Swiss Military Hanowa Men’s 06-4095-04-079 Sealander Watch $135.00

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.

A Swiss Military Watch Makes the Perfect Gift

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. There are a number of cheap military watches on the market that I haven’t mentioned here but be sure to do your research first as if you end up paying a very low rate you may end up with something that is also not very good quality either.

Wenger® Men’s 72328 Battalion II Diver Swiss Watch $125.00

Wenger Battalion Diver Watch NA Wenger Mens Black Battalion Iii Diver Watch $208.12

Wenger Men’s 72325 Battalion II Diver Swiss Watch $97.94

The Wide Range of Swiss Military Style Watches

A lot of people who are active in the outdoors are looking for an analogue watch that is a step above the usual Swatch but that can also take a beating.  (Just as a side note here, you would be surprised at just how tough the ordinary $30 Swatch with the plastic strap can be – When I first took up Scuba diving 20 years ago I was amazed to see that quite a few divers including a few divemasters used ordinary Swatch watches as a dive watch even though it is not certified to handle the pressure).

The second requirement that many people have is that they don’t pay the earth. In other words they are looking for a quality watch that is better in quality and durability than a cheap Swatch but that won’t cost as much as a Rolex or a Tag. The sweet spot for many people in terms of price is about $300 to $500 for a really functional watch that still looks good and will give a lifetime of service.

I can’t think of a better candidate for the outdoor enthusiast than Wenger’s Swiss Army Raid Commando Watch. This is made by the company that was made famous for making the Swiss Army knife – a brand that has been synonymous with quality for decades, and that has since built its reputation further building a really excellent Swiss Army Watch range.

The Wenger Swiss Raid Commando takes its name from the renowned military competition in which members of the Swiss military compete in teams of four in commando type exercises. The competition is a test of fitness, toughness and military skill and pushes participants to the limit in tests of shooting, obstacle courses and deep penetration into “enemy” territory during which time the patrols will advance as much as 120km. They then follow with a “raid” such as an ambush or simulated attack.

The watch that takes its name is every bit as tough as the soldiers who compete. The watch is solid-looking and comes in a variety of styles. The looks of the military-ones with a black rubber strap just shout no-nonsense and toughness and this really tops my list of favourite Swiss military watches.

The dial is very clear and well illuminated. It has a 12-hour chronometer function (stopwatch) and it also has a tachymeter, which allows its user to measure speed over a known distance. When used by a trained and experienced navigator it can also be a useful way of measuring distance – which is helpful for night navigation.

It is waterproof down to 100 meters (330 feet), which means it can be your backup candidate as a dive watch in an emergency (though you would be better off getting something like the Battalion III Diver which is water resistant down to 200 meters or the more expensive Wenger Aquagraph which is good down to 1000 meters). The Commando is covered with a tough scratch-resistant surface which means it should stand up well to the rigors of mountaineering, hunting and other demanding outdoor sports. There are a number of other good watches out there, but in my opionion none are quite as tough as Wenger Commando Watches.

Wenger Men’s 70890 Commando Patagonian Expedition Race Chrono Watch . . . . Stainless Steel Case with Polished Black Finish . . Black Dial . . Swiss Quartz Movement . . Mineral Crystal . . Tachymeter . . Luminous Hands… $244.89

Wenger Men’s 70891 Swiss Raid Commando Chrono Series Watch Casual/Sport watch, Swiss quartz movement, Commando Swiss Raid, Black hands with green luminous accents, Luminous green markers, indices and tachymeter… $249.00

Swiss Army Raid Commando Watch

If you are in the market for one or more quality Swiss diving watches, you had better take the time to really get to know your options out there.  Diving watches are a must, it is not like you can dive without one, and if your watch dies in the deep blue, that can really ruin your trip fast so having one you can really count on being right every time is not something you can afford to be without.  Swiss watches are known for their reliability and the watches they offer are no exception to the rule.  Take a peek at the ones offered online, the internet is a great place to buy things like this, and figure out which watch suites your tastes and needs.  This is a big purchase, and likely to cost you a boatload of money (pardon the pun) in the process.

The Rolex Submariner

This is the crème dele crème of Swiss diving watches, and is by far in a way one of the very best products you can buy, period.  If you are looking for a really phenomenal gift for a husband, father, or son who loves to dive this is the gift to boot.  Trust me when I tell you, the Submariner is the watch to beat in the quality department.  The chronometer has COSC certification, it is about forty millimeters, is made of high quality steel, boasts a black, rotatable bezel, has a sapphire crystal, and a black face and dial.  The Submariner is waterproof to three hundred meters or one thousand feet, is self winding and has a flip lock bracelet.  The Submariner has been a big name in diving watches since it came out in nineteen fifty three.  The Rolex website doesn’t say how much this bad boy is going to put you back, but if you are lucky enough to receive one as a gift from say, your lovely wife, know that you are going to be rubbing her shoulders for a pretty long while.

Swiss Army Dive Watches Offered

This company runs the Dive Master 500 line in watches, and there are six in this line to choose from.  Two of the six have a stainless watch band, and the other four have a rubber strap band.  Boasting Swiss analog quartz movement, and there are two with black faces, two with white faces, and one which has a blue face, and one with an orange face.  The models in this line start at about five hundred dollars and end up at around six hundred dollars for the ones with a stainless steel band.   They, like the Citizen, feature luminescent hands for added visibility underwater and have a three year manufacturer’s warrantee, ensuring that you enjoy your watch for a long time.  They all have a screw down case back and are good for diving up to over sixteen hundred feet, or five hundred meters which is very impressive.  Swiss diving watches are a big name in diving safety, and the Swiss Army company delivers this along with so many of its other reliable products offered.

If money is really an issue for you you may also want to consider some watches made in other parts of the world such as the The Citizen Professional Diver.

This is, at least in performance capability, comparable to the Submariner.  Watertight to three hundred meters (one thousand feet) this watch will never need a battery, and will be able to gather all the energy it will ever need from light it collects.  Retail price is almost three hundred dollars, but I was able to find the watch online offered on sale for about two hundred twenty dollars or so.  The case is forty four millimeters across and is highly visible while underwater.  The bracelet is a durable black rubber band, ensuring that the diver doesn’t lose the watch while out and about under water and has a five year Citizen United States warrantee.  I also really like how the hands on this watch luminescent as you are underwater, making them easier to see in compromised light situations that you may be diving in (like at home here in the Puget Sound, at least you will be able to see you are wearing a watch).  Citizen is a great watch and has been around for a long time, it is a good name to trust.

Guest Post – Bill S

Swiss Diving Watches: Timepieces you can Trust Your Life With

Swiss military watches come in a wide range of prices and features, not to mention brands.  I think that when it comes to quallity, you can’t beat Swiss, even though there are quite a few other military style watches made by other countries such as Germany. The Swiss have made fantastic products for a very long time, and even though you can buy a great many cheaper watches out there, the Swiss military watch still reigns supreme. Take a quick look at where to buy them, and how much you should pay, as well as some really special reasons for owning one in the first place as well as where to find more Wenger watch reviews.

Why a Swiss Military Watch?

Wenger Swiss watches run like, well, clock work.  You can’t beat the price, and they last forever.  They never lose their ability to keep time, and are immune to an insane amount of damage, taking punishment over the years you would not believe possible, for example, I had mine slammed between  a truck and a twelve hundred pound horse, with me in it no less.  Trashed the cell phone in my pocket, put a dent in the truck, knocked the wind out of me, but didn’t even crack the face on the watch.  That is why you want a Swiss military watch; they last longer than almost anything.  And mine isn’t an unusual story, you will find tons of similar stories posted all over theInternet.

Where to Find the Best Deal on the Best Watch?

You can find Wenger Swiss military watches all over the Internet, as well as many fine department stores, and I have even seen them offered at Costco for a really great price, so finding a good buy isn’t really that hard.  I think the best place to find them though is online, and whereas it is true you don’t get to “feel” the product, most companies guarantee that you will like the product and so will take it back should you not like it once you get it home.  EBay is a great place to start; they will have both new and used watches for you to peruse.  Amazon.com is another great site to shop, and I was surprised at how many products they were offering, and also how good the prices were.

What Company is the Best?

There are quite a few good companies out there, but I like Wenger the best, makers of the original Swiss Army Knife.  That is the particular watch that got slammed into my truck the day a client’s ornery horse decided to take us down, and it is still working today.  They are easy to read, affordable, and hold up to an impressive amount of moisture and wear.  I have never heard of one wearing out, come to think of it, and buying one means you never have to get a new watch.  Ever. That said there are some other brilliant Swiss army watches out there, Hanowa also makes a range of great Swiss Military Watches that are widely praised for toughness and reliability.

Among the toughest watches in the world are the CX Swiss Military Watches from Montres Charmex. Their 20000 feet watch is waterproof down to 7,500 meters and holds the current world diving record. They also equip a number of special forces as well as paramilitary forces including the SWAT Team in Cologne, Germany as well as the Close Protection Team (CPU) working with the United Nations in Kosovo.  How tough are these watches? One was thrown out of an aircraft flying at a hight of 1,500 meters (about 4,500 feet) by a German Special Forces parachutist. The watch survived!

Occasions to Consider a Swiss Military Watch

My husband received one from his parents when he graduated from high school, one from my parent’s when he graduated from university, and one from way back when he was in cub scouts.  They all still work perfectly!  The gift is best given to a young man I think, at his wedding, that would be a good time to give a young man a watch like this (and a little funny too, if you think about it) and these also make a really thoughtful retirement gift for someone you care about.  Young boys think these are the very coolest gifts, they will stare at them, completely enamored for a long time, the gift makes them feel important and big, two things boys love to emulate.  We gave each of my nephews a Swiss Military Watch when they started scouts, and they just loved theirs, it is one of their few true treasures.

This Wenger watch review was a guest post by Natasha D. A great place to read more reviews is on Amazon.com, where many of these watches are available. You can &Read more here

Owning a Wenger Swiss Military Watch: A guest review