Decent watch?

discus

Lads, I'm off to the army in the new year and the parents are looking to get me a decent watch that'll take some punishment in the field. Any suggestions?

Fratton Fred

A vostok takes a fair bit of abuse, not sure how reliable they are though.

paddycam

http://www.nitewatchshop.co.uk/sc/588/Nite-MX10-Watches.htm

Nite watches are fairly good.Bit pricy but top notch bit of kit.
Have the sas one myself:P

concussion

You can't go wrong with a black G-Shock. Prices start at around €50 and go up to +€300. Nothing wrong with a basic one though.

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/2549129/Trail/searchtext%3EG-SHOCK.htm

If you want analogue, the current BA issue watch is the CWC G10
http://www.cwcwatch.com/

SIRREX

concussion wrote: »

You can't go wrong with a black G-Shock. Prices start at around €50 and go up to +€300. Nothing wrong with a basic one though.

Have to agree with Concussion here, G-shock all the way. Does the job well, can hack the abuse, and should the worst happen, not too expensive to replace. Though, with all the lads I've served with using G-shocks, I've only seen one destroyed beyond repair, usually it's batteries and bands, nothing more.

Another advantage is you will not stand out from the crowd. Nobody wants to catch the eye of the training staff by having a €300-400 Sunto on their wrist!

Poccington

I use a Suunto Core, treated myself too one after I finished Recruit Training.

Hasn't let me down yet and I've put it through a fair bit.

Monty Burnz

A Damasko. It'll last the rest of your natural life. Pricey though - you should be able to get a DA-36 for under a grand new.

Edit-I agree with the above thet the G-Shock is a great practical watch for tough use. My suggestion is based on it being something a bit special, a momento that will survive army use, is totally practical, and something you could hand on to your kids.

Some pics:
http://www.watchlounge.com/wbb3/wl/index.php?page=Thread&postID=1154750&7d5b5f53#post1154750

BigDuffman

Cant go wrong with a G-Shock Mudman http://www.redfingerprint.com/watches_detail.php/Casio_G-Shock/G-Shock_Mudman/G-9000-3VDR

I've had this thing years and has never let me down! The mudman is handy as does not get clogged with mud when your face down in the riverbed in kilbride!

arybvtcw0eolkf

concussion wrote: »

You can't go wrong with a black G-Shock.

+1.

I bought a G-Shock when I was out in Lebanon with the 63rd-64th (1988-1989) and not only is it still working, its still on its original battery!.

You really can't go wrong with a G-Shock.

Manic Moran

I'm going to be contrary, as usual, and suggest that you re-evaluate your criteria for a field watch.

Criterion #1 should not be "which is the toughest watch". It should be "Which watch will best tell me the time in the field?"

I realise that this is an unusual category for picking a watch, but really, what else is it for?

I will not consider a watch which does not have an analogue dial, with tritium (or similar glow-dimly-in-the-dark) indicators on the hands. No digital display has the same ability to allow you to see the time in low light conditions: You will almost always need to either use a flashlight, or hit the 'illuminate' button. You will be very surprised how far away you can see the 'indiglo' glow with the naked eye, let alone with an image intensifier. Even without the concerns of enemy observation, it's a lot easier just to twist your wrist for a quick glance instead of having to take your other hand off the rifle to push the 'illuminate' button. And, in most circumstance, a 'quick glance' to the level of 'to within a couple of minutes' is more than adequate than trying to actually read the digital numbers to determine if you're looking at an '5' or an '8'

However, digital displays certainly have their uses, particularly for timer functions. As a result, I will also not consider a watch which does not have a digital display. Fortunately, there are a number of watches which come with both, and that number increases regularly.

My previous watches have been Casios which have a main analogue face, with a small little digital display mounted underneath it. Currently, I'm using a Timex Ironman Triathalon, pretty much as follows:



Nice thing about it is that the digital numbers are nice and big as they use the full watch face, but they can also be completely switched off by a single button press, leaving the watch with just the hands and a plain black background. Which looks a little more elegant for daily wear, and also doesn't distract you when you have no need for the digital information. Simplicity! Display only what you need to know, the less clutter the better. No disrespect to Duffman, but that Mudman is pretty much one of the last things I want as a field watch.

Then again, it could be worse. Binary, anyone?


When you've finally decided on a group of watches which will meet your own 'tell me the time' requirements, then move on to your other criteria, such as cost or durability to further narrow it down.

In my experience, the biggest 'killer' of watches isn't damage to the primary unit itself, it's the straps. That's my one big gripe with my current Ironman is that the strap is not replaceable. (On the other hand, it also means that there's no need to worry about the strap/unit interface, which is what killed my previous watch). Once you've sorted out the strap issue, then look at the durability of the unit itself.

