The Evolution of the Military Field Watch
I’ve included in my collection a pretty interesting range of 3 field watches issued / used by the military. Each separated by about 40 years, they show a clear development in technology and capability.
The oldest of the group is this Ebel A.T.P, issued in the early stages of the Second World War.
The 32mm case houses a white dial with a sub seconds register and a rail road minute track alongside clear and bold numerals. The cathedral hour hand and syringe minute hand are generously lumed with radium. It uses a manually wound Cal. 99 movement (Aurore-Villeret Cal. 232 derived) with architecture that’s quite old school in appearance.
Following a number of models and design iterations, in 1984 this CWC G10 was issued soon after the Falklands War.
The clearest differences here are the progression from the use of a mechanical movement to the centre seconds Quartz ETA 555.411 and the switch to tritium lume. Visually, it is also notable that the case has increased in size to 36mm and the dial has been made black to increase legibility. The dial does, however, retain the rail road minute track and bold numerals which remain staples of military watches.
Finally, modern servicemen are increasingly sourcing their watches privately, some opting for the Casio G-Shock. I have chosen the GW-M5610 which, with its 43.5mm case, dwarfs the pieces of the previous century. The digital display is arguably more legible, and its construction allows it to be effectively indestructible – the same cannot be said for its older counterparts. It may not be the prettiest, but it is just about as perfectly suited as a military timepiece can be!
Let me know your thoughts / which you’d rather strap on the wrist!
Mechanical Engineer with a love for new and vintage watches, particularly those issued to the British Military
I prefer the Ebel with its cool and classic hour marker typeface/font.
I absolutely love the Ebel. 😍
It feels a bit like picking a favourite child but if I could only save one I think I'd go the same way and take the Ebel
I’d take all 3 🥳
That Ebel is my favorite but if i was going into the field i would take the g-shock.
The Ebel is lovely, I'd like a CWC myself, the G-Shock is as unappealing as a smartwatch (tho I can understand why it's the modern military choice)
Straying away from the other responses, I'll go in reverse order. G shock first then CWC and last the Evel!
I cannot see how the military would want to have soldiers wear a watch that can beep at them.
Can you imagine a group of soldiers hiding to ambush another force and one of the guy in hiding forgot to turn off the beep function from his G-Shock as the opposing force gets close to them and it starts beeping.
I cannot see how the military would want to have soldiers wear a watch that can beep at them.
Can you imagine a group of soldiers hiding to ambush another force and one of the guy in hiding forgot to turn off the beep function from his G-Shock as the opposing force gets close to them and it starts beeping.
Haha, sounds like a modern take on dad's army 😂 If you're close enough for that to be heard by an enemy force and it cause a problem, I'd speculate you're probably well trained enough to turn it off! Most people in forces haven't got their ninja training as far as I'm aware
I cannot see how the military would want to have soldiers wear a watch that can beep at them.
Can you imagine a group of soldiers hiding to ambush another force and one of the guy in hiding forgot to turn off the beep function from his G-Shock as the opposing force gets close to them and it starts beeping.
You make a good point, When on exercise or ops I would make a point (If on stag or patrol) of going silent routine around the hour mark and on one occasion one of my own guys' watch beeped right next to me, to be honest even at night the sound doesn't travel far, that said I still told him to turn that fucking thing off.
This is the watch I used back in the day, The DW-240, I bought it in 1989 (I think), after the "sea canoe incident"😬
The G-Shock was still quite rare then and waaay more expensive, and didn't seem to offer much more for the money.
The backlight is on a par with the F-91 but it is totally legible at night when your eyes are adjusted to the dark.
I've still got it and wear it when damage is likely 😉
Cool #gshock
They all are awsome watches each one has its own distinctive of military vibe.
That NATO works so well on the G Shock 👌