Tag: military watch
The Joy of Vintage Wristwatches
by on Aug.06, 2010, under Dress Watches, Military Watches
Vintage wristwatches have for centuries been one of the most prized collectors’ items. Not only that, but vintage watches are also hugely popular as hand-me-downs, family heirlooms and as gifts for a variety of celebrations. They do not even have to be ‘vintage’ in the strictest meaning of the word; many companies specifically design and make these watches to resemble a vintage look, and sometimes even have modern features incorporated into them. Those are known as replica vintage watches.
Let’s talk a little about actual vintage watches, though. The year was around 1900 and Dietrich Gruen introduced his line of wristwatches to the world. His mission: To produce the thinnest watch possible by cutting out some of the internal overlapping parts. Doing this, famous watches such as the VeriThin, SemiThin and Pentagon were made substantially thinner than its competitors.
Technically speaking, authentic vintage watches have certain characteristics:
- Typically, they are considered vintage if produced before 1970.
- Watches made in the mid ‘70s until modern day almost always use the Quartz movement feature which is Swiss-invented and is not indicative of a vintage watch.
- Vintage watches serve many purposes, like: as heirlooms, collector’s items, people who love to study in the inner workings, and so forth.
- Classic vintage watches have unique characteristics, such as: dials with Arabic numbers, oversized faces and shells, Swiss military engravings, or individual families’ last names engravings.
- Vintage watches were made by several renowned companies, such as: Wittnauer, Hamilton, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, Perrelet and Universale Geneve.
- The Vintage Military style is one of the most treasured. It can be either Swiss or American-made, and common manufacturers of Vintage Militaries include Hamilton, Omega, Bulova, Waltham, Universale Geneve and Elgin.
- Of the former, 90% of them were made during or around the time of World War II, and are extremely valuable wristwatches.
- They were made, and are still sold by many antique dealers with metal, leather, or gator-skin bands.
What it means to own a vintage wristwatch
Owning a vintage wristwatch is a symbol that you are a person of integrity, sophistication, tradition and character. In many cultures and subcultures, vintage watches are handed down to posterity once they attain a certain age, or once a specific milestone has been achieved. In other cultures, people collect fine vintage wristwatches that have been fully-restored. They will then either sell these watches to discerning patrons or proudly display them at home and on their wrists.
Vintage watches are so much more than just keeping the time. They are a reflection of taste and an expression of high-style of the owner. They simply exude charm—something which most modern wristwatches cannot claim. In addition, vintage wrist-wear symbolizes an era that’s gone-by: an era where railroad workers used wristwatches and pocket watches to keep track of time, and a period of time in where quality and style in smaller numbers really meant something. We live in a time where goods are produced en masse and sold to the masses. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that. However, if you want to keep alive the times before mass-marketing then go online and browse the great selection of vintage wristwatches.
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A Swiss Military Watch Makes the Perfect Gift
by on Jul.31, 2010, under Military Watches
Swiss Military Hanowa Men’s 06-4095-04-079 Sealander Watch $135.00
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The Swiss military watch is a timeless expression of beauty, precision, ruggedness and innovation. Since its humble beginnings in 1963’s Switzerland, Swiss watches and their patented Swiss Quartz Movement have set the benchmark for many of their competitors. Chronometers and chronographs are two of the most instantly identifiable hallmarks of the Swiss watch. Tests of endurance through deep water submersion, heavy shocks and dirt/dust infiltration tests have all proved the Swiss timepiece to be second-to-none. Precision and hand-craftsmanship is what it is all about.
Caveat Emptor
When you give a Swiss military watch to someone you care about, make sure it’s the real thing. Any genuine Swiss watch will have the insignia “Swiss Made” engraved or stamped on it. As with most things of such high-value/high-demand, there will always be counterfeiters. The Swiss government, the World Intellectual Property Organization and the World Trade Organization work very hard to protect the brand. Additionally, for a watch to bear the “Swiss Made” insignia, it legally must be at least 50% produced in Switzerland. This means that a minimum of the watch inner case, the movement and the dials have to be of direct Swiss origin, and the final inspection must be done in Switzerland.
Endless Variety
With that little caveat out of the way, take a little time to discover the different models of Swiss military watches. Different varieties include: The Grenadier GMT (Heer), the International Special Forces wrist-watch, a number of limited series pieces, and the Luftwaffe editions—which include the Air Force 1 special edition, and the Paratrooper, and the Navy Diver and Seals II editions.
