So my older brother and I are both big watch fans. He's at a totally different level than I am with a collection in the 000,000 range. Ball had a presale (basically a kickstarter like campaign) for new Engineer III watches the Bronze Star and the Silver Star. They offered them at a great pre-order price and my brother very generously ordered two; one of me and one for him. He has spent most of his life living overseas and doesn't have much experience with the US military and such. So the watches are military watches as they have isignias on them. They are pilot watches so I think he just thought they were avaition insignias of some kind. Turns out they are Airforce insignias. Now neither of us or anyone in our family for that matter has served in the Airforce. I almost feel like these watches should be reserved for people who have. I definitely don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth. It was a very thoughtful and generous gift. So should I be feeling weird about this or just shut up and enjoy my new watch?

What say you?

The watch in question.

No reason to feel weird it's a commercially available watch- Enjoy it.

I bet you could work a trade for very little cost to end up with one with no insignia.

Link

Beautiful watch!!! I'd wear it!

I wouldn't worry about. It's a watch, not stolen valour.

It's a tribute piece, no shame in showing tribute to our military. Plus, I doubt many, if any, will ever recognize the insignia.

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So should I be feeling weird about this or just shut up and enjoy my new watch?

Nobody notices or cares but you, man. Enjoy.

I served in the USAF for 24 years and your wearing that fine watch doesn't bother me a bit. If anything, you are showing support of those of us who did. It's not a military medal or award.

Enjoy and appreciate.

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Originally posted by egregore:

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So should I be feeling weird about this or just shut up and enjoy my new watch?

Nobody notices or cares but you, man. Enjoy.

Exactly, I'm an Air Force Vet and I would have no idea what kind of watch it is nor would I care. Enjoy it.

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Originally posted by TXJIM:
It's a tribute piece, no shame in showing tribute to our military. Plus, I doubt many, if any, will ever recognize the insignia.

This.

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They have Conductor, Trainman, Fireman collections, but that doesn't mean you need to have operated the locomotive to wear one, it's just a marketing thing.

Nice watch, wear it with pride, you have a good brother to give it to you...

Showing support for the military. But I do understand your thoughts/feelings on the subject. It's the exact reason I won't wear a shirt or hat with a military insignia.

Also, I'm not a watch wearing guy, but that is NICE!

It would take a total nutjob to have a beef over someone wearing a commercially available watch. I wouldn't give it a 2nd thought, nothing wrong at all - in fact like others have stated it's showing support - not trying to claim you served.

Just enjoy the gift from your brother.

But, if it makes you feel too weird, I'm in for the karma.

I agree, it's fine and pretty subtle, it isn't a big USAF crest or anything.

I can see how getting such a nice gift might be a problem.

That is a really good looking watch.

I love the clean, uncluttered, easy to read, face.

Wear it, enjoy it, and think of your brother when you wear it.

I wear an Omega Seamaster Pro, but I'm not James Bond. I'm not even an MI6 agent.

FWIW, many Luminox watches have navy seal insignias on them, as well.

There is exactly one type of vet who will give you shit about having that watch and wearing it with pride: the kind who did absolutely jack diddly in their do-nothing, no-responsibility having position, and in their insecurity treats the simple fact that they served as some sort of exclusive club membership to be used to lord over supposedly lesser mortals.

Those of us who have actually accomplish something during our service applaud you for showing support to our brothers and sisters in uniform. Rock it with pride bro.

I'm not military, but I'd put this in the same category as buying a Blue Angels baseball cap at an airshow. Heck, back in the 80s when Top Gun came out, every clothing store had flight jackets on the rack. I doubt that many people believed the guys wearing them were REALLY Navy pilots.