Survival watch - priorities

[kgd]

Yes it is, Nemo. With it you can find direction, signal, document events on game trails for food gathering, know (accurately) how much time you have before sundown/sunrise, schedule water/food intake, the list goes on, my friend... As Rock pointed out, it isn't essential but its sure welcomed.

I understand some of those things Rick, but it would be way down on my list. I'd much rather find directionality with a mechanical compass. There are good arguments to be made about knowing how many sunlight hours you have left especially in overcast situations. My guess is that given a week or so in a location, your built in clock in the head will start to kick in. It doesn't take long during camping for you to begin adjusting your sleep cycles to sleep not long after sunset and rise with the sun.

I think the best use for a watch(es) under SHTF scenarios is for communication and coordination, e.g. meeting groups/partners at landmarks at designated times. Still, being without a watch probably wouldn't leave me in a concerned state under a survival situation. That is just me though and admittedly after spending a year in urban life not-wearing a watch and managing to survive. I think when you wear a watch and constant calibrate your internal clock by looking at it, you sort of forget that you do in fact have a decent little ticker in your body. Now, personal time doesn't give you accuracy within minutes but it is usually within an hour especially when you are accustomed to making such estimates.

I don't think its is a gear whore to want a watch, but again, I don't think it is unreasonable for somebody to point out that is might be a luxury rather than an essential.

 

[philwar]

I think people are projecting their own fancy too much on the initial question, which was: if TSHTF, what type of watch would you prefer?

If I asked the same question about your pants, how many of you would say "meh, it's not on my list, or very low"? Would you WANT to be without a watch? Would you throw it in a river if you found out TSHTF so you could then rough it? Would you throw away your coat so you could slay a wild boar and wear its skin?

How hard is this question?

One day all electricity ends, never to come back again. TS has HTF. Which watch (what type) would you most prefer to be wearing when that happens? You may elaborate on your choice if you so desire.

 

[Rick Marchand]

I understand some of those things Rick, but it would be way down on my list. ... snip.

It wouldn't be on my list either, because it would be on my wrist. You mentioned not wearing a watch for a year, Ken. How many times a day did you look at a clock or instictively depend on someone/something else to help keep you on schedule? I know those same natural signs and flow are there in the wilderness, but how many folks know that squirrels bed down when the sun is high or that ravens fly back to roost one hour before sunset or that they head out one hour before daybreak? The more I think about it, the more I believe that it is because you haven't been in a situation when knowing the time within 15mins will get you that snowshoe hare or tell you which particular grove of poplars the porcupine is... and what about getting turned around without your compass, while collecting firewood. I really don't think there is a faster way to tell direction than knowing the correct time while the Sun is still visable. Until your internal clock is intune with nature, you are missing a vital "sense" IMHO. Much of what I do with Bow revolves around knowing the routines of animals and being able to predict when and where they are at any given time. I know this is possible to do without a watch, EVENTUALLY.... but not without a steep learning curve.

I don't think its is a gear whore to want a watch, but again, I don't think it is unreasonable for somebody to point out that is might be a luxury rather than an essential.

First off, he didn't do that, Ken...

Survival tactical watch? Been watching I am Legend?

A watch isn't part of survival.

Unreasonable? Of course not... think whatever you want, do whatever you want. What's unreasonable is making snide remarks instead of intelligently stating your opinion... or reasons for having that stance. Post and run.

Perhaps you missed that part of my post...

... As Rock pointed out, it isn't essential but its sure welcomed.


Rick

 

[Rick Marchand]

I think people are projecting their own fancy too much on the initial question, which was: if TSHTF, what type of watch would you prefer?

Sorry Phil...

I would want any self-winding non-electrical watch... preferably of good quality of course.

Rick

 

[philwar]

Sorry Phil...

I would want any self-winding non-electrical watch... preferably of good quality of course.

Rick

LOL, no worries, it's all in good fun. Just sometimes the responses go waaay off track.

As far as non-electrical: why? I own this watch (besides a few Swiss-made mechanical selfwinders) and think it might be very good except for an EMP burst.

