Military Inspired Daily Wear
I’m looking to pick up a military inspired watch for daily wear not to exceed $1500. I’ve narrowed it down to these 4. Which would you choose? Or would you recommend something else?
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Gabriel
I love watches and especially the history of watches. I’m particularly interested in microbrands like Nodus, Raven and Halios, purpose-built watches like Doxa, Tudor Subs and FXD, and military era fie...
Washington, DC
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Last active: 9 hrs ago
I recommend a Marathon GSAR, or TSAR, you can still find them on sale for under $1500.
I recommend a Marathon GSAR, or TSAR, you can still find them on sale for under $1500.
That’s an excellent suggestion. Thanks!
Has to be the Captain Willard?
Has to be the Captain Willard?
I’m open to any suggestions. But I’m leaning towards the Sangin or the Willard, or the GSAR thanks to @KristianG
I’m open to any suggestions. But I’m leaning towards the Sangin or the Willard, or the GSAR thanks to @KristianG
The GSAR is amazing on an Erika's Original MN.
Or there's Luminox? Still worn by militaries around the world. