Military style watches are a great way to combine rugged features with a timeless design that’s always in style. Many of these timepieces are made by renowned brands, and they’re often more affordable than their civilian counterparts.
These watches are essentially replicas of field watches that were typically issued to soldiers, sailors, airmen and other military personnel. These watches often incorporated special features like chronographs, water-resistant cases and other military-specific specifications. They also had specific markings and serial numbers to indicate their military origin, which made them valuable to buyers who wished to emulate them.
Some military-style watches have a modern twist on their classic designs, incorporating more sleek, polished and shiny elements to cater to the tastes of today’s market. These watches usually have a black dial and big, legible hands and numerals.
While some brands have gone on to manufacture their own military-style watches, others have resurrected heritage models that were once the watch of choice for troops and service members around the world. These resurrected watches, which range in price from $300 to $649, can be a great investment for someone looking for a piece of history that will last them a long time.
Laco’s Westerland is one such model. This large-sized pilot’s watch has been a staple of military flight since 1925, and it still delivers excellent flight-specific features like SuperLuminova on the dial and hand for night ops, along with a heavy duty leather strap.
Another big-name military-inspired field watch is the Marathon General Purpose Mechanical (GPM). This 34mm watch comes in a composite case and features a Japanese automatic movement and tritium illumination for reliable legibility day or night, plus a reasonable cost of ownership.
The Swiss company is also responsible for the highly-rated aviator’s model Aerospace Evo Titanium, which combines a luxury aesthetic with legitimately useful aviation features like a second time zone, alarm and calendar. This highly-tough, durable timepiece is also executed in titanium, and a soft-iron inner case helps protect it from magnetic fields.
Citizen’s Eco-Drive is another great option, as it embodies all of the elements of a great military-style watch: an extremely rugged design, black background and large, luminous hands and numerals, and a battery that’s extremely durable. The company also offers this military-inspired watch at a surprisingly inexpensive price, with a mineral crystal and 100-meter water resistance.
Bulova’s Fifty Fathoms is a popular homage to the diver’s watch that was developed by French secret service agent Captain Bob Maloubier, who worked with the French Navy to develop a dive unit in the early 1950s. It was a prototype that never made it into serial production, and Bulova still makes it today in a limited edition.
Breitling’s Aerospace Evo Titanium is another great example of a military-inspired watch. This fully-featured analog-digital timepiece was designed with aircraft cockpits in mind, and it’s available in a lightweight titanium version as well as an even lighter ceramic version that can be strapped to your wrist with ease.
Men’s military watches
The best men’s military watches are durable, functional and built to last. They’re designed to withstand harsh conditions and are aimed at people who love the outdoors, including hunters and tactical outdoor professionals.
Despite their tough designs, these watches are still stylish and sophisticated enough to wear in public or at work. There’s a wide variety of designs available, and the price range is also reasonable.
Some of the most popular military watches are made by top brands like Mont Blanc, Seiko and Luminox, while others are more affordable. These watch brands offer a variety of features that appeal to military personnel, such as water resistance and luminous hands and markers.
Most of these watches are quartz-powered, but there’s a few that use in-house mechanical movements. Some are also equipped with tools like a barometer, compass or thermometer for improved safety and convenience.
The most basic watches can be found for less than $200, while more expensive ones may come with a high-grade sapphire crystal. Depending on the model and brand, these watches can be equipped with a tachymeter, chronograph or alarm functions.
One of the most common military watches is the G-Shock, which has been a staple of military personnel for decades. These watches are durable and feature Indiglo light-up dials, 100m of water resistance and stopwatch and countdown timers.
Another favorite is the Timex Command Collection, a line of watches that’s been created to withstand rough conditions and feature a variety of useful features. These watches are also water-resistant and shock-resistant, and they have a multifunction alarm, 1/100-second timer and hourly time signal.
If you’re looking for a military-grade watch that’s more affordable, you can opt for Seiko, which makes a number of excellent models. These are a great option for military personnel who want an affordable watch that has quality features, such as water resistance and shock-resistance.
