Sunday, July 29, 2012

Updated - A Guide to Military Field Watches

My recent post on Military Field Watches promised a Guide on the Topic.  Unfortunately, I forgot to post the link:  A Guide to Military Field Watches.  If I had been in the military, I'd probably be much more squared away!

Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.  By Spc. Van Der Weide/U.S. Army [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Casio Offers A Watch with Some Protection!


Since ancient times, man has realized the need for protecting the face.  At first, man needed to gain protection from swords and axes.  But, as man evolved, he needed the protection of a mask to fend off baseballs.
Catcher Vic Willis by William M. Vander Weyde (American 1871–1929) [Public domain, Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

It was  a short leap in human history to the creation of the hockey mask.  But, human development was not yet complete.  Man needed protection for his wrist watch as well as his face.  In World War I, wristwatches were first brought to the battlefield and their crystals needed protection.

By Museumsfoto (Deutsches Uhrenmuseum) [CC-BY-3.0-de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons

Then watch crystal materials got a bit tougher so most people could go without a shield over their crystal.  But, not me, I've been banging my watches into door frames for decades.  But, recently, I found this cool little Casio at Target for only $25.00.  It has a wire mask to protect the watch crystal from damage.  Since I've nicked up so many watches that I confine myself to inexpensive timepieces, I could really use this watch.  Plus, it has a 10-year battery life!  It might be a pickup for me this year!
You can check out these amazing armored watches on Amazon here:

Friday, July 20, 2012

A Guide to Military Field Watches

For over a decade American soldiers have been putting their lives on the line in the Global War on Terror (GWOT) and in other places around the world.  They have made tremendous sacrifices in repeated deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.  It's no wonder that military-style field watches have become fashionable.
Band of Brothers - 101st in Iraq, By Signaleer at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
A whole host of watch makers offer watches that are based upon analog field watches from World War II and Vietnam.  They look great and are easy to read.  To learn more, read my article:

Sunday, July 15, 2012

The Joys of a Mechanical Watch

As much as I like my seemingly endless collection of quartz watches, I love mechanical watches, too. They are amazing because they are a masterpiece of mechanical engineering and because someone took the time to sweat the small stuff! For example, this watchmaker at Elgin has to have a steady hand.

 My modern Elgin watches just aren't the same.  But, I still have some mechanical watches and they are cool.
This one is my $50 Walmart Automatic.  I don't think they make this particular model anymore.  But, Walmart used it to pressure their suppliers into making lots of affordable, skeletonized, automatics. Today, you can get nice looking mechanical watches for much less. If you are interested in a mechanical skeleton watch for less than $20, check out this amazing deal on Amazon.com!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

A Cool White Ana-Digital Watch from Walmart

A few days ago, my wife found this ana-digital watch from Walmart for $12.88 or so.  From the dial arrangement, it is apparent that this watch uses the same Japanese movement found in one of my favorite US Polo Association Thre3 brand watches.  The white enamel appearance of this watch looks great.

A Great Looking Ana-Digital Watch from Walmart


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

What would Captain Nemo wear?

Have you ever wondered what Captain Nemo would wear?  In the Jules Verne classic, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, some very modern concepts mix with Victorian sensibilities.


Today, we see similar styles in the steampunk movement.  Personally, I have two watches that have a similar modern, traditional, style.  The first is an ana-digital watch from Walmart.  It has a bronze look and a rich leather band.  You can read more about it here - Wristwatch Review: Advance Watch Company Ana-Digital Watch from Walmart

My second old fashioned watch is looks like a classic automatic.  But, a modern quartz movement is hidden within the watch.  It has a more nautical look.  You can read more about it here - Wristwatch Review:  Men's Elgin Men's Watch with Multifunction Dials.

It's nice when an interesting watch can complement your summer reading!


Saturday, July 7, 2012

Aviation-Inspired Watches with a Vintage Look

I really like the looks of the new vintage-style aviation watches.  They are simple, functional, easy to read, and classic.  Whether you love Bell & Ross or Timex, you can find an aviation-inspired watch with a vintage look. Check out the wide selection of vintage-looking military-inspired watches in the Amazon slide show below:


If you'd like to read  a more complete guide, check out my article:


A Guide to Vintage-Style Men's Watches Inspired by Military Aviation.



Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Precision by Gruen: Somewhere west of Laramie . . .

. . . a motorcycle roars down a desolate highway.  The rider is enjoying the freedom to be an American.  He can wear any kind of watch he wants.  But, he chooses a watch that fits in with the powerful V-twin motor that powers his flight across the west.
By Daniel Hartwig from New Haven, CT, USA (P7020127.jpg) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) or CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
 The watch he chooses Precision by Gruen.  A watch brought to you by a fabled name in American watch lore.  It has an accurate quartz movement from Japan.  The bezel rotates one click at a time.  It's a cool watch man and it looks like it's made for heavy metal thunder!
Anybody can write advertising copy.  The question is will this watch work for you?  To find out, read my review at -

The Gruen name also lives on in Gruen II watches like this one:

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Having a Watch Emergency? Try Rite Aid!

If you are having a watch emergency and find yourself in need of a watch in the middle of the night, you might try your local Rite Aid.  They are now selling Sergio Valente SV quartz watches for $19.99.

A Watch Display at Rite Aid

Diver Style SV Watch

 
Square Instrument Panel Style SV Watch