Certainly, for example, there are G-Shocks which have dual displays and are otherwise very nice. Then it comes down to cost/benefit. I have never paid the money for a G-Shock, and I don't believe I've ever needed to. My first, a $40 Casio dual-screen, pretty much one of the cheapest out there, survived five months of tank school a full year combat deployment in Iraq, on tanks, and -then- 9 months in Afghanistan, though admittedly mainly doing desk work, without hassle. Gear gets quite a beating on a tank, trust me, between the vibrations and the impacts. Yes, I went through three straps over the 7 years, so total cost, $60, but the watch never stopped telling me the time. Seriously, just how badly are you planning on abusing your watch, and more importantly, the arm it's attached to?

Then you also have to worry about the fact that there are some incidents that will kill any watch, not matter how shock-proof it is, and a replacement will need to be purchased. I've not personally encountered one yet, but I can certainly envision them.

Do not be swayed by cool features which are of little to no use to you. My tank has a maximum operating depth of about 1.5 meters. My watch's ability to work at 100m is, well, pretty irrelevant. Similarly an altimeter function is pretty useless for military purposes. Most (All?) will give you Pressure Altitude, which can vary from true altitude rather dramatically. And what are you going to do with the information anyway? If calling for fire, you want to be accurate, not 'to within a couple of hundred feet.' Your military issue map will give you a better indicator. And so on. My watch is for time-related functions only!

Finally, consider the possibility of 'buying disposable'. Paying $40 for a watch which tells you the time well, whilst knowing that you will likely have to replace it in 5 years, may still prove to be cheaper in the long run than a $200 watch which will last you ten years.

Hope I've given you some food for thought.

NTM

Monty Burnz

There is a watch forum somewhere on Boards, so perhaps you might ask the question there? As I said, the Timex and the G-Shocks are fantastically durable, practical watches. My suggestion of the Damasko was for something that's a bit special, could become a family heirloom, but super-tough at the same time.

You might get other ideas if you ask the idea of the watch experts

Manic Moran

Found it after a lengthy search. It's under 'Science' for some bizarre reason.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1175

I may question their ability to correctly evaluate tactical suitability, however.

NTM

iceage

Poccington wrote: »

I use a Suunto Core, treated myself too one after I finished Recruit Training.

Hasn't let me down yet and I've put it through a fair bit.

And I thought I was the only Suunto head around here! Hows the battery life?

X Lander myself... It even tells the time!
Best watch I ever owned was Citizen I bought from Argos!!! Its still going strong.

Monty Burnz

Manic Moran wrote: »

Found it after a lengthy search. It's under 'Science' for some bizarre reason.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1175

I may question their ability to correctly evaluate tactical suitability, however.

NTM

You'd be surprised. You don't have to be a formula one driver to recommend a decent fast car if you're a petrolhead - some watch collectors are extremely knowledgeable about militaria. On the other hand, if sheer 100% practicality is what the OP is after, rather than something special/interesting/nice, then he can't do better than a G-Shock/Ironman type watch anyway and he's got his answer here.

Mitch Buchannon

Another watch brand I would suggest looking at is http://www.traserh3watches.com/en/home/index.php

I have the "Code Blue" for the past 6/7 years and it hasnt let me down yet. I like the fact you dont have to push a button to see the time as night as the hands glow all the time.

dahamster

discus wrote: »

Lads, I'm off to the army in the new year and the parents are looking to get me a decent watch that'll take some punishment in the field. Any suggestions?

In recruit training your time is not your own:D. Why not buy a cheap 5 euro one from argos for the period, then you won't care if it gets broken/stolen etc.

You can buy yourself a nice one as a reward for 2-3 star training ( or senior cadet class) when you might get better use from it.

Donny5

Mitch Buchannon wrote: »

Another watch brand I would suggest looking at is http://www.traserh3watches.com/en/home/index.php

I have the "Code Blue" for the past 6/7 years and it hasnt let me down yet. I like the fact you dont have to push a button to see the time as night as the hands glow all the time.

I have to say the opposite about Traser. I've had this one for a couple of years now, and it's failed twice. The first time it stopped was within a week of receiving it. The second time was earlier this year. The first time was covered by warranty, but the second time involved an expensive trip to the dealer in the UK.

The hands are very bright, though.

dahamster wrote: »

In recruit training your time is not your own:D. Why not buy a cheap 5 euro one from argos for the period, then you won't care if it gets broken/stolen etc.

You can buy yourself a nice one as a reward for 2-3 star training ( or senior cadet class) when you might get better use from it.