Its face is basically one big solar cell, recharging the watch. Hardly any moving parts, watch can go for 6 months without light, it will recharge off artificial light as well... And it's accurate as quartz watches normally are.

 

[Mannlicher]

For use in bad times of unknown duration, I am guessing that maybe one of the solar powered quartz watches would prove the best choice.

 

[Rick Marchand]

That's just cool Phil.

Some say that the EMP is a real threat and can easily happen... both man made and naturally. (cosmic, dude)

Just saying...



Rick

 

[kgd]

I think people are projecting their own fancy too much on the initial question, which was: if TSHTF, what type of watch would you prefer?

If I asked the same question about your pants, how many of you would say "meh, it's not on my list, or very low"? Would you WANT to be without a watch? Would you throw it in a river if you found out TSHTF so you could then rough it? Would you throw away your coat so you could slay a wild boar and wear its skin?

How hard is this question?

Easy brother. You make a thread in a public place and the thread goes in the direction it does. Sorry man, first thing I learned after a few thousand posts is that you never own a thread because you started it!

 

[Mannlicher]

For use in bad times of unknown duration, I am guessing that maybe one of the solar powered quartz watches would prove the best choice.

While I have several quality Swiss self wind mechanical watches, they do require service and cleaning to stay reliable and accurate.

I am hedging my bets on this issue, and have some watches from column A, and some from column B.

We just have not been there yet, ya know?

 

[kgd]

It wouldn't be on my list either, because it would be on my wrist. You mentioned not wearing a watch for a year, Ken. How many times a day did you look at a clock or instictively depend on someone/something else to help keep you on schedule? I know those same natural signs and flow are there in the wilderness, but how many folks know that squirrels bed down when the sun is high or that ravens fly back to roost one hour before sunset or that they head out one hour before daybreak? The more I think about it, the more I believe that it is because you haven't been in a situation when knowing the time within 15mins will get you that snowshoe hare or tell you which particular grove of poplars the porcupine is... and what about getting turned around without your compass, while collecting firewood. I really don't think there is a faster way to tell direction than knowing the correct time while the Sun is still visable. Until your internal clock is intune with nature, you are missing a vital "sense" IMHO. Much of what I do with Bow revolves around knowing the routines of animals and being able to predict when and where they are at any given time. I know this is possible to do without a watch, EVENTUALLY.... but not without a steep learning curve.

Perhaps we'll agree to disagree on this one Rick. The watch was invented pretty late in the game. Yes, it might take some acclimation, but I will submit that going without a thing will lead to physiological compensation mechanisms. You, more than anybody I know, is an empiricist so I suggest try it for a month and see what happens!

 

[Rick Marchand]

Perhaps we'll agree to disagree on this one Rick. The watch was invented pretty late in the game. Yes, it might take some acclimation, but I will submit that going without a thing will lead to physiological compensation mechanisms. You, more than anybody I know, is an empiricist so I suggest try it for a month and see what happens!

I didn't wear a watch until 2002 (when my daughter was born) I know what you are saying, I have grown dependent on one, in a way... but am still pretty good at judging time. Can you tell the difference between 12pm and 2pm when in the woods in July?... because that could mean the difference between eating or going another night, hungry. Most can't.


First portable timepiece - 1504
First recorded use of a compass for navigation - 1435

Not that far apart, Ken... I can honestly say that I can count the times I've used a compass in the woods on two hands. (less than ten, for you sideshow freaks) That's after +20yrs of canoe trips, scouting, and just kickin around in the bush.

I use my watch daily...

Rick

 

[kgd]

first portable timepiece - 1504
first recorded use of a compass for navigation - 1435

not that far apart, ken.

Rick

the presence of primitive stone tools in the fossil record tells us that 2.5 million years ago, early hominids (a. Garhi) were using stone implements to cut the flesh off the bones of large animals that they had either hunted or whose carcasses they had scavenged.

:d :d

 

[sasha]

Hey Phil if you dont mind me asking how durable is that watch. Under rough use? I use some power tools and lost a few watches due to vibration and shocks. The ECO-DRIVE seemed to be priced right.

Sasha

 

[Codger_64]

Hey Phil if you dont mind me asking how durable is that watch. Under rough use? I use some power tools and lost a few watches due to vibration and shocks. The ECO-DRIVE seemed to be priced right.

Sasha

I wear a relatively cheap analog Timex Expedition watch with a nylon band ($50 +/-). I shower and dive with it on (max 10' depth for up to one hour) in both fresh and saltwater. The battery lasts years. I also wear it when running a jackhammer and an impact wrench, swing framing and sledge hammers, and have never had it fail.

I understand why some people would be attracted to higher dollar/multifunction watches, but I've never felt the need for one. The only extra feature this one has is the indiglo backlight, which I seldom use to conserve battery life.

Survival uses? Well, it is often handy to know the time such as on overcast days where I might be caught out after dark, or in estimation of distance walked, or in using it as a rough compass. Could I survive without it? Yes. But I wear it almost 24/7, so in all likelihood, I would be wearing it in a survival situation.

 

[glee]

I have a few dollars tied up in watches, TAG, Omega, among others, etc., but, I've often said if I had to be reduced to one watch I'd be fine with my original Luminox 3000 Series Navy Seals Dive Watch in optic yellow. It's been through several watch bands, has proven to be durable, easy to read day or dark of night, keeps great time and is light enough for me to forget I have it on. No bells and whistles, just basic functional time. Well, except for the tritium markings, which I love.

 

[arijer]

I have the exact same one. Should last for many years without needing servicing.

I also have some quality mechanical selfwinders. Less accurate but even less prone to break or die.

As for what you need a watch for: I can think of several applications for knowing time. Also, an analog watch can double as a compass. Lastly, you might trade it in a pinch for something you need even more.

Not to be sound stupid. but are we talking here about price limit also.

I say that, because in reality watches such as Rolex or Breitling meet alot of what we are talking about here. They are mechanical, tough, reliable and very accurate in their time mechanism. I have not bought one, but alot of my friends have and they fish hard, get knocked around the boat alot. They all have Rolex marinar and swear by them.

 

[Havokk]

I want it to be powered independantly.

To answer this, I'd like to repeat what the retailer said when I bought a really nice watch many years ago. I was considering an automatic action (that is, the movement of your arm winds the spring - the watch has no battery).

"The mechanical action watch needs to be serviced once a year, to replace the lubricating fluid and to check the action. This costs around $170 per service. The battery powered watch needs to be serviced once every five years, to replace the battery. This costs around $110. You decide which one is more cost-effective."

 

[Josh K]

To answer this, I'd like to repeat what the retailer said when I bought a really nice watch many years ago. I was considering an automatic action (that is, the movement of your arm winds the spring - the watch has no battery).

"The mechanical action watch needs to be serviced once a year, to replace the liubricating fluid and to service the action. This costs around $170 per service. The battery powered watch needs to be services once every five years, to replace the battery. This costs around $110. You decide which one is more cost-effective."

Mechanical watches do not need to be serviced every year. It would be nice if you serviced them once a year, but realistically it's a couple bucks more to replace anything that broke. Why not just send it in when it shows problems?

That above advice was taken verbatim from a Rolex dealer I had the pleasure of talking with.

 

[sasha]

Hi Codger_64 I do agree with you. I been wearing a Timberland watch for well over 15 years maybe even close to 17-18 years. Changed the battery once the factory band broke. Replaced it with something that looks like the Zulu band then replaced that again as it wore out. The Indelgo light stoped working years ago. That watch been thru hell and back and it shows it, but it always shows the time and is very acurate. All it does is show time and date no more. I just expect it to fail after all this time. The best part it was a free watch. Tried some nice looking watches and not one of them lasted more then 2-3 months. Including 2 G-shock. I wont pay hundreds of $ for a watch but if its realy good i might go up to $150. But then im the guy who thinks a Mora is all i need lol.

Sasha

 

[philwar]

Easy brother. You make a thread in a public place and the thread goes in the direction it does. Sorry man, first thing I learned after a few thousand posts is that you never own a thread because you started it!

Understood. Just trying to get it back on track.