A Guide to Military Style Watches

The military style watch has been gaining popularity in recent year.  Our nation and the western world has been at war against Islamic terrorism for 16 years and there is little sign that the struggle will ever end.  As the Army recruiting commercials say, "every generation has heroes," and perhaps all of us want to identify with those heroes and show our support.  Military-style watches are practical tools for today's warriors and a fashion homage to our heroes for the rest of us.

What time is it? - Photo by U.S. Army Europe Images from Heidelberg, Germany (What time is it  Uploaded by GiW) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Most military-style watches are generally based on standard issue military watches from the Vietnam era.  They consist of a simple analog dial displaying the 12 and 24-hour times against a plain dark background and feature a drab canvas or leather strap.  Many military-style watches feature a white triangle at the 12 o'clock position.  While the SKMEI military-style watch below features numbered minutes prominently, many do not.  This is a typical example of a military inspired watch.  Amazingly this one costs less than $10.

Some military style watches forego the 24 hour markings in favor of a simplified dial.  One of my favorite affordable military-style watches is this simple Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch.  It's very simple and it fits the military theme well.

If you are looking for another inexpensive option, this U.S. Polo watch is a nice simple and inexpensive example.  While war is no polo match, this watch has the big readable numbers, 24-hour time, and that ever present triangle.  You can generally find US Polo watches priced for less than $25 at traditional retailers like Kohl's or Sears.

You'll find some watches are even more simplified with markings inspired by World War 1 era aviation watches.  This Invicta 1461 is typical of that genre of watch.  On a more expensive end of the spectrum, Bell & Ross followed its smash hit instrument panel watches with a very sparse and utilitarian World War I inspired pilots watches.  These watches are great for those of us with older eyes because we don't have to explicitly admit that we need an Easy Reading Watch.

Of course, sometimes there is no substitute for the real thing.  The Marathon Watch company currently makes military specification watches.  These watches have tritium tubes that provide lighted markings without having to be charged via a light source.  They are also made for the extreme conditions that soldiers may actually face.

Could a Good Watch Save a General's Career?

"Oh my, look at the time ladies!  I've got a war to fight!"
                                                                - Not Actually Said by General Patton

Here's a tactic for generals in trouble:  when surrounded by bimbos, glance at your watch, politely excuse yourself, and retreat!

If you need a good wristwatch to help defend yourself against bimbos, read:

 TGIF: The Baseline Starting Point for Field Watches

Structure Military-style Watch from Sears

A couple of months ago, I got a really cool watch at Sears. It's a Structure Military-style Watch and costs about $30-$35. A classic military dial looks just and diver-style non-rotating bezel makes for a perfect look. It also has a silicone band that is super comfortable and looks like leather.

Walmart: The Power of a Simple Watch

Sometimes the no-name Walmart watches are best when they are simple.  It's hard to beat a simple quartz watch with a Japanese movement with an understated case and legible numbers.

For example, this Walmart watch has all the trappings of a basic military-style watches at a fraction of the price.  The only thing you don't get with a watch like this is luminous hands and a backlighting system.  But, for everyday wear, a wristwatch like this looks great.

Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch Review

Need to liberate France? Here's the watch to wear - the Timex Expedition Vintage Metal Field Watch. It's got the classic looks of a vintage military field watch from World War II.

 

 A Retro Field Watch from Timex

With a weathered brown leather band and a retro dial, it really looks like something that the greatest generation would have worn during their crusade to liberate Europe.  But, beneath the vintage looks, this watch incorporates a modern quartz movement and Indiglo lighting technology. 

If you'd like to buy this watch or another classic men's Timex analog watch, you can find them on Amazon.

Updated - A Guide to Military Field Watches

My recent post on Military Field Watches promised a Guide on the Topic.

  

Timex Expedition Metal Field Watch

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

To get started collecting field watches, you'll also want to check out my new August 2024 post on The Baseline Starting Point for Field Watches.

A 2012 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.

A Praesidus Field Watch (Amazon Photo)

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 post:

A Guide to Military Field Watches