Tacticool Watch ?

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Nov 17, 2001
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Guys, we often hear about tactical knives, tactical folders, but are there such things as tactical watches ? I guess what I'm trying to ask is what kind of watches do our armed forces wear during tour ?

I watched the Kingdom (Jamie Foxx) the other night, excellent movie IMHO, and it got me thinking about tactical watch when I saw Jamie's watch in that movie. What kind of watch is he wearing ?
 
I have a copy of that film. I believe it is a G-Shock. I believe that's a popular choice with the armed forces. Relatively cheap, reliable, tough as nails.

As far as tacticool goes the Marathon line-up is pretty darn cool.

Some are partial to the Traser watches...
 
Guys, we often hear about tactical knives, tactical folders, but are there such things as tactical watches ? I guess what I'm trying to ask is what kind of watches do our armed forces wear during tour ?

I watched the Kingdom (Jamie Foxx) the other night, excellent movie IMHO, and it got me thinking about tactical watch when I saw Jamie's watch in that movie. What kind of watch is he wearing ?

Yes, it is a G-Shick. I think it is the Mudman model.
 
G-Shock, Marathon, Traser. They should account for a lot of them. Traser manufactures for Luminox and S&W watches. Add in good old Timex. Add in Seiko.
 
G-SHOCK Tough Solar. Extra tacticool= Pathfinder models w/ compass, alti. and barometer. Also reverse black display.

Urban metrosexual/ Bond tacticool= Tissot, Tag Heuer, Omega or Rolex.
 
I managed to trash a G-Shock Tough Solar. I wear a Seiko Black Monster now. I like digital with extra functions but honestly can't see how that's good in true tactical situations. Perhaps for outdoorsmen, but not soldiers.

They need the time, available at a glance, simpler is better.
 
luminox 8802 Anniversary Series of the Navy Seals Watch.
After my 12yr old Seal watch was too beat up to continue I got this one and I love it!
8802.jpg
 
Urban metrosexual/ Bond tacticool= Tissot, Tag Heuer, Omega or Rolex.

While that's true to an extent Rolex, Heuer (pre-TAG) and Omega have been issued in the past. The Rolex Sub was the standard issue watch of the SBS for many years and it was also issued to SEALs for a few years. The Blancpain 50 Fathoms was issued by several countries, including France, West Germany, Poland and the US.
 
The coolest "Tacticool" watches I've seen recently are the Lum-Tecs. The B2H looks pretty sweet, and it's even American made. They look pretty durable, but it would be interesting to see some feedback from field use. I've got the regular Combat B2, and it is awesome, but it has only had to survive the office jungle so far.

-Tim

lum-spidey.jpg
 
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I have a few Luminox watches and a G-shock but the Marathon GSAR is by far my favorite of the "tacticool" watches I have. :thumbup:
 
Ahhhh, a subject I've been looking into for sometime. The "ruggedized" watch versions have great value for their price point like G-Shocks and are durable, hence very popular with the troops, so are the Trasers/Luminoxes. There are also those from Chase-Durer (Mike Westen/Burn Notice) and MTM (Jack Bauer/24)

However, for the true, battle-bred MILSPEC watches that are sometimes issued to real-deal operators being paid the big bucks:

1. Marathons are very popular.

http://countycomm.com/Watches.htm

2. Someone already mentioned the Blancpain "Fifty Fathoms" Watch and its esteemed history -

http://blancpain.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-4/pi-2698241/ti-449461/s-0/

3. The Zodiac Super Sea Wolf was said to be issued (can't confirm though) and was very popular with the US Navy Seals in the 70's. There's even a petition to bring it back -

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/222259874

http://www.timezone.com/library/archives/archives0051

4. Currently, I hear the SEAL's privately purchase DOXA's -

http://www.doxawatches.com/sub800ti.htm

5. The watch issued to the elite German GSG-9 troops; the SINN 503EZM.1 -

http://www.broadarrow.net/ezm1.htm

6. Not sure if the Kobold SMG-1 is MILSPEC, but might as well be! Personally it's up against the Sinn in terms of functional simplicity in design -

http://www.watchuwant.com/watches/kobold-smg-1-pvd-gmt-limited-edition-30-pcs
 
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After my 12yr old Seal watch was too beat up to continue I got this one and I love it!


+1 for Luminox. My SEAL watch crystal, after 9 years of hard use, ended up so scratched that I couldn't see the hands any more. I ended up getting the Field Watch. I needed a timer/alarm combo, but didn't want to be without a Luminox.
 
Guys, we often hear about tactical knives, tactical folders, but are there such things as tactical watches ? I guess what I'm trying to ask is what kind of watches do our armed forces wear during tour ?

My unit issued Marathon diver's watches to the Officers and Senior NCO's for our latest year long tour in Iraq. I left mine at home and wore my Citizen Aqualand which I wore during my 1st tour in Iraq in 2004. Most of the soldiers are wearing Timex and Citizen watches bought from the PX. Some guys wore Sunuto Vectors and there were some Seiko divers too. Most guys today spend their money on laptops and playstations rather than knives and watches like us old timers.
 
luminox 8802 Anniversary Series of the Navy Seals Watch.
After my 12yr old Seal watch was too beat up to continue I got this one and I love it!
8802.jpg

Now that's a cool one. Makes me drool all over my keyboard.
 
The coolest "Tacticool" watches I've seen recently are the Lum-Tecs. The B2H looks pretty sweet, and it's even American made. They look pretty durable, but it would be interesting to see some feedback from field use. I've got the regular Combat B2, and it is awesome, but it has only had to survive the office jungle so far.

-Tim

lum-spidey.jpg



Those are crazy-cool watches. Just checked their site out and really like the LUMzilla LZ3. I think I will have to sell off a few knives!
 
Those are crazy-cool watches. Just checked their site out and really like the LUMzilla LZ3. I think I will have to sell off a few knives!

Yeah, I'm expecting the Lum-Tecs are going to be like knives: you can't stop at just one. Pretty cool they only do small batches. Almost unheard of anymore.

-Tim
 
i wear a casio pathfinder at work. not often, but ive needed the compass and stopwatch.

i also like the solar feature, no worry about batteries. and i dont want anything that glows on its own. having worked nights for many years, i don't need any more shiny stuff on my person than policy requires.
 
luminox field watch. I've had one for years now and it has been great. that's my vote
 
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