KMII[Montblanc Moderator]
29438
Has the 'interesting' military wristwatch been consigned to the dustbin of history?
Jan 14, 2017,21:08 PM
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 being cherished by proud owners and avidly discussed by the community. And I am pretty sure this will continue to be the case for many years to come.
What I am more interested in is if this august subject matter will have any new members added - i.e. have we seen the last of drool-worthy military watches?
From: Nilomis
No one will seriously question the fitness for purpose of a modern semi-indestructible G-Shock or equivalent for the use in a combat environment. And if it breaks, it's disposable enough. At the same time, the emotional appeal is likely to lie with its wearer a lot more than with the wider watch community.
Put differently, I cannot see future generations hankering after these in the same way a Breitling 817, a Heuer Bund, a Zenith 146 Cairelli, a Majetek - to name just a few - are now.
I guess the last example may well be the JLC Master Compressor Diving Alarm Navy Seals (do by all means correct me if I'm wrong) as pictured on the great shot by Nilomis above. And I do not mean re-editions of past greats, which irrespective of how well executed, will always lack the authenticity of being designed and worn primarily by military personnel - at least with the potential of being used in anger.
So what's your opinion? Am I being unnecessarily alarmist and missing many great examples in development or recently launched? Is it just unstoppable progress, creative destruction if you wish?
Comments:
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+1 from me.
By: Bounce781 : January 14th, 2017-22:24
Era of a mechanical tool watch for military is over. Cheaper, more accurate and more"reliable" quartz is here.
This era is over. Clearly. And you explained why.
By: amanico : January 14th, 2017-23:34
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...
I agree...
By: nilomis : January 14th, 2017-23:58
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
+1! [nt]
By: KMII : January 15th, 2017-10:32
Excellent attitude!
By: KMII : January 15th, 2017-10:32
And it would be somehow less fitting if the name was on the dial - fully agree with you there
My pleasure my friend
By: Alkiro1 : January 15th, 2017-11:48
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
:-)
By: Alkiro1 : January 16th, 2017-01:10
Best wishes Alkiro
Tools versus toys.
By: mkvc : January 15th, 2017-12:57
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...
Don't forget the Marathon GSAR
By: rdenney : January 16th, 2017-01:00
Still apparently available through US General Services Administration. --Rick ...
Interesting!
By: KMII : January 16th, 2017-01:06
I thought those would long have left active service but maybe there are still some around... Thanks!
CWC divers.
By: BDLJ : January 17th, 2017-02:14
...but they are the "dreaded" quartz. There are some cool (to me, anyway) RAN issued Aqualands around, too.
Thanks, BDLJ!
By: KMII : January 17th, 2017-03:47
Will check them out
I think it has
By: cazalea : January 16th, 2017-10:42
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...