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 smile

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?

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

Very interesting proposition....

 
 By: Harry2 : January 14th, 2017-21:50
I\'ll have to think about this. My first though is yes, it\'s over!

+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.

I suppose there is less room for sentimentality in the military...

 
 By: KMII : January 15th, 2017-10:28
Although many did hold onto horses way past their sell-by date

I thought that was more of an "emergency food ration" thing with the horses. :-)

 
 By: Bounce781 : January 15th, 2017-11:01
Also there is that whole "horses against tanks" obsolete military equipment thing.

Guess nowadays you could call it the right tool for the job.

 
 By: Mario : January 14th, 2017-22:34
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.

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

Bravo, Nilo. Bravo. [nt]

 
 By: Luis6 : January 15th, 2017-04:28

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

You can find today several examples of military or, at least, commando/special forces watches from brand such as Ralf Tech or MAT

 
 By: Alkiro1 : January 15th, 2017-01:23
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...  

I am actually quite surprised...

 
 By: KMII : January 15th, 2017-10:34
That they still use mechanical movement watches - thanks for pointing these out!

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

Absolutely... and it's a true pleasure ;-)

 
 By: Alkiro1 : January 16th, 2017-01:04
Best wishes Alkiro

:-)

 
 By: Alkiro1 : January 16th, 2017-01:10
Best wishes Alkiro

Thanks for pointing these out, Alkiro.

 
 By: Bounce781 : January 15th, 2017-11:03
I had no idea about those brands, at all.

Yes, I really like the MAT.

 
 By: Bounce781 : January 15th, 2017-12:02
Will look up prices, etc later today

Great if I helped you to discover a new brand :-)

 
 By: Alkiro1 : January 15th, 2017-12:12
Best wishes Alkiro

You are of course correct :)

 
 By: KMII : January 15th, 2017-21:01
And where there\'s a watch company, there\'s a Purist knowing about them

That's our strength ;-)

 
 By: Alkiro1 : January 16th, 2017-01:05
Best wishes Alkiro

Interesting, I think the same discussion can be had for Dive Watches, although I make a

 
 By: templetowers : January 15th, 2017-04:43
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.. ...  

Now this is an area I have not thought about...

 
 By: KMII : January 15th, 2017-10:35
Probably because there is still a very active development of new models in the area. But very good point!

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... 

I guess we're all in agreement there...

 
 By: KMII : January 15th, 2017-19:34
Thanks for sharing your opinion I like the toys analogy.

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...  

I guess that the military has changed, too

 
 By: KMII : January 16th, 2017-10:55
As you say, many of today\'s soldiers are not your typical luxury watch customers - unlike the upper class officers of old.