Humble, Battle-Tested Timex Expedition
If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re late, you’re screwed. - Old Army Proverb
Vetbros know that saying is usually more profanity-laden, but you get the idea. Time is a crucial and prudent factor in the military. From being on time to morning PT to carrying out synchronized operations in theater. Heck, even the lousy formation at 1300 (shoutout to my boys in E-4 Mafia) to police cigarette butts in the headquarters parking lot. Definitely don’t wanna be late for that one! Well, not again, anyway…
I bought this a few weeks before deploying, around the mid-aughts. I needed a replacement watch for the field and the PX didn’t have any G-Shocks I liked, so I decided to take a chance on this digital Timex Expedition. It held its own and survived a lot during my adventures in Mesopotamialand.
When I returned home I gave it to my dad. He wore it for a while before he got something else. Then it lived in a box for around a decade. A few years ago I found it again while looking for something else. It was dead but a new battery brought it back to life. The Indiglo is a little faded now but It still works perfectly.
Yeah, it’s nothing special or romantic like a Hamilton field, or one of the Dirty Dozen. It’s what I had, though, and it did it’s job. I’ll always have a special little place in my heart for Timex.
Just an easygoing dude. Among many other interests, I’m an enthusiast of watches and their history. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. ΙΧΘΥΣ
Kalsota, thank you for this post. As I read it, I could feel the connection you have to the Expedition and what I assume are some of the most significant memories and experiences of your life. The photographs are amazing. These types of posts are my favorites -- ones that describe how a watch can be at the intersection of so many events in a life for decades.
Fantastic photos, this is the kind of thing I’m after 🙏🏼
Kalsota, thank you for this post. As I read it, I could feel the connection you have to the Expedition and what I assume are some of the most significant memories and experiences of your life. The photographs are amazing. These types of posts are my favorites -- ones that describe how a watch can be at the intersection of so many events in a life for decades.
Thanks for the kind words, man!
Yeah, it’s definitely got some memories from a very wild time in my life attached to it.
I try to take decent photos That’s the best I can do with an iPhone. One day soon I think I’ll get a real camera again.
Cool watch with a cool backstory this is my timex with my old desert boots
"nothing special or romantic" On the contrary, the memories this watch must evoke for you are beyond monetary value. This is is something to treasure and pass on to your children. Thanks for posting 👍
Cool watch with a cool backstory this is my timex with my old desert boots
Thanks! That Timex looks great on green nylon. Those are some well-worn boots. They look comfortable, though!
Thanks! That Timex looks great on green nylon. Those are some well-worn boots. They look comfortable, though!
Very comfortable they have been round the world and on lots of adventures been to the top of mountains and in the sea
@Kalsota You really dated yourself with that L-shaped flashlight, Grandpa! What were the dinosaurs like?
Just kidding. Sort of.
I'm old enough that I had to actually shine boots in basic (can you imagine basic without having to ever shine boots?!), was issued DCUs for my first deployment, and I resent the VA for not awarding me a disability percentage for my exposure to AFN commercials.
I remember standing in the PX picking out my deployment watch. I watch these antique roadshow clips of the guys who were getting Rolex GMTs in the PX (must be nice) but my deployment watches are some of the most sentimental pieces of kit I've kept.
Thanks for your service, and the story. Doesn't matter the watch, the thing that counts is the memories made. 🤘🏻👊🏻🤙🏻👌🏻
@Kalsota You really dated yourself with that L-shaped flashlight, Grandpa! What were the dinosaurs like?
Just kidding. Sort of.
I'm old enough that I had to actually shine boots in basic (can you imagine basic without having to ever shine boots?!), was issued DCUs for my first deployment, and I resent the VA for not awarding me a disability percentage for my exposure to AFN commercials.
I remember standing in the PX picking out my deployment watch. I watch these antique roadshow clips of the guys who were getting Rolex GMTs in the PX (must be nice) but my deployment watches are some of the most sentimental pieces of kit I've kept.
Way back when, for us the term was Lackland Laser....😬🫣
#E-4_mafia the ones who REALLY run the military....🫣😂😆
😆 Thanks for yours!
Hey, IYKYK! The only tab I earned. But boy was the work not hard to get there!
#justshammin’ #getoneoftheprivatestodoit #outtasightouttamind #idontknowsergeant #thatsabovemypaygrade
@Kalsota You really dated yourself with that L-shaped flashlight, Grandpa! What were the dinosaurs like?
Just kidding. Sort of.
I'm old enough that I had to actually shine boots in basic (can you imagine basic without having to ever shine boots?!), was issued DCUs for my first deployment, and I resent the VA for not awarding me a disability percentage for my exposure to AFN commercials.
I remember standing in the PX picking out my deployment watch. I watch these antique roadshow clips of the guys who were getting Rolex GMTs in the PX (must be nice) but my deployment watches are some of the most sentimental pieces of kit I've kept.
Grandpa! I haven’t even broke 40 yet! Soon, though. 😆 That anglehead light was my jam. I used it a lot. And yes, I had to shine my boots.
Yeah, no kidding! I’ve seen some of those episodes. I guess that’s what I was alluding to when I said mine wasn’t really special or romantic. Just a digital Timex.
"nothing special or romantic" On the contrary, the memories this watch must evoke for you are beyond monetary value. This is is something to treasure and pass on to your children. Thanks for posting 👍
I suppose you’re right! Thank you.
Reading your story, you can tell how much the watch means to you! Cherish it. Perhaps you can pass to your children.
Fifteen minutes prior to fifteen minutes prior. If only the world could understand how real the struggle is…
Great post! I gave my deployment G-shock to my dad. It, unfortunately, disappeared sometime in the last decade. But I still have my square G from the second deployment! Love it as much as any of my other watches. It kept on time throughout the day, and pace during my ruck marches.
Fifteen minutes prior to fifteen minutes prior. If only the world could understand how real the struggle is…
Great post! I gave my deployment G-shock to my dad. It, unfortunately, disappeared sometime in the last decade. But I still have my square G from the second deployment! Love it as much as any of my other watches. It kept on time throughout the day, and pace during my ruck marches.
If only!
Thanks, I had fun taking the pictures and writing this one. That sucks you lost the first deployment watch but at least you have the second!
Wow! That is an awesome story 👏 Thank you for sharing with all of us🫡😊