I participated in a 40-hour leadership training event recently. The instructors required all smart watches to be removed prior to starting the course. During the exercises, barbed wire, swamp pond water, trees, mud, etc. were experienced that would likely have challenged the Apple Ultra.

So, I've been reading about mechanical military watches, and "the" watch is reportedly the Marathon GSAR. But, at $1500, I can't really see purchasing for very occasional rugged use. eBay, authorized dealers, forums...might find something used, but probably not less than half price?

Is there an affordable mechanical watch meeting US military standards out there? Sapphire, metal case, tough, etc.

Where are excellent sellers of these?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 4MUL8R,

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
Is there an affordable mechanical watch meeting US military standards out there? Sapphire, metal case, tough, etc.

Where are excellent sellers of these?

Check out Luminox, and look no further than our own member, Dave Truong, owner of Mimi's Jewelry in Southern California.

I have owned Luminox watches for 20 years, and purchased my most recent one right here in a group buy through Dave. Dave is the man, a great, honest businessman and a great member of this forum!

PS- you may need to go used to get the price you want in a mechanical watch, but I think Dave will be able to help you there as well.

.

There are some Marathon watches (not GSAR) that are still robust and are priced lower than GSAR. Check their website. The sometimes go on sale or give 10% discount for first order.

https://www.marathonwatch.com


Try this sire do. I have ordered from them several times in the past. They ship fast.

https://www.gnomonwatches.com


Luminox thru Dave's store is a good option.

Also from Dave, I have a Casio GShock Mudmaster. Although electronic, it's not smart. (I work nuclear, and can wear it behind the fence.) I think it's the GWGB1000-3A, list ~$800. I love it, my favorite watch ever.

this one
https://a.co/d/hDZ50D3

or if they're ok with digital but dumb
https://a.co/d/5HYqkaQ

Check out the Islander brand at Long Island Watch.

Several watches in the tool watch variety. Mechanical automatic movements by Seiko, sapphire crystals, robust bracelets with solid end links and milled clasps, etc.

Entry level price points. I have several Islanders and have been thrilled with all of them.

You can spend more, but a $30-60 Casio watch that is water resistant to 200 meters/20 bar is all you'll need. Any of these will do:
DW291H
AE2000W
WV200R
SGW100
MVD106 (if you want an analog dial)

Some of them even have 10 year batteries in them. They are tough, accurate and inexpensive.

G Shock Solar. Ive never had one fail, and the wrist bands last a decade.

When you say "mechanical military watches" are you looking for a more modern style watch of something vintage style.
Hamilton makes some very nice mechanical /automatic field style watches that might fit your need.

I bought an old school Bulova Hack watch around Labor Day. Eighty years ago, many servicemen wore them. Mine was less than $350 at a watch/jewelry store in a local mall. Very retro.

https://www.bulova.com/us/en/p...=military-collection

Marathon Navigator - around $700 for the quartz or $1,000 for the automatic.

Either Marathon direct, or Watchmann is outstanding.

A basic Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical is a good choice for quite a bit less.

Bulova Military HACK.

Hands down the best field watch for the money.


Timex Expedition for a quartz budget witch.

The Hamilton King Khaki is an outstanding field watch if your budget will allow it. I bought my son one when he graduated college and it gets noticed in the business world.

His is on a leather strap but they have a bracelet model.

Do you have a link to these US military standards?

quote:

Originally posted by clang:
You can spend more, but a $30-60 Casio watch that is water resistant to 200 meters/20 bar is all you'll need. Any of these will do:
DW291H
AE2000W
WV200R
SGW100
MVD106 (if you want an analog dial)

Some of them even have 10 year batteries in them. They are tough, accurate and inexpensive.

Sounds like good advice.

Any G shock solar that also gets atomic clock time updates. They start under $100 and go up depending on how many functions you want. Mine has basic stopwatch, timer and alarm clock and quick check for another time zone functionality. They reportedly can go several decades with the solar rechargeable internal battery. And Gshock tough. I wear one daily in a white collar banking setting. Even though I have a Rolex sub and GMT. I don’t worrry about anybody mugging me for my watch either

Countycomm is a government contract supplier for all kinds of stuff. They make Maratac watches. They go in and out of stock, but mostly feature titanium cases, sapphire crystals, mechanical movements. I’ve worn nothing but my titanium pilot for the last year. They have another batch of titanium GMT’s coming up soon. There’s discount codes if you’re interested.

quote:

Originally posted by 71 TRUCK:
When you say "mechanical military watches" are you looking for a more modern style watch of something vintage style.
Hamilton makes some very nice mechanical /automatic field style watches that might fit your need.

I'll second this. I have a few of them and like them a lot.

I have a GSAR and have worn it since issued it in 2008. It looses 2 minutes a week-like clockwork. Even though it wa issued for diving I have found that it is not a “certified chrograph” like a Rolex would be. I inherited Rolex 1530 that’s mechanical and it keeps time better than the GSAR and it was made in the 70s- but I’d never wear it daily as it was my grandfather’s and I don’t want to injure it

The other watch I wore while a cop was a citizen eco drive I have a “garrison”. I had one I broke but I’m hard on stuff, the replacement I got has stood the test of time and is my backup now.

Plain, simple, keeps perfect time, no winding, this one, but I use a different band. https://www.citizenwatch.com/u...duct/BM8180-03E.html

Cheap Casio? You could wear it inside the wrist.
https://a.co/d/5rAqxkA

My Bulova is in the rotation but I wouldn't want to beat it up.