Tactical Watch!!!

OK, I think I chose the wrong word (tactical). Actually I kinda chose that word as a joke, as it has become such a hot button on this forum. I e-mailed Bladerigger, and I'm eagerly awaiting a reply. I'm also thinking of maybe changing the idea to a bracelet. I'm gonna start drawing ideas soon. Does anyone get what I'm talking about here?

Howie
 
I'm with Ewok, Luminox watches rule. No buttons to push, no funky straps, just an unambiguous dial and numerical markings. Simple done and done right. -Krumbs
 
I bought one of James' Israeli Military Watches and I am very happy with it. The tritium puts out alot of light!

I would recommend them to anyone.

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847

Specialization is for insects.
 
Make that two votes for Rolex! I wear a SS Submariner 99.9% of the time. I would trust it in any conditions. First it had no battery to die at the wrong time, second (I could be wrong) but most LCD displays (like on a G-Shock) dont work well (hard to read, or no disply) in extreem cold and heat.

As for beng "tactical" James Bond used his a a "knuckle duster" efectivly in one movie (of course this killed the watch
wink.gif
).

The EZM menoned above is also an excelent choice.

Lastly the Garote watch I saw for $450.00 they did also have a identical watch with a built in switchblade, (1" blade?) It was actuated by the bezel.

If I can find it I'll post the link

Chris



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Chris DeGeorge
DeGeorge Trading Co.
chris_1001@yahoo.com , Ph 1-508-864-4657
http://www.degeorgetrading.com

 
Dudes! Go Cammenga. waterproof (scuse me - resistant to 100m)Tritium, and only set you back a C note. Cover that pup up in low light
training scenarios though. Luminox is also good, crystal is hard as Heck.
 
As far as using a watch as a weapon how about creating the band such that the watch could be taken off and it could be used as brass knuckles with spikes. The spikes could retract back into the band, folding. -/-/-/-/ replace the dashes with spacers in the band, and the slashes with spikes that fit between the knuckles... Just and idea

-Ryan
 
Hello gents.
Briefly, the Edge co had this watch where you could squirt a bad guy with pepper spray by pushing a button.

Now here's an old list from KFC about the watches people liked. BTW, I wear an old Casio Illuminator, I like it better than the Ironman.

Luminox SEAL Rolex Stainless Steel Casio Baby G-shock
Casio G-shock (HR)/DW 5600E Citizen Aqualand Tag Heuer 2000 Automatic
Timex Ironman Casio Avocet Chronosport UDT
Timex Expedition Eterna Casio Illuminator CYMA Oceana
Casio Triple Sensor Tag Heuer 1000 Tag Heuer Omega Rolex President
Revue Thommer Titanium Airspeed Tag Heuer Formula Tag Heuer Professional
Seiko Auto Scuba Diver (Rubber only) Citizen Omega Speedmaster Pro
Seiko Auto SKJ408 Kinetic IWC Flieger Chronograph Tag Heuer Specialist Divers Series
Tag Heuer Speedmaster Rolex Oysterdate Rolex Sea Dweller
Timex Expedition Rolex GMT Rolex Submariner Stainless Rolex OP
Omega Seamaster Seiko Diver 24 Jewel Seiko IWC/Porsche Titanium (discont.)
Fontain & Ventura Hamilton Auto Casio Datalink Citizen Promaster (diving)
Seiko Divers Automatic Rolex Airking Omega Professional 'Moonwatch'
 
I've been using a Seiko manual dive watch for about 3 years, ever since I was in the Middle East. I've yet to have any problems at all. It is one tough watch. I guess it's a throw back, being manual, but I never have to worry about a battery going dead at the wrong time.

Ray

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Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988


AKTI Member #A000831


 
How about a miniature sundial? No battery to wear out.Also make the centerpost extra sharp and you have an instant slasher.Of course you are screwed at night.LOL
David
AKTI#150
 
Hi all you knife people!

I was informed that someone had posted my EZM1 tactical watch website here ( http://home.earthlink.net/~bobhwd/ezm1.htm .) I must say that I am flattered by some of the e-mail I have received regarding this watch. However, one issue that keeps cropping up is the high list price of this watch which is $2,000.

