Memories of Military watches?

One of the most often abused terms is “military” when applied to watches and caused mostly by the fact that watch technology has moved on since the first idea of a Military Specification model appeared.  The concept had many facets, each of which was ticked off as a preferred requirement.  Indeed it covered such aspects as case materials, what and why used – such as non-shiny and have fitness properties in respect of weather and wear and in situations rarely encountered in civilian life.

Water, mud, night use and physical damage.  Although it had to be rugged it also had to be reliable and a good time keeper.  Dark dial with white or green luminous numerals which were of legible size,  often a 24 hour track and the watches must be if not minimalistic, simple to operate.  Battery powered models should have a quick and easy way to replace the battery, hence the battery “hatch” found on many Mil Spec models (though in truth some hatches are anything but easy to get the battery out, once in)  Bracelets or straps have to be tough and not fall off easily and both the case and the strap must be waterproof and abrasion resistant.

And these are just the basics, but as I say watch technology has moved on and so too has the “basic” requirements of a military specified model today.  That said some of the best models around are still based on the old specification, as the basic warfare situation, certainly for ground soldiers has hardly changed.  In fact many of the older models are collectors gold depending on the Brand and particular Mil Spec at the time.

But today “military” as a description of modern watches is perhaps more a fashion statement than a serious and proper “fit for purpose” requirement and there are literally dozens of military “style” models around, from good to bad and from expensive, to cheap as chips.  Interestingly a really decent “genuine” military model doesn’t have to cost the earth as long as it gets the basics right.

With the decrease in luminous analog models today unless buying a true Mil Spec model, the “military style” watches, often digital or combo watches tend to feature LE back light displays or dials models.  As one of the original requirements of case design is to be non-shiny, to me the idea of any back lights at night, could well be an enemy sniper’s delight and the last thing you saw!

There are few models around that feature a cover, so if checking your watch it would make sense to exercise extreme caution and only expose the dial briefly with the hand shrouding it from being visible by others?  – care would certainly be my watchword!  But of course I digress – as I’m really talking about Military “style” watches now.

Whilst there is still a market for true Mil Spec models it’s the fashion market that rules today’s biggest market what I’ll call “M-style” watches and basically for those of us who want that military look or style or “stealth” or “macho” model.
Because we collect them and have lots of fun wearing them and because they look good on that camping trip or whatever.  Indeed there are so many, that often original concepts are not considered.

In fact some are so “stealthy” that they are virtually impossible to read and forgetting the most basic tenet of all – you must be able to see it to read it – and this for any watch!

Here, I must note that many digital watches, both combo and digital can and often do suffer from lack of clarity, unless they have a very good digital display.  Fortunately we have the likes of Casio who’s displays are probably the best available (certainly the positive displays) though there are others, whilst they look great on enhanced photos on web sites, are in reality pretty awful and frankly not worth the money.

The Casio on the other hand is used by so many military folks whether Mil Spec or not, is one the the success stories of watch models today.  Some of the G-Shock series in all practical aspects meet and surpass most military requirements AND manage to meet the fashion of the day too.  Quite a feat.  Mind you, talk to a few forces people and their individual ideas of a “military” model that suits their requirements are often very different.  What suits you maybe doesn’t suit me – and so on.

The Casio GD120CM5 digital Camouflage model shown here is one with an excellent display, tough case, dull finish, shock resistant, water resistant to 200m and has a whole pile of extra functions from chronograph to Alarms and OK it does have a decent LED back light – so you MUST take care when using that!  So, as far as a digital only model at $130 it’s also pretty good and the camouflage case and strap is a nice touch.  Also uses the CR2015 battery so expect around 7 years.  But that strap – is it changeable for a standard fit strap?  Unfortunately not, as it uses a proprietary resin affair from Casio fitted to 16mm? spring bars – very odd set up – and that’s a pity – but for the price of the watch – maybe buy 3 of ’em – should last a few years, even in action.

However, for me maybe a good combo model with digital AND analog hands (luminous, might be a more sensible option).
Now OK I know that analog hands could be susceptible to shock situations (though never in all my years, including military) but the advantage for me of the “quick glance” at analog hands is something that digital displays simply cannot match. And in a war situation, believe me, you don’t have much time!

Personally and this is just me talking, there are one or two essential requirements.

1 – it must be legible, day and night – so a good back light display and/or luminous hands, plus a gloved had as a shroud – for sniper safety.
2 – it must be Water Resistant to at least 100m, preferably more, as wading in a river with currents is NOT the same as walking in the rain.
3 – preferably non-shiny and with a standard strap fitting or at least screw-in strap bars.
4 – it must be intuitive/easy to operate.  In other words I have no interest in carrying a watch manual with me wherever I go.
5 – Quartz is fine and as accurate as you will need. And functions IF useful – if not, stick to basics.

Now if some of these basic requirements seem familiar it’s not surprising is it and does show how sensible the basic Mil Spec ideas were after all!

So what have I found so far?
The Casio BD2500BD-1A shown here is not bad at all, as they use real hands, solid and luminous plus used 2 x displays.  But two issues here – 1) they’ve tried to illuminate the entire dial with a dial light – not a good idea and too bright – Why not a simple back light?. The luminous hands will look after themselves.  And 2) an integral strap resin affair – if it breaks you’re done!
And amazingly, this model still has shiny old style pushers – surely non-reflective would be better.

It’s also maybe too well specified regarding features – when I was pushing mud in full kit, there’s maybe too much data on my wrist – so perhaps simple is better.
One thing this has shown me is that to find a suitable combo model is maybe NOT as simple as you might think.

Going back to the Casio Camouflage model model above – you would think that all you have to do is add a couple of analog hands and hey presto as if by magic – you’re done.  Well think again, because just adding hands is not that easy.  Hands generally means the display would be smaller and an hour track also takes up more dial space.  You also might have to make the hands skeletal so you don’t hide the digital display, which in turn decreases luminous quality.  In short designing a model that has a truly legible analog AND digital dial is quite tricky and you can end up (and often the case actually) with dial some ludicrous dial clutter and no luminosity.  Try to light it all and it rarely works well – even for Casio.  Better to keep it simple – lume the hands and markers well and only light the digital display is my advice.

What about Dive watches? and here I already have one that just about meets the requirement –

The St Moritz Momentum Format 4 Whilst not totally dull finish it does at least have a good matte satin finish and it’s debatable if it reflected easily in a torch beam for example, but it’s the nearest yet to my specification.  Dial wise it has large and very luminous analog hands with center seconds, great luminous numerals and markers AND 2 x digital displays, both of which are clearly visible in daylight and have excellent back lit illumination in the dark.  It also has a 24hr track.
Add to that a pretty decent function set with some scroll too, World Time, Alarm, Chronograph and a Timer it’s well specified.
It takes a standard fitting and interchangeable strap and a 200m Water Resistance with screw down Crown and back.  It’s also a neat size at just 42mm across and a more robust steel case you will rarely meet and it has a VERY thick crystal.  So not sold as “military” but does a pretty good job fooling me!

I also checked out Timex as they do have a very cheap and affordable and very lightweight combo Expedition model with analog hands and a digital display and the hands are luminous. However, the hands as are shortened and the luminous quality is disappointing for Timex. Solid full length hands would have been so much better and why they’re part skeleton is a complete mystery to me, as the solid part left still sweeps across the digital display anyway.
So maybe a cheap attempt, but they managed to get some of it right – with its non shiny resin, standard strap, decent size with digital function set with Chronograph and Alarms etc, though I can do without the lap and split time stuff buttons on the front as I can’t ever see me using these, unless inadvertently.   It also has the “Indiglo” back light system which I’ve always thought an idea that should be good, but rarely is. But the poor lume is a real issue. So, good try, but not there yet.

I also checked out the Casio GA100-1A series of Combo military models and discounted them for 2 reasons.  First the luminous analog was confined to the hour markers but NOT the hands which I find surreal.  And 2nd the overall dial light is torch like and not my idea of sensible illumination at all.  It is also a very large watch which does nothing for me – so not a contender.

The problem with this topic is it’s almost unending, as there are so many watch models out there that meet only certain aspects of the “military” ideal and that ideal spec’ changes depending on who you’re talking to.  So the only answer is to decide what you want from a watch, decide what you want to do with that watch, decide on a price range, get it and see if it works for you.

If not, then like me you’re off again on that never ending trawl to find that “ideal” watch – of course you’re never actually going to find it, because there’s always another one just round the corner.  OK you might one today that seems to fit your ideal, wear it for a while and yet? what was that watch I saw the other day – wow! it looked awesome!   Oh boy . . . .!

Lastly – and after all that’s been said – I managed a post regarding the watch I actually used and was with me in my silly years, back in my military days and you’d be surprised. It wasn’t a Military spec or Diver or Stealth or Tough or Tactical – absolutely not.  One of the reasons I suppose being that such terms back then didn’t even exist.

My watch (I only had one) was a gold plated manual dress watch, fortunately with luminous (radium) analog hands and no seconds hand, but with a date window and on a standard leather strap and it survived the worst (arguably the best) years of my life.

And as with things in general, well into my civilian life, it eventually disappeared, but it we had both survived.  And it does illustrate that you don’t really need all those fancy descriptive models hyping their so-called military connections.  Suddenly you’re in the Forces with whatever watch you had at the time. Then before you know it – you’re in action somewhere and funnily enough time isn’t a commodity you have much of in these situations and you and your watch just get on as best you can.

I have to say we both experienced a few bullet scars, but well – that’s life!