Those eighties style Casio watches that sell for under €10 are pretty much bombproof, alright.

murph226

I have a traser also, funnily enough mine stopped within a week of getting it, I dropped it on a tiled floor and it stopped.

It was repaired under warranty of course.

It loses a few minutes every month aswell, not the end of the world, but after forking out the extra few quid for the one with the lithium battery its a bit dissapointing.

Another slightly annoying thing is that it never sits right on my wrist.

Moral of the story, should of bought a G-Shock!

Tabnabs

I had the Ironman and was really disappointed with it, I thought the quality quite poor. But I agree with Manic Moran on his criteria. However, being on the bridge of a ship in complete darkness with the need to keep an eye on time, I've yet to see a tritium feature that will last for 6 hours +. To me the G Shock looks like a brick out house but also looks so complicated and fussy. Accuracy of time keeping is incredibly important (and a simple request or so you would think).

I have had great success and use out of my Animal watch and am impressed with both the time keeping qualities as well as the tritium ability.

Donny5

Dyflin wrote: »

I've yet to see a tritium feature that will last for 6 hours +.

Tritium is radioluminescent, so it'll glow for 6+ years. You must have had some kind of glow in the dark painted hands, which is what you generally find on cheaper watches.

lapsed

UZI watches are supposed to be tough, are tritrium , and simply tell the time without all the bells and whistles. They're made by Smith and Wesson so S&M are another watch to look at.

BuckJamesRogers

was looking at the Luminox Navy Seals type watch, not necessarily for an army use but also just for day to day stuff as well. Looks good but it does have that whole "navy seals" title...not looking to be a fanboy...but then again, if the watch is good...

Irish_Army01

Dyflin wrote: »

I had the Ironman and was really disappointed with it, I thought the quality quite poor. But I agree with Manic Moran on his criteria. However, being on the bridge of a ship in complete darkness with the need to keep an eye on time, I've yet to see a tritium feature that will last for 6 hours +. To me the G Shock looks like a brick out house but also looks so complicated and fussy. Accuracy of time keeping is incredibly important (and a simple request or so you would think).

I have had great success and use out of my Animal watch and am impressed with both the time keeping qualities as well as the tritium ability.

The G-shock is a "Military Watch" designed for all types of outdoor activity ...I had various types of analogue watches, and they have let me down out in the field..

I now have a G-shock Riseman.. Which is a solar powered, atomic clock alti and barometer.. FYI who doesn't know what the atomic clock means, is it is updated automatically every night from various atomic clock locations around the world.. Once its set it automatically changes time when you change time zones and winter/summer time.. It can also be set to have the illumination come on automatically when you move your wrist 90 degrees so you dont have to keep pressing the button at night to see the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPoROLRAuy8

concussion

What happens when you have to snyc watches and the i/c doesn't have an atomic watch?

BuckJamesRogers

concussion wrote: »

What happens when you have to snyc watches and the i/c doesn't have an atomic watch?

"The awkwardness when the i/c doesn't have an atomic watch"

Irish_Army01

concussion wrote: »

What happens when you have to snyc watches and the i/c doesn't have an atomic watch?

They sync to yours

concussion

Which is fine, unless they've synched off their i/c - someone give the Bn. CO an atomic watch

arybvtcw0eolkf

Irish_Army01 wrote: »

I now have a G-shock Riseman.. Which is a solar powered, atomic clock alti and barometer..

Good review, and nice looking watch.. How much is that retailing for here?.

holdfast

The only atomic clock people should worry about is the CS. He will tell you if you are on time:eek::eek:

Irish_Army01

Holden Howling Housewife wrote: »

Good review, and nice looking watch.. How much is that retailing for here?.

€250..

Local-womanizer

concussion wrote: »

What happens when you have to snyc watches and the i/c doesn't have an atomic watch?

Sync phones obviously,its about time the Army got with the times tbh!

lapsed

Holden Howling Housewife wrote: »

Good review, and nice looking watch.. How much is that retailing for here?.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dwatches&field-keywords=casio+riseman+9200&x=18&y=19

Tabnabs

Irish_Army01 wrote: »

The G-shock is a "Military Watch" designed for all types of outdoor activity ...I had various types of analogue watches, and they have let me down out in the field..

I now have a G-shock Riseman.. Which is a solar powered, atomic clock alti and barometer.. FYI who doesn't know what the atomic clock means, is it is updated automatically every night from various atomic clock locations around the world.. Once its set it automatically changes time when you change time zones and winter/summer time.. It can also be set to have the illumination come on automatically when you move your wrist 90 degrees so you dont have to keep pressing the button at night to see the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPoROLRAuy8

But that just reinforces the point that it's overly complicated. Plus atomic updating isn't much use mid Atlantic . Altimeter at sea level, no use. Barometer is not as accurate as proper equipment either.