A few of these models also have luminous hands and markers, which are an appealing option for military members who like to be able to read the time at night. They are also a good choice for those who prefer quartz-powered watches.
Many military watches feature a NATO strap, which is known for its durability and quick-drying properties. These straps have been developed by the British Ministry of Defence and are fastening methods that are popular among hikers, hunters and other tactical outdoorsmen.
Nordgreen offers a great selection of military watches that are durable and made to last. These watches are available in a range of colors and are suited for men who love the outdoors.
The simplest way to define a military watch is to look for one that’s reminiscent of the field watches used by soldiers in battle. These are watches that are typically black and gray in color, as well as having a rugged design.
Some of these watches are even engraved with the word “military” in Arabic, which gives them an authentic military-grade feel. This is the perfect option for those who love the history of military watches and want to be able to tell the time while in action.
Vintage military watches
Vintage military watches are an increasingly popular genre for watch collectors. They offer a unique appeal to watch enthusiasts because of their government-issued heritage. Many of these vintage pieces hold a high degree of value, and are often very attractive and inexpensive to collect. They are also a great choice for people who want to start collecting vintage watches, or who simply enjoy the history and style of these timepieces.
World War II ushered in a period of tremendous technological development for all types of mechanical equipment. For instance, the military developed aircraft, navigation systems, and telecommunications devices that required precise timing. This was especially true of watches, which were an essential part of the military force’s arsenal of tools.
When it comes to vintage military watches, there are a few things that are important to consider. These factors include toughness, serviceability, and ease of use.
- Toughness: The case of a military watch must be built from a material that is highly resistant to impact, damage, and corrosion. It should be machined from stainless steel, nickel-coated base metals or other materials that can stand up to harsh environmental conditions.
- Reliability: A watch’s movement should be highly reliable and easy to work on, so it can be repaired or replaced as needed. A reliable movement is essential for a military watch to function properly, and this should be one of the top considerations when shopping for a new piece.
- Ease of Use: Military watches should be easy to operate, with a simple and functional design. This includes a clear dial with no extraneous elements, as well as a dive bezel that can turn easily without the need for special tools.
These characteristics are governed by military-specific guidelines that are given to manufacturers seeking to produce watches for the military. They are a huge part of the appeal of military watches, as they allow for the timepiece to be extremely functional and durable.
Another trait that sets vintage military watches apart is their ability to serve as a reminder of times past. They can be a fantastic way to commemorate events such as a war or a particular event, or to remember someone who served in the military.
In addition to serving as a memento, vintage military watches are also an excellent entry point for anyone who wants to get into the world of vintage watch collecting. Because most militaries no longer issue watches to their soldiers, these watches are a fantastic place for first-time collectors to begin their collections.
Some of these watches can be very expensive, but they are still very beautiful and a lot of fun to wear. They are also very versatile, making them a good choice for people who like to have different options when it comes to their wardrobe.
The best vintage military watches are those that are made from the highest quality materials. These can include stainless steel, gold, and other precious metals. They should also feature a crystal that is scratch-resistant, which can help keep them looking their best. They should also be water-resistant and have a bracelet that is comfortable to wear.
Military diving watches
Military diving watches are waterproof timepieces used for underwater activity. They are designed to withstand the harshest of conditions and are often worn by elite military divers. They can be found from many manufacturers including Breitling, Rolex and Omega.
Some of these watches are based on classic dive watch designs and others have been designed to withstand the extremes of military service. Some of them are a combination of both analog and digital while others are pure analog.
There are some important features that you should look for when buying a military dive watch. These include durability, water resistance, serviceability and ease of use.
A high quality military diver watch should be made from a durable material like stainless steel or even gold. It should also have a solid case and bracelet that can withstand the toughest conditions.
The most iconic military diving watch is the Rolex Submariner, which was a standard issue to the British Royal Navy back in the 1950s. Today, it is still one of the most popular diving watches.
Another popular military diving watch is the Cabot Diver Issue issued to the Special Boat Service (a British Navy SEAL equivalent) since 1987. This timepiece has a chronometer certified movement, a sapphire crystal, reasonable day/date display and Super-Luminova on the dial and hands.
This spec sheet also includes a DLC coated case and bracelet, an SW200 movement, a ceramic bezel insert and of course, the helium release valve that you need for rebreathering in deep waters. Pricing starts at $720.
Some of the most expensive military dive watches can cost over six figures, but these are some of the most coveted and desirable timepieces around. Some of them are limited editions, while others are produced in very small numbers and are therefore rare to find.
Nevertheless, there are some watches that are priced under $1,000. These are some of the best value military diving watches that will provide all the functionality you need.
The CWC SBS is a modern tactical diver’s watch that has a sapphire crystal, a reasonable day/date display, a 120-click unidirectional bezel and Super-Luminova on the dial and hand. The bracelet is stainless steel and has a fold over clasp that is also secured with the Oysterlock safety system.
This is the best budget military diving watch and is available in a variety of colors. It is a very reliable watch, which can be worn everyday and also when you are on an important mission. It is also very well made and has a good spec sheet with a chronometer certified movement, a robust case and bracelet.
Military dive watches are a great way to show off your dedication and commitment to the military. They are a great gift idea for any military veteran and also make a nice addition to your collection of other fine Swiss watches. They are durable, waterproof and easy to read – plus they are stylish and sophisticated enough to wear every day.
Automatic military watches
A military watch is designed for use in extreme environments and must be able to withstand harsh conditions while maintaining its functional integrity. Its design should be streamlined and easy to read, with contrasting colors, lume, and big numerals to ensure that it can be easily distinguished at a glance in low lighting.
The best military watches are durable and have a long service life. This is especially true for watches made by companies that work directly with the armed forces. They often incorporate features that are meant to improve the user’s chances of survival, such as a barometer, compass, thermometer, and tachymeter, as well as tools that can help in emergencies, like an alarm or a second time zone.
There are many different types of military watches and each type has its own special set of requirements. For example, a dive watch should be waterproof to at least 100m. It should also have a high ATM, which means it can withstand quick changes in pressure.
If you’re looking for a military-inspired watch that’s tough, stylish and built to last, consider a Swiss-made model with a high-grade movement. These tend to cost more than their quartz counterparts, but they’re usually much more accurate and robust.
Luminox offers one of the most rugged and versatile military-inspired watches on the market with its AIR GMT watch. Its Carbonox bezel is engraved with 24 world cities, representing the home bases of elite military troops.
Its stainless steel case, which can be brushed or polished, is water resistant to 100 meters, and its automatic movement is Swiss-made. Its 24-hour inner ring indicates the hours, minutes, and seconds and its display features a domed sapphire crystal.
The SNZG15 is an excellent choice for someone who wants to upgrade from a quartz watch and add military-inspired functionality to their outfit. It comes with a world time and GMT function, an alarm, a stopwatch, a calendar and more, and it’s available in several different case styles and straps.
Bell & Ross’s Black Camo model is a great pick for someone who enjoys hunting or other outdoor activities in the wild. It’s made from a military-type tricolor coating to help prevent detection and is also resistant to scratching.
Another great option is the Bertucci A-1S, which has a more modern look and feel while maintaining the functional characteristics of a classic field watch. Its dial face is a little thinner and wider than the typical DIN font, serving up an extra legible look that’s subtly more dynamic.
It’s powered by a Swiss-made movement, and it has the same features as other G-Shock models, such as an emergency stopwatch, five alarms, a stopwatch, world time with 48 cities and an electronic backlight. It’s also a great pick for anyone who prefers a more minimalist and pared-down style.
It’s worth noting that a lot of these watches feature a dive bezel that makes them ideal for aquatic military operations, but they’re not necessarily the only option. If you’re looking for a more subtle approach, Seiko offers a solid and simple-yet-dependable diver watch in the form of its SKX, which is priced at more than a reasonable amount. It has a dependable ISO-rated automatic movement, straightforward diver design, modest size and category-leading luminescence.
