Watch Help

USAFSP

USAFSP

Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Messages
2,357
I am looking to get a decent EDC watch but don't wanna pay over $150.00 for it. What do you all recommend? It just needs to tell time, but I do like gadgets too. I was thinking about a G-Shock solar/atomic watch, but don't know that much about watches. It can be analog or digital or both. Thanks in advance for your help fellas/ladies.
 
G-Shock Atomic Solar

I've had this one for a while and I trust it completely. It doesn't need winding or batteries and it resets itself every night. It's picked up a few scratches to the band and case because I don't baby it. I don't worry about it getting wet or dirty because it cleans and dries right off. Push the button for the night light and you can actually see it in the dark. Big digits for my old eyes during the day.

There's a black plastic model with the same mechanism if you don't like the weight. Mine is a massive piece of equipment.

---

pseep had a Black Monster for sale. I don't know if it's gone, though.
 
Your location is going to affect whether or not the atomic watch receives a signal. The atomics are not especially accurate, they're simply radio receivers.

When you're deployed, forget it. It's the same as any other digital watch.

Solar is better, I think Casio has most of the bugs worked out.

How about an automatic? As EB said, you could get a Seiko Black Monster for your number. -Not as accurate as a quartz, but much cooler, and customizeable/upgradeable by Bill Yao should the urge (and funds) ever strike. -Heck, a NATO/ZULU/Rhino strap could start you off, and for not much extra dough. :thumbup: :cool:

That's the direction I'd go if I were you.
 
That is a cool ass watch. The only issue I have is I have arms like a damn ape, so the strap needs to be rubber, leather or nylon. I am getting some great ideas here though. Thanks.
 
The G-Shock would be a good choice. There were a few solar models with problems (mostly the GW-300). Some thoughts now seem to be leaning towards Panasonic having had a bunch of bad 1616 cells. The problem should be fixed now. If that would still concern you, there are other solar models using the 2016 rechargable cell that have no record of any problems.

There are plenty of display options. The combo displays are nice, but the digital parts are ususally small and dont display all the desired information (time, seconds day/date) and such all at once, you have to cycle through. I have a few of them, but if you need easy to see at a glance I would go with all digital.
The radio control is nice, but as stated above it is dependent on location.

This particualr model is nice (available in black if you need it). Solar, not radio controlled, timer, alarms (5 of them) and all the usual gadgets.
white-g-lide.jpg


This is a combo display, solar and radio controlled. I like it a lot but the digital display part is small and shows very limited info at any one time.
021706-2.jpg


This particular model is very popular. There was a guy at WUS who has tested his to extremes. He has frozen his in blocks of ice, thrown it against walls and most extreme was tossing it off the roof of a 25 floor hotel onto the concrete below. The watch still works and only shows a few scars on the outside.
g-combo.jpg


Probably one of the most desired models if the Frogman. The Triple Crown model is the current version. It may go a bit over your 150 limit, but IMO it is worth every penny. It is solar with a large storage cell and a nice easy to see display.
gw200wp-b-640.jpg
 
Esav Benyamin said:
G-Shock Atomic Solar

I've had this one for a while and I trust it completely. It doesn't need winding or batteries and it resets itself every night. It's picked up a few scratches to the band and case because I don't baby it. I don't worry about it getting wet or dirty because it cleans and dries right off. Push the button for the night light and you can actually see it in the dark. Big digits for my old eyes during the day.

There's a black plastic model with the same mechanism if you don't like the weight. Mine is a massive piece of equipment.

---

pseep had a Black Monster for sale. I don't know if it's gone, though.
Click to expand...

Same watch here and I love it!:cool:
 
another vote for the solar atomic G shock. i've got one and it is great, the best part is you can pick them up at wally world for well under 100 bucks.
i've had several g's over the years and haven't been able to kill one yet. later, ahgar
 
I got my mb microtec watch for 130. Granted it doesn't do anything really that great, but it's pretty tough and the tritium is nice you can tell the time at night and don't light up the sky with indiglo or anything like that. Also look into suunto I think you can usually find the vector for 150 and under online. Pretty cool watch, but it's huge.
 
I've got my beloved Seiko SKX 007 k2 classic diver's watch with jubillee bracelet, and it's held up really great so far.
I'm very hard on my gear including my watch, but it still looks good. I use it on the ranch, workshop, sport, hiking, everyday life, everywhere--it's always on me even while sleeping!

Automatic and 200m water resistant. Looks really neat too.

It's the one that Yao uses as a base. I like my basic version just fine.
 
My vote goes for the Seiko Black Monster.

Edit: Then get a Zulu Band. Saw these at BLADE on a watch Tom Krein had, really nice bands for hard use wear. Tom Krein also has a nice collection of Seiko watches.
 
I have one of these: http://www.casio.com/products/Timepiece/G-Shock/G541D-1AV/
Considering it's pretty dang tough, it still looks fairly nice. It's a little bulky like all the G-Shocks, but it's comfortable to wear. I don't know what they're called but the protective bars across the face also ensure that the crystal is all but impervious to scratching. I also like that it has analog hands, but digital displays too. I'm not sure what your deployment schedule looks like, but keep in mind that an atomic watch will carry no benefit if you're halfway around the world from the signal. Good luck finding the perfect timepiece though.

:edit: This was the best picture I have on hand.
IMGP0506.jpg
 
I really like that one. I need to find one like that with a rubber band though. I am not too worried about going across the world too much. I start a desk job on the 1st of July. LOL :Yay Me:
 
I'm going to look at the mall tonight. I will let you all know what I decided on later tonight. Thanks for all the help.
 
I ended up going with this one. I couldn't pass it up. Especially with the sapphire crystal. I looked in the mall and the best I could get was in the mid to low $300 area (retail is $450). I found it online as a deal of the week for $190 with 2 day shipping.
sna459.jpg

Seiko Coutura Dress/Dive Alarm Chronograph features:

Independent 12 hour Alarm
Alarm Minutes and Hour Sets in Subdial
1/5 second Chronograph
Chronograph Measures Up To 60 Minutes
Separate Second Hand Subdial
Dual Time Capable within Alarm Subdial
Water Resistant to 200 meters (660 feet)
Screw Down Case Back
Screw Down Sapphire Accented Cabochon Crown
Sapphire Crystal
Unidirectional Elapse Time Diving Bezel
All Stainless Steel construction
Lumibright Hands and Markers
Date Window
DIMENSIONS:
Diameter 40 millimeters (43 millimeters with crown)
Depth (thickness) 11.5 millimeters
 
The Timex SHOCK series is a big improvement over the miniscule digital display of the Casios. Don' t get me wrong. I' still have a few Casios that I wear. But the TIMEX is what gets more wrist time for a work/ sport/ abuse watch. The display is BIG- easy to read at a glance. The function buttons are NOT recessed like many of the Casio G-Shocks. Try depressing them without finger nails or with gloves on! The Timex Shock model IronMan Triathlon is the model I am currently wearing. The beefy well made velcro closure single strap band (a la Luminox SEAL model) is easy to work with. I think it retails for about $69. Not too bad for the new Shock model on the block. :)

N.
 
USAFSP,

For your next watch (yes, there is ALWAYS a "next watch"), I strongly suggest this one:
http://www.bluedial.com/PUA115.htm

I have the bracelet version, and it's an EXCELLENT watch...Alot more quality than its' low price would lead you to believe.:).
 
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