Watches that can survive in the field

G-Shocks are the way to go.

Not only are they tough, they don't cost all that much (unless you blew a nasty amount on one of the tricked out models with the thermometer, altimeter, barometer, GPS, digital camera, MP3 player, coffee percolator and laser beam) and are thus pretty easy to replace in the rare event you manage to trash one.

can't say the same for a seiko or a citizen. Timex are pretty tough too but I wouldn't throw a Timex against a wall...

I did that to a G-Shock once... hard enough to leave a little of the red paint from the embossed lettering on the whitewash. I thot that the watch was smashed beyond repair. Picked it up and the watch was still fine. No problems with it at all! The laser beam doesn't aim so well anymore but what the hey!

And then there's all the Tags and Yemas and Omegas and Rolexes... stamped from a single block of steel or not... I wouldn't wear one into a real nasty situation. I can't afford one... I spend too much on my knives... and I can't afford to have the agent refurb it everytime it got scratched either.

For the kind of money you pay for one of these babies, you could buy a handful of G-Shocks... toss a few into your pack as backups... "Alright men, synchronise your watches!!"
 
I have a Citizen Eco Drive with a titanium case & band with a sapphire crystal and this has to be one of the most rugged watches around. The only I've found that damages the crystal is welding spatter from my arc welder. Solar powered, never needs batteries. I used to SCUBA dive and a few times experimented with putting my watch smoewhere other than my wrist....they dissapeared. Personally, I think a watch is too important a piece of equipment to carry any where other than on my wrist where I can feel if it's there or not.

Patrick
 
Rolex Explorer II Its not just a pretty face. I've had mine for 11 yrs now (Got it as a 21st Birthday present from my parents, hell I couldnt afford to buy one) I beleive in using things not just looking at them. This watch has been everwhere with me. I wear it to work (Now IT but I used to work construction too) Its the cats meow!

The Cats Meow :)
 
I'm wearing a Casio Dive Watch that preceeds the G-Shock by a few years. It has survived years of whitewater kayaking, hiking, climbing, diving, and other semi-suicidal activities. I have had to replace the band 3 times and the battery twice. I think I paid $30 for it 15 years ago. I may have to replace it soon since one of the little lamps that illuminates the face seems to have burned out.

My son claims that they played dorm hocky/handball with a G Shock and the watch didn't even seem to notice. That's the direction I'll probably go.
 
I have a stainless steel Rolex datajust that I purchased in 1982. Bought it to be my 'lifetime' watch and have done everything in it including scuba diving since then. The only servicing I've done on it, is the free crystal buffing that any Rolex dealer will do for you.
 
I just picked up a WCT (O&W M4 variant) diver to replace my SS Pulsar Solar Diver for my Everyday watch... I think it is swell :D ;) :cool:
 
One word...FORTIS. Classic look thats destines to become collectors Items. They range in price from 400-6000$ and take a severe beating and hang in there. I wear a Pilot professional Chrono and never take it off. Great watches at ANY price.www.fortiswatch.com
 
Good Evening Everyone-

Yup, you can't beat the flexibility of the IWC Aquatimer, especially in the stainless steel variant. The titanium version is a bit too utilitarian to make the transition to dinner clothes in the evening. This is one of the most robust automatic timepieces on the market. This watch is beautiful in its simplicity at 42mm.

The Fortis does have a bit more attractive pricepoint if there is the opportunity that the watch could be in some "rough" conditions. You can get their pilot-style watch with no complications for a few hundred dollars. The nice part is that the case is 38mm or greater, so you don't have to strain your eyes!

I've owned a variety of Omega watches (they're OK, at best...) with my next purchase likely being either an IWC or Ulysse-Nardin. Take a look at Zenith (rhymes with "ten-ith") and Tutima to see if you like what they have to offer.

You can really get hot n' heavy into this topic over at TimeZone. There are also a couple of manufacturers forums that you'll find interesting. The people on that forum are generally very knowledgeable and will point you towards some very good places to see these watches.

P.S. Isn't it fascinating how the "knife guys" are also "gun guys," "watch guys," "bicycle guys," "flashlight guys," "pen guys," and "motorcycle guys?" Dang, show me a guy into serious automatic watches and I'll GUARANTEE he is into one of those other hobbies/interests.

Regards,

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Have to agree with the G-Shock contingent.., especially for the money. A pretty tough watch...


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Well, what I think I'm going to do is to buy a new watch for my wrist, and take the band off my current watch and put it in some sort of case (I'm tempted to contact a buddy of mine who is a machinist and see if he can mill me something out of 6061).

--JB
 
WCT diver... very nice & won't break the bank.
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- image from: http://www.mochanni.com/~hseung/album/mwr/
 
Yeah, Knifeguys seem to be Gunguys, Watchguys and general goodguys. I like the G-shock, wear one on the range and riding the mountain bike. I like the Fortis and Sinn, should have an EZM1 soon thanks to a Knifeguy and General Goodguy. But to answer the thread question, SAK makes a pocketwatch with a cover that doubles as a desk clock. Looks like what you are looking for. Botach (I know, but is cheap) has them on special. http://botachtactical.com/swisarpocdes.html
 
I'd have to agree with this choice.

The WCT Diver is made by O&W with the dial custom made for Howard at West Coast Time. Several other variants are available, such as one that shows the date. All in all, I've worn an O&W M1 everyday for over a year. Cost is $250 or so.


Originally posted by Warriorsociologist
WCT diver... very nice & won't break the bank.
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- image from: http://www.mochanni.com/~hseung/album/mwr/
Click to expand...
 
I bought an O&W Cougar Divers Watch couple of weeks ago.
cougar_3.JPG

Very nice watch and to my surprise almost dead on accurate from the beginning. No need of a regulation. However, the little hand is not aligned with the big one. I´ll have to send it back for fixing :(.

Until I´ll get it back, it will be missed!
 
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