But most disappointingly is the size of the time on the display. I'd keep looking for that price IMO.

Manic Moran

Dyflin wrote: »

But that just reinforces the point that it's overly complicated. Plus atomic updating isn't much use mid Atlantic . Altimeter at sea level, no use. Barometer is not as accurate as proper equipment either.

But most disappointingly is the size of the time on the display. I'd keep looking for that price IMO.

Agreed. That watch is an example of most everything I don't want in a military watch. Plenty of 'cool' factor, bugger-all 'practicality' factor. I mean, really, if you're on the battlefield, do you really need to have the day of the week permanently displayed on your watch? Auto-time reset to GPS standard would be handy, though, but hardly required.

I do like the screws which hold the straps on, though.

NTM

discus

You've all given me plenty to think about, so thanks for the input. I might hold off on buying it until after basic; it just wouldn't do to spend that much moola' on it only to lose it in Catterick. I'll drop hints that it would just be "such a fantastic present" to recieve at my passing out parade!

flutered

the guys over on tz-uk think that a nixon is the way to go, one guy chucked his into the freezer for a few days, it still worked, i think it is on a thread called watch talk.

Manic Moran

Necrothread.

In my experience, the biggest 'killer' of watches isn't damage to the primary unit itself, it's the straps. That's my one big gripe with my current Ironman is that the strap is not replaceable. (On the other hand, it also means that there's no need to worry about the strap/unit interface, which is what killed my previous watch).

Well, sure enough, the strap broke on the Ironman long before the watch itself did. Cue a return to Walmart today, and after a survey of the options on display, I have bought... the same type of cheap Casio as always. I may send the Ironman back to Timex, but I need a working wristwatch this weekend.

NTM

concussion

After quite a bit of deliberation, I picked up a G-Shock G-300-ML a few months ago. It satisfies all my requirements: robust, not too pricey, world time, stopwatch,analogue and digital display, 'NATO' strap, backlit digital display and luminous hands.

Most of the ana-digi combinations I saw featured an LED shining across the face; this is a big failing in G-shocks as it generally renders the digital display. It took a while to find a backlit model which wasn't fully digital, and while it would be nicer to have tritium on the hands the glow is good for a few hours if exposed to light for a bit.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Casio-G-Shock-G-Force-Watch-G300ML-1ADR/dp/B0043D7KBW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308775289&sr=8-1

arybvtcw0eolkf

concussion wrote: »

After quite a bit of deliberation, I picked up a G-Shock G-300-ML a few months ago. It satisfies all my requirements: robust, not too pricey, world time, stopwatch,analogue and digital display, 'NATO' strap, backlit digital display and luminous hands.

Most of the ana-digi combinations I saw featured an LED shining across the face; this is a big failing in G-shocks as it generally renders the digital display. It took a while to find a backlit model which wasn't fully digital, and while it would be nicer to have tritium on the hands the glow is good for a few hours if exposed to light for a bit.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Casio-G-Shock-G-Force-Watch-G300ML-1ADR/dp/B0043D7KBW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308775289&sr=8-1

Hey, Just ordered this watch so waiting with bated breath - looks the business :cool:

concussion

Just have to point out, it comes with the standard resin strap. I got adaptors on eBay in order to use it with a fabric strap. This is the eBay seller http://myworld.ebay.ie/westcoasttime and they can also be purchased here http://www.broadarrow.net/maratac.htm

This is part of an email I sent back to the seller after I received the adaptors and a 22 mm NATO strap.

The adaptors are extremely difficult to fit, I had to bring them to a jeweller and even he had trouble. I think this is due to G-shock's design though, as I found it almost impossible to attach the original straps when I originally removed them to check the springbars.

The NATO strap does fit, however the length of webbing is too short and pulls the ends of adaptors so close together that the watch rises up and becomes very uncomfortable. I solved this easily by simply cutting off the extra strap, converting the NATO to a Zulu band.

Bottom line: the adaptors fit the G300-ML and will work best in conjunction with the Zulu band.

Hope you're as happy with it as I am!

iceage

Check out a crowd in the UK called timefactors. Do a decent range of 20mm straps as well.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Did you find a problem with the rasin strap?.

I only ask because my other G-Shock get cause a little sweating, but its an old girl who is going into retirement - would you believe I bought it in Lebanon while with the 63rd Bn (1988) and its still on its original strap and batteries!.

concussion

Never used it! I've had them on watches before and just don't like them so I fitted the fabric strap immediately. That's just a personal thing, I can't see anything wrong with the resin strap. 23 years on the last one - fair dues!

arybvtcw0eolkf

Holden Howling Housewife wrote: »

Hey, Just ordered this watch so waiting with bated breath - looks the business :cool:

Just quoting myself

Hey, the watch arrived in this mornings post.. Compared to the clock I wear its tiny, and really smart & comfortable - but then I've wrists like a ships rope!.

And just when I come down with conjunctivitis I've to try read the worlds smallest user manual so if you've any pointers for setting alarms & zones I'd be very grateful.

Thanks again, really nice watch.

concussion

*phew*...glad you like it.

The manual can be found here http://www2.casio.co.jp/manual_pdf/wat/en/pdf_search.php?MODULE=3750

Essentially, bottom left scrolls through fields, top right is light.
Hold down top left to reset info - bottom left will move from item to item and the buttons on the right increase and decrease the value.

BigDuffman

Holden Howling Housewife wrote: »

would you believe I bought it in Lebanon while with the 63rd Bn (1988) and its still on its original strap and batteries!.

Says it all ^

You cannot beat a G-Shock....literally you can try! But it will still keep going. The G-Shock Mudman designed for outdoorsy mil. types but without too many bells and whistles and for under €80 cant go wrong. Gets my vote every time. SCUBA/Bog/Sky diving it has never let me down.

Solid watches. Built to last.

arybvtcw0eolkf

BigDuffman wrote: »

Says it all ^

You cannot beat a G-Shock....literally you can try! But it will still keep going. The G-Shock Mudman designed for outdoorsy mil. types but without too many bells and whistles and for under €80 cant go wrong. Gets my vote every time. SCUBA/Bog/Sky diving it has never let me down.

Solid watches. Built to last.

The 'Mudman' looks great in matt-black;



My first G-Shock - Think I bought it from Monsour's old shop in Tibnin is the old DW-5700;



Brilliant watch.

Mu new purchase in all matt-black and looks great;



From a Singapore dealer for half the Amazon price, I'm stoked!.

krissovo

Holden Howling Housewife wrote: »

My first G-Shock - Think I bought it from Monsour's old shop in Tibnin is the old DW-5700;



Brilliant watch.

I had the same watch that I bought just after basic training that lasted with same strap and battery for 15 years of service. Even survived a landmine blast in Bosnia and over enthusiastic American medics who wanted to cut it off afterwards.

My son has it now and its still going well. The strap got a bit manky with dead sweaty skin and the light was a bit temperamental after 12 years but that was the only negatives.

neilled

Holden Howling Housewife wrote: »

Did you find a problem with the rasin strap?.

I only ask because my other G-Shock get cause a little sweating, but its an old girl who is going into retirement - would you believe I bought it in Lebanon while with the 63rd Bn (1988) and its still on its original strap and batteries!.

I found a problem with resin straps on gshocks back in the mid 2000's - after protracted use and expose to heat and sweat the resin strap would crack.

arybvtcw0eolkf

neilled wrote: »

I found a problem with resin straps on gshocks back in the mid 2000's - after protracted use and expose to heat and sweat the resin strap would crack.

The only thing which has broken on my original G-Shock is the loop on the strap, so I'm going to replace the whole strap with a NATO strap, it'll give it a slightly different look and hopefully entend its life out to another 20+ years.

Have to say, this new G300ML is great & unlike a lot of G-Shock's its not like a helicopter landing pad on my wrist.

Irish_Army01

Manic Moran wrote: »

Agreed. That watch is an example of most everything I don't want in a military watch. Plenty of 'cool' factor, bugger-all 'practicality' factor. I mean, really, if you're on the battlefield, do you really need to have the day of the week permanently displayed on your watch? Auto-time reset to GPS standard would be handy, though, but hardly required.

I do like the screws which hold the straps on, though.

NTM

The watch works for me. As mentioned, I've had numerous analogue watches ranging from €150 to €300 and they let me down. The last one, a kinetic citizen lasted only a year.. it broke down while I was on a standard cse few years ago losing up to 5 minutes every day... You can image the trouble I had trying to explain to my Pln Cmdr why I was late for orders..

After that I decided to get a G-shock.. something I need not worry about losing time or breaking down when needed most.

FYI, the atomic setting can be disabled and used as a normal watch and can be synced to other watches if necessary ..

As for the bells & whistles, the barometer it works quite well. I have gone on-line and checked the barometric pressure and compared to the reading on the watch and they are the same. as for the Alti, great for map reading when climbing you can check you height in relation to contours on a map.

So the watch works for me and I don't worry any more about batteries and getting it pressurised when I change a battery.