Military Field Watch Essentials

[nsmike]

What must a watch have to be considered a good Military Field Watch? I mean what are the essential features. In the mid seventies I had an issued field watch as the Unit NBC NCO if you were to design a modern equivalent what features are essential. Here are some of my thoughts.
1. Good Lume
2. AR coat on the crystal
3 Satin finished case
4 Automatic movement (Will a quartz movement work after an EMP?)
5 Decent WR but it doesn't need to be a dive watch
6 Nato/Zulu band w/ rubber optional
7 drilled lugs and solid pins

[foxint]

Mike

I think you nailed the essentials.

Personally I would also like a steel bracelet.

Like the drilled lugs, but spring bars would be much more practical (including the drilled lugs) as it would be quicker to change bands.

My personal favorite is the MilSub-5517 from Rolex, it is a shame they are changing hands for upwards of GBP45K - that's what I read on the net - so it must be right

Dan
Orange

[nsmike]

Mike


Personally I would also like a steel bracelet.

Like the drilled lugs, but spring bars would be much more practical (including the drilled lugs) as it would be quicker to change bands.


Dan
Orange

A steel bracelet would have to be black or dark grey. the regular stainless steel is just to noticeable in the field.

I have broken several spring bars in watches with regular lugs. If the spring bars in the drilled lugs are strong enough it would be ok, just remember, you can't afford to loose your watch during a military operation.
Mike

[GavH]

You forgot hacking seconds and good legibility. You need to be able to read the time instantly, not fight your way through a busy dial.

Foxint, you are correct, SBS issue Rolex Subs go for as much as £55K,a as one did recently up in Edinburgh. One went on ebay Mar/Apr time for £45,500ish.

[Mystro]

Hard to argue with the Rolex Sub.

[nsmike]

You forgot hacking seconds and good legibility. You need to be able to read the time instantly, not fight your way through a busy dial.

Agreed. I did think of it but overlooked it when I typed up the list. Would it be better to say as clean a face as possible? I find the A17 too busy.

[GavH]

Agreed. I did think of it but overlooked it when I typed up the list. Would it be better to say as clean a face as possible? I find the A17 too busy.

Yes that would be fair comment, the 24hr marks on the A17 and similar watches are totally superfluous in my opinion.
Something like the Omega 53, a bit bigger maybe with more prominent GTLS markings would be rigt up my street.

[jbaca]

Acrylic crystal me thinks raised domed

[nsmike]

Acrylic crystal me thinks raised domed

I understand the acrylic it's less likely to glare but I think domed is a preference not an essential. Complications I considered were date and GMT but I decided that while useful they are not essential.

[foxint]

Guys,

Sapphire crystal with AR coating inside - as you do not what the crystal/plastcic to scratch.

Hacking - good - ETA2824-2 or Sea-Gull ST2130 both strong workhourses.

Or get the whole thing PVD's but that can be expensive. The Rolex -5517 seemed to keep the SBS boys out of trouble. Even thought no AR coating, I would favour this addition.

Here is my 5517 on Bond NATO. Still my preferance is Steel - but that is just me.

So to put it all together a R-5517 with AR Coating PVD and perhaps GMT

Dan
Orange