Well, I'm here to try to explain by analogy how special this watch is. From reading your postings here I have seen that many of you picked "Timex," "Luminox," and "Seikos" as ultimate tactical watches. Those are nice entry level watches to be sure, but they cannot compare to an EZM1. In knife terms those watches would fall into the same category as a "Swiss Army Knife" or "Wal-Mart" custom knife copy made in Taiwan.

The EZM1 was designed from the ground up with input from the elite German GSG-9 anti-terrorist unit. They were never meant to be released to the retail market, but when news leaked to watch collectors about this timepiece, the demand became overwhelming. Even now, they are not available in large quantities, so demand is still high for this watch. The EZM1 is made of pure grade 1 titanium and has a Lemania 5100 chrono movement inside. The movement is mainly used in Milspec watches and costs almost $600 wholesale alone. The entire case of this watch is filled with argon gas and it sports a copper sulfate dehumidifier device to deal with the incursion of any moisture. Anyways, I hope this helps to explain the difference between a $200 Luminox and a $2,000 EZM1. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me. Thanks for your time.

Bob

 
Thank you for your comments.

I am not a watch collector. I am a watch user. This thread comes at a good moment as I am considering a new watch for daily wear. I'd like to to be the last watch I'll ever need. I'm not exactly an elite counter-terrorist fighter. My desire is for a watch that can withstand not necessarily one or two major blows, but rather many smaller insults over many years. I don't need rugged as much as I need durable. The two are, of course, linked, but not necesarily one-to-one.

I'm hopeful that my next watch will be with me for thirty years or so. These police guys need a watch that can withstand one or two days of intense abuse. I need one that can withstand half a life-time of low-level abuse. Rolex, for example, is famous for this. I have several friends who daily wear the Rolex their grandfather used for twenty years befor their father used it for thirty more and, it's still ticking.

So, my question is this: how do you expect the Sinn product to do over long-term use? Is this a watch that I can wear for average active civilian use for thirty or fourty years and then have my heirs fight over?


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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing! http://www.4cs.net/~gollnick


[This message has been edited by Gollnick (edited 22 September 1999).]
 
Gollnick

Wow, that is a BIG question…I invite you to come over to www.timezone.com In the meantime, I am reminded of Patek Philippe’s ad slogan “You never actually own a Patek, you merely take care of it for the next generation” but really, any mechanical watch will outlast their electronic counterparts IF properly cared for. That means you have to service the watch every few years (at least re-lubricate) and check that the waterproof seals are okay. Keep in mind it can cost $200-$300 just for the servicing! Now, the Sinn is a special case. First, the Argon gas in the case will keep the movement lubricated for a longer time (unlike air molecules, Argon cannot escape through the titanium skin) so the time between servicing will be lengthened. Similarly, the copper sulphate will remove moisture, also increasing the longevity. However, good luck getting it serviced in seven years (will they still be using Argon gas then?) I should point out that some do not believe in regular servicing…the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” thing but take that advice at your own risk.
Yes, Rolex does have a great reputation for durability. Unfortunately, it also has a reputation for other “less positive” things (I won’t get into the Rolex debate now…people love’em or hate’em). Ironically, Rolex’s laziness in adopting new technology is what makes them so durable…unlike other manufacturers, they have not switched to ultra thin (and much more fragile) movements…open a Rolex and you will see that the movement “fills” the case. You may also want to consider IWC and Omega. Contact me via email if you want more info (I don’t want to hog the board).

RL
 
Hiya,

That Rolex is King is perhaps a myth perpetuated by very clever marketing. Amongst the watch collecting folks, Rolex is arguably an also ran, with many, many brands stacking up higher. It is hard to argue that it's not a durable watch because it is... In the same breath you could say that a Swiss Army knife is durable.

There is no reason that a Sinn EZM1 couldn't last several lifetimes, however, it is a specialty watch in the tactical category and I wouldn't consider it an "heirloom" watch to be handed down through the generations. For heirloom watches, I'd look towards A. Lange & Sohne or Patek Phillipe.

However, for toughness on a lifetime scale, I'd venture to say that a Sinn EZM would last just as long as a Rolex.

RL- The argon gas is actually a filling to eliminate moisture during manufacture. The EZM can and will function perfectly well without the argon gas, thus it could be serviced by anyone in a pinch.

