If I was going back to "work" in my former profession, I'd think about putting it in one of these wristbands:
Posted on 10/22/2013 8:33:30 AM PDT by JOHN ADAMS
My son is about to enter the military. He will be at the tip of the spear. I would like to get him a really good watch. As I've never done anything more dangerous than clean gutters, I've no idea what sort of watch and what sort of band will stand up to what it will need to stand up to.
I'd be most grateful to anyone who can provide some advice on this.
Thanks so much.
All you want to do is tell time, and I have no clue what he may encounter over there.
I've been wearing 10$ miracles for about 10 or 12 years ... they last a year or more and the same stupid model keeps showing up for the same rediculous price ... except this year ... $12.95
(From a prior service Infantryman)
He will want a watch that can:
Tell time accurately
Can be read in pitch black darkness
Stands up to a lot of abuse
Is light weight
Is water resistant to 25+ meters
He does not a watch that is:
Expensive
Shiny
heavy
MAKES SOUNDS
cost a lot to fix or replace
Here is my recommendation:
http://www.bodytronics.com/p/timex_sport_watches/TIM417?s=fg&gclid=COe5-OTjqroCFa8-Mgod9hsAoA
For a good watch look at Luminox. You can get them from Cabelas or other places.
In reality the previous input was a better idea get a handful of 10-15 dollar timex watches so he does not care about losing/breaking one. Wear the good one at home. Unless he is performing time sensitive operations the cheapos will be good enough.
Make sure it shows the day and date. You start to lose track after you’re out in the boonies for awhile.
Forgot: http://www.luminox.com/
As a watchmaker, I’ve serviced watches owned and worn from WWII to Afghanistan, so I’ve got “some” knowledge.
First, do NOT go overboard concerning cost. The life on the “tip of the spear” can be very damaging to ANY watch. I’ve serviced watches that were themselves “wounded” along with their owners. Too often, the watches are beyond any help.
Look for a hefty watch marked ALL STANLESS STEEL, Waterresistant, and including a Day/Date feature in the dial (usually found at 3 o’clock. One equipped with a “screw-down crown” will tend to be the most Water Resistant. Of course, it should have a ‘Luminous Dial/Hand feature.
MOST important. Only purchase a watch whose BAND can be easily removed and, if need be, replaced with anything from a leather strap or stretch style, or a different linked band with a fold over clasp with safety Too many watches today are made with bands that are actually part of the watch, thus a damaged band is the end of the watch.
Further, is the large number of watches that are made with “cutouts” in the case to accept ONLY the ONE, SINGLE band made “this month” for this watch case. If that band is ruined, too often the watch/band has been “discontinued” and that is the end of it.
Last, look for a case back with room for your son’s initials. This identifies the watch as HIS.
Best of luck to him.
Thank you to those who have responded. I should have added that what worries me the most is the band, and in particular the connection between the band and the watch. From my own experience I know that even normal exercise can weaken the spring bands that connect band to watch, leading the connection to sever and the watch to get lost or be unwearable until the problem can be fixed. I expect a combat soldier’s wrist flexes a whole lot and that this problem will assert itself for my son. I would be grateful for an additional wisdom relating to this issue in particular.
Socks,...yes socks. Seems the Army is issuing cotton socks. Cotton is the worst material for marching and rucking. Go to an army surplus store and get some of the older issue wool blend socks. My neighbor is currently at Ft. Lostinthewoods (Leonard Wood) but I gave him a pair of wool socks to take with. Now he is requesting that his parents send him some more wool socks.
Send him with extra of the spring pins, and you can make up some bands with nylon or cotton webbing and some velcro.
My 1st G shock lasted for around 10 years in saltwater, diesel fuel envionment on Coast Guard cutters. The only reason I got another one was the rubber casing finally melted off. The one I have now will probably last the rest of my life.
In my previous post, I mentioned the problem of the watch band. BUT, it is dangerous to wear a watch than will NOT break or come off.
I have experience with all TOO MANY men and women who have had their watch caught on something during a dangerous time.
When that watch will not break, terrible damage can be inflicted on the lower arm bones. It is the same as the problem with a neck chain so solid it will not break when caught on something.
When everything is going to hell, the last thing to worry about is the watch. If something twists and breaks either of the spring lugs holding on the watch, maybe it’s a good thing.
I’d go with a Luminox watch and Velcro strap that threads through both strap posts.
Great advice, I spent a year in beautiful Baghdad, I used Thorlo socks, they were great and worth every penny, I would highly recommend them for someone who was on his feet all the time.
I see more Casio G-Shocks on the wrists of Navy fighter pilots than any other brand.
I'll second that. You can pay more but not get anything tougher. Had mine 10+ years. Has been down 100’+ diving several times.
If I was going back to "work" in my former profession, I'd think about putting it in one of these wristbands:
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.