Horological Meandering

This is not supposed to be a piece of Leninist dogma (title notwithstanding) - just an observation I'd like to discuss with fellow Purist comrades If you go through our brand forums (admittedly not RM or RD) there are very, very many military watches bein...  

I\'ll have to think about this. My first though is yes, it\'s over!

Era of a mechanical tool watch for military is over. Cheaper, more accurate and more"reliable" quartz is here.

Although many did hold onto horses way past their sell-by date

Also there is that whole "horses against tanks" obsolete military equipment thing.

But there will still be collectors of military watches in the future at least the next 100-150 years. Just like how people still collect pocket watches today.

Now, there is one interesting example you mentioned, the JLC Navy SEALs Alarm. There was a partnership, to make it short, between JLC and the Navy SEALs. JLC used the NAVY SEALs as a laboratory to test their watches in rough conditions, and The Navy SEALs... 

We must target PEACE. I have this watch but I could care less if it was approved /tested by this or that organization. It was approved and tested by me and I'm glad that it don't carry any military info on the dial. Cheers Nilo

And it would be somehow less fitting if the name was on the dial - fully agree with you there

They make special series for the French "unités d\'élite" such as the GIGN and RAID or the Commando Hubert. Or the Portuguese DAE. Here are two pics of them found on their respective websites Of course these brands are probably not really well known but t...  

That they still use mechanical movement watches - thanks for pointing these out!

Ralf Tech uses some Valjoux 7750 and ETA 2824-2 / 2036. Regarding MAT (Mer-Air-Terre), they use the ETA 2824 too. Best wishes Alkiro

Best wishes Alkiro

Best wishes Alkiro

I had no idea about those brands, at all.

Best wishes Alkiro

Will look up prices, etc later today

Best wishes Alkiro

And where there\'s a watch company, there\'s a Purist knowing about them

Best wishes Alkiro

point to take my Fifty Fathoms diving, I rarely see any-one else wearing a mechanical wrist watch, just dive computers. When I do, it's almost always because they are also dive watch enthusiasts.. ...  

Probably because there is still a very active development of new models in the area. But very good point!

The military watches prized today were true tools. Mechanical watches produced after quartz watches came into common use by definition are not tools. I don't think people will look at them the same way. Also, there won't be any (or at least any meaningful... 

Thanks for sharing your opinion I like the toys analogy.

Still apparently available through US General Services Administration. --Rick ...  

I thought those would long have left active service but maybe there are still some around... Thanks!

...but they are the "dreaded" quartz. There are some cool (to me, anyway) RAN issued Aqualands around, too.

Will check them out

The Navy SEAL JLC (according to my well-placed source) is only owned by those SEALs who were given them at the end of testing. Most of these guys have families and they don't have the cash to buy a JLC, nor do they want to take anything like that into a c...  

As you say, many of today\'s soldiers are not your typical luxury watch customers - unlike the upper class officers of old.