool currently issued to the Australian military?
I don't actually know what happened. Did personnel sell them off?
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on December 19, 2017, 11:25:05 PM
Need I remind you what happened to the multitool currently issued to the Australian military?
I don't actually know what happened. Did personnel sell them off?

Probably, but that's not what I am talking about.

I was at SHOT a few years ago with J-Sews (aka Bob) and we snuck into the Schrade booth to look at these.  I believe there is a Shoot On Sight order for the two of us where Taylor Craplery is concerned, so we pretended to be someone else.

At any rate, Bob decided to show me just how pathetic the "Tough Tool" was and he crushed it in his bare hands.  You will notice the handles of the silver one in the pic above above are much closer than the black ones, which Bob didn't grab.

Now, Bob, for anyone who doesn't know, is a machinist, and they tend to have a pretty strong grip, so you could try to defend Schrade's honor by saying most people don't have bear traps at the ends of their wrists like Bob does, but you weren't there to see how little effort he put into bending the handles.  Seriously, they were in his hand for maybe a second or two, tops, and he barely put any pressure on them at all and look what happened.

And they expect the military to use these hunks of monkey poo.   :facepalm:

Def
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on December 19, 2017, 11:28:49 PM
You can read the original sordid thread here:

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,34807.0.html

Def
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: RR1551 on October 29, 2018, 08:41:50 PM
Bulletproof Eco(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181029/b983a87ef3630c3cb0f6cb1294101be7.jpg)

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Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: eTripper on November 13, 2018, 05:33:21 AM
Some watch companies do have government contracts for watches like:  Marathon, Luminox, IWC, and in the past Hamilton.  Issued to Special Operators, and certain military occupations.  Other units, and especially pilots; will do group buys of a particular favored brand like Glycine, Breitling, or Chase-Durer.

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmekCnpuFD0/UjUBWjTvItI/AAAAAAAAQO8/hOVPMYCdLM8/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg)

Here's a pic of my Luminox from the EDC rotation:

(https://i.imgur.com/XOr9EIOl.jpg?1)
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Smashie on December 14, 2018, 09:58:58 PM
I’ve got a Marathon GSAR and my old CWC general service issue.

A new watch is being issued now in the UK to certain people.  Link (https://www.elliotbrownwatches.com/holton)

Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: ezdog on December 14, 2018, 10:27:10 PM
Marathon JDD

I am never sure that I have enough arm for it?!

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181214/d658563ce2d0cf463b7474f71ec56d1e.jpg)


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Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Smashie on January 15, 2019, 10:53:01 PM
Marathon JDD

I am never sure that I have enough arm for it?!

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181214/d658563ce2d0cf463b7474f71ec56d1e.jpg)


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There are 3 different sizes of this Marathon :tu:
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Ray S on January 30, 2019, 01:35:07 AM


Here's a pic of my Luminox from the EDC rotation:

WOW! I bet you could almost use that for a flashlight when it starts glowing! :D Seriously some nice looking watches posted here. I recently dug an old military watch out of my parts bin and am contemplating having it repaired. It's awaterproof 15 jewel Bulova likely from the WWII era although I don't know if it saw any combat. Heck I don't even remember where I got it!
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: ezdog on January 30, 2019, 02:36:39 AM
Marathon JDD

I am never sure that I have enough arm for it?!

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181214/d658563ce2d0cf463b7474f71ec56d1e.jpg)


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There are 3 different sizes of this Marathon :tu:
Yes this is the big one,I had the medium but of course could not just stop there?


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Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Smashie on January 30, 2019, 08:31:46 AM
Marathon JDD

I am never sure that I have enough arm for it?!

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181214/d658563ce2d0cf463b7474f71ec56d1e.jpg)


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There are 3 different sizes of this Marathon :tu:
Yes this is the big one,I had the medium but of course could not just stop there?


Sent from my iPhone,dont expect too much

I wanted their chronograph initially. Then I tried it on and bought a Damasko instead. The chrono is freaking huge!


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Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: ddogu on January 30, 2019, 08:39:20 AM
AFAIK special wrist watches with dials on the left side have been made for WW2 pilots. They wore thick and bulky jackets and equipment, and the regular dial (which is on the right side of the watch) would catch on the sleeve or equipment while putting on. To prevent this some brands switched the location of the dial.
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Ray S on January 31, 2019, 12:24:09 AM
AFAIK special wrist watches with dials on the left side have been made for WW2 pilots. They wore thick and bulky jackets and equipment, and the regular dial (which is on the right side of the watch) would catch on the sleeve or equipment while putting on. To prevent this some brands switched the location of the dial.

While I am not sure that was the reason for locating the crown at the 9 o'clock position rather than the more common 3 o'clock spot, I do know that it is more comfortable(and practical)for us left handed people who wear their watches on their right wrists. My Breitling Chrono-Matic has the crown at 9 o'clock and that is a pilot's watch although I don't know how many pilots were primarily left handed.It is a truly left handed watch as my jeweler can attest to because when he was repairing it he found that itall the components were mirror image to a conventional right handed watch whereas the Invicta and the H-D watch they merely flipped the case and installed a new dial.The Invicta chronograph buttons are exactly opposite a standard one.My Breitling Navitimer is also a pilot's watch and it has the crown at 3 o'clock. I also have an Invicta chronograph and a Harley-Davidson watch that are left handed.
  I have a couple of other watches that have the crown at 4 o'clock(a Wyler and a Seiko)that are not chronographs.This would seem a better solution than moving the crown 180 degrees.
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: William on February 01, 2019, 04:11:38 PM
CWC RN Diver;
(https://i.imgur.com/5OWtAxcl.jpg)
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Sea Monster on February 01, 2019, 07:29:09 PM
Quote
precise military operational timing


I'm no expert, but it seems to me that can't possibly be a thing.