Ultimately, people buy watches for different reasons, same as knives. Some people need a tool watch, others for show and conversation pieces. Sound familiar? Well anyways, I carry a Spyderco Police because I'm not a knife collector per se... just someone who cuts rope and bait now and then :-)

Best Wishes,

Bob
 
I have paid as much as $5000 for a knife that I will never use to cut anything. So, I understand about collecting -- but not watches.

I'm looking for a watch that fits my life style, not the other way around.

Again, please bear in mind that I am not a "watch person." If my questions seem abrupt or offensive, please understand that I mean no offense. I am simply unexperienced and trying to understand this new world.

If this Sinn watch is totally sealed, why does it need any cleaning internally?

If the Argon gas can't leak out, why does it need to be refilled?

How does Argon gas lubricate the works?

If I buy one of these things, you now tell me that I have to send it off for service one a year. My current watch needs service every couple of years: a new battery changed while you wait. Where do I send this Sinn off to? New York? All the way back to Germany? How long am I without it? Two weeks, three, may be four? Do they provide a loaner while mine is in the shop?

I don't, honestly, mind spending 2K$ for a watch if it's durable (The joy of money saved is quickly drowned in the bitterness of poor quality). But, not if this wonder watch is going to spend two to four weeks a year on the sideline.



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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.4cs.net/~gollnick
 

BobHWD - I agree about Patek but not about Lange. Lange does not have a continual history as does Patek. As you probably know, Patek is considered by most who know to be the best made watch in the world. In addition, Patek watches continually bring the highest price in auction. Lange has come out with very nice pieces in recent years but only time will tell if they continue to do so; Patek has done so for almost 150 years. For other high end brands, I would consider Vacheron (my personal favorite), Breguet or Audemars.

For all others - If you aren't into watches, it would be a waste of money to spend a lot of money on a watch. All of the best watches are completely mechanical (automatic or manual wind) and, like an expensive car, require a lot of maintenance. A $20 Casio will tell better time. A Rolex is more of a status symbol than a really fine watch. Sinn has had quality control problems over the last few years.
 
Okay Gollnick, you asked for it
smile.gif

Straight from International Wristwatch (IWW) #40, 1997, UK edition:
"There are two aspects to Sinn's solution[to the deterioration of movement oil]: the drying capsule and the argon filling. First, a drying capsule was developed which would remove any residual moisture from the inside of the watch. This capsule contains copper sulphate, a hygroscopic compound, meaning that it attracts moisture without becoming liquefied. The capsule is screwed into the lug of the watch and a specially developed membrane allows moisture to pass into the drying capsule while preventing the drying salts from from getting into the watch...[a little blurb on how you can see the capsule]...the watch is filled with argon before it is sealed. This is preferable to a vacuum since air can penetrate even a titanium case by molecular diffusion. Argon is an inert gas which cannot form any compound with the oil in the watch: unlike air, its molecules are too big to diffuse through titanium". Now, why open the watch? Well, perhaps it needs to be regulated or the waterproof seals (o-rings) need replacing or perhaps it may be in need of more serious repair (can you own a car without EVER opening the hood or changing the oil?)

As for Lange...they are a resurrected brand (like MV Agusta, Bugatti etc.) not a completely new brand...while they are not as well known as Patek, they are climbing VERY quickly while Vacheron is on the way down (no offense
smile.gif
).

BTW, another quirk about automatic watches is that they should not be allowed to stop...if you plan to not wear them for several days at a time, you should get a watchwinder.

Finally, I said they should be checked once every few years not once per year.

RL

[This message has been edited by RL (edited 23 September 1999).]
 
Thank you for the enlightenment about the Argon. That is interesting. As I was thinking about it, I thought, "What is it about argon that they're interested in. Electronic equipment and fine optics are often filled with dry Nitrogen because it prevents water from getting in and, being a noble gas is doesn't react with anything else in the case. Argon is too, but why go to the trouble of Argon when Nitrogen is cheap?" The answer is that Nitrogen is to small and might get through the porus Ti. Argon is larger. Why not go to Krypton or Xenon? Xenon is very cheap and quite large.

Anyway, I've learned a lot here.

Chuck
 
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