A Closer Look at Some Of The Offerings
• Grenadier: This rugged, stainless steel chronograph was originally developed for the Swiss Elite Corps for use in the extreme conditions of the snowy Alps.
• Navy Diver: Used by the toughest of the tough in armies around the world, the skilled Diver’s watch is a chronograph, stainless steel watch capable of submersions deep as 660 feet.
• Argonaut: One of the most prized Swiss military chronographs available. Made from 25 jewels and submersible up-to 1000m, this watch is the very pinnacle of what a military watch should be.
• Air Force I: A timeless, enduring symbol of ruggedness and elegance, this watch is worn by the majority of the U.S. President’s Air Force One Group.
• Paratrooper: Also one of the most prized timepieces by Swiss, this military watch is encased in genuine Titanium and features the second-to-none Swiss-made Ronda calibration and a bulletproof 43.0mm case enclosure; submersible to 200 meters.
The Gift Any Outdoorsman Will Love
Those are only a very few editions of authentic Swiss military watches. However, practically any style will please even the most discerning gentleman or gentlewoman. Usually, these watches even come with their own case that looks and feels almost as good as the watch itself. Anyone would love to receive one: those in law enforcement, the Navy or Marines, Coast Guard, firefighters, thrill-seekers and just about anyone else. Give the perfect gift to anyone who loves the great outdoors—give them a quality-made, dependable Swiss-made military watch.
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The Wide Range of Swiss Military Style Watches
by on Jul.05, 2010, under Mechanical Watch, Military Watches, Sport and Dive Watches, Watches of the World
Among Switzerland’s most famous brands is the wide range of military style watches that are produced. These draw on both Switzerland’s heritage of watch making and fine craftsmanship as well as on its tradition of independence and neutrality. Switzerland’s military has long been revered across Europe and the rest of the world and it has long been the country’s guarantee against invasion by its bigger neighbors. As such Switzerland has always ensured that its citizen soldiers have been well trained in marksmanship and tactics and equipped with the finest equipment. And Switzerland’s gift to the world has been the innovation and attention to detail that goes into items such as Swiss Army knives and Swiss Army Watches.
The best-known military style watches are clearly those associated with the Swiss Army knife, which made by two Swiss companies, Victorinox and Wenger. The two companies merged a few years back, yet still operate under different names in many parts of the market. That said, both offer unsurpassed quality and reliability. Victorinox and Wenger Swiss Army watches offer a really good blend of features and price. One of my favorites is the Wenger Commando Watch. This is a really rugged and tough watch. It also has a brilliantly lit up display that makes it easy to see at night. Two other favorites of mine are the Wenger Ranger Watch and Battalion Diver Watch, which is also made by the same company. The Victorinox Swiss Army Infantry vintage watch is also a really beautiful and classic timepiece with a real old-style look.
Both Wenger and Victorinox offer a really wide range of watches so that you can usually find something to fit almost any pocket with prices starting at under $100 and going up from there.
There are however quite a few other companies that you can look at when looking to buy a Swiss Military Watch. Most people overlook firms such as Hanowa, which makes a really high quality range of watches sold under the Swiss Military brand as well as the more exclusive Swiss Eagle watch brand.
Even tougher (and more expensive) is the range of watches produced under the CX Swiss Military brand. These are some of the world’s toughest watches and have stood up to all kinds of tests including being dropped out of airplanes, blown up with high explosives and shot at with a shotgun. They survived most of these tests whereas other watches just got smashed to pieces.
If you are looking for a cheap military-style watch then you could consider Invicta. These are Swiss-made watches but they have a bit of a mixed reputation when it comes to reliability. I don’t endorse them wholeheartedly but some people swear by them. That said, you can’t say they aren’t cheap. Some Invicta military watches can be bought for under $50. And although this blog is really all about Swiss Watches, there are also some other really popular manufacturers of military watches. Citizen has an eco-drive military watch that also has a really clear face with an easily-to-read dial. It also never needs its batteries changed,
Features of a Military-Style-Watch
Apart from the obvious point that most people buy Swiss military watches because they look good, some of the better ones also have some features that provide real tactical assistance. In this I’m thinking of a watch with a dial that is easy to read and a face that is not confusing. You also want something that is self illuminating, so you can see it even in the dark, and you almost certainly want a watch that will not beep and give away your position.
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