I know how hard it is to even get one child to cooperate and do what you want them to do, when you want them to do it. I can't imagine the difficulties of trying to get hundreds, maybe thousands of children to do the right thing at the right time. A good watch is probably the least of their problems.


ANYWAY - Arguably any watch (or any thing) could be issued as a military item - Aside from olive drab stuff supplied under bulk contract/specification, most government agencies will have a procurement wing that can buy whatever they need (want?, looks cools? is desired by a corrupt person in a decision making position, but it looks suss to just buy 1 for themselves, so they buy 5,000, keep the one they wanted, and who cares what happens to the rest?) so if it comes to pass that someone needs a watch (the military, the ambos, the ticket inspectors, anyone who works for a department that has the funding and resources to procure...stuff) could be issued this that or the other thing, (including watches, if you like)

Obviously this is known to every manufacturer and supplier ever, so they constantly vie for attention with their "mil spec" or "mil grade" or whatever items, hoping to catch the eye of someone who has the influence to approve a contract (of whatever size) to buy their crap.

It can also happen in reverse (such as what happened with the Shrade tool mentioned by Def) an agency can decide they need a "thing", but no one in the department knows what that thing is, and asking around is hard, so they write up a description and offer a contract - then it is up to a supplier (who may not have existed before the contract was offered....) to try to convince the agency that the item they have meets their description.

(specifically, the Australian Army wanted a multitool, that was black, and had some other features - Rather than looking at successful known commercial items (MP600, or LM Wave spring to mind) they put the offer up, a company came to them and said "Yep, we can do that" and the contract was signed....

I'm sure all countries have their own systems - but this method is more or less the same across all Government organisations in Australia (slightly different for state and council, because they have their own discretionary funds, but large expenditures by commonwealth agencies must comply) - which means you see some truly wild stuff being supplied/bought.

ALL THAT ASIDE - My Seiko has the knob at the 4 oclock position, which I quite like. I remember looking into why they did that, but I don't remember what I learned.

I would imagine a "miltary" watch would be easy to read, be relatively durable/designed to avoid smashing the glass, and potentially have markers for 24 hr time.

Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: William on February 07, 2019, 09:30:15 PM
Just picked up this Newmark Chrono Reissue (or whatever they call it)
Put a few customs straps on it an looks pretty good.
(http://i.imgur.com/lHuWkbBl.jpg) (https://imgur.com/lHuWkbB)
(http://i.imgur.com/pMTdGK8l.jpg) (https://imgur.com/pMTdGK8)
(http://i.imgur.com/zs9j4p9l.jpg) (https://imgur.com/zs9j4p9)
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: Max Stone on February 07, 2019, 10:11:55 PM
There are so many types of Military watches, but today it’s really commercialized and down to personal preference (both for military and civvie applications).

I have a few military-orientated watches in my collection that show a good variety. There’s the Seagull 1963 re-issue column-wheel chrono, supplier to the Chinese Air Force, the Limonox which features H2 gas tubes that glow all night good for night ops, the IWC Doppelchronograph based on a military design when IWC was a supplier to some armed forces, the Destro (left) Marina Militare with the crown on the left that’s less likely to catch on things, the Valjoux Type 21 military chrono used by the French Air Force in the 1960s, Panerai Radiomir (yes, actually radioactive, hence the faded dial) Italian diving watch from the 1940s, and Casio’s original G-Shock GW-5000, which is what I wear the most (go figure...)  :pok:
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: KBM3 on February 07, 2019, 10:15:17 PM
I spent 10 years in the Navy and five in the Army, was never issued a watch. I always used a Timex Ironman with a stopwatch function. It helped me pace myself during runs. Also, the watches were incredibly durable, they were knocked around, bumped, scraped, and hit so many times. The downside is battery life was about 3-4 years. At first, I would swap the battery but soon realized that it was easier to just buy a new watch, they were also inexpensive and could be found in any Walmart or base exchange. I believe I still have four of the lying around somewhere.
Back in 2012, I found a Citizen military style watch with the eco-drive feature. Basically a rechargeable battery that only needs light to charge. Seven years later and this watch is still going strong. I have replaced the band but not the batteries.

From what I remember, the only guidance we were given about watches in the military was that we could wear whatever we wanted as long as it was not flashy, i. e. no crazy colors. I got out of the service before smart watches were a thing so I am unsure if there are any regulations regarding them.

Ken
Title: Re: "Military Watch"?
Post by: KBM3 on February 07, 2019, 11:00:46 PM
Here is the Citizen.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190207/cdca99da9006ba6a1b8d8afcabd0da1d.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190207/8e5341e0c78fc7debecaf9c595662d6a.jpg)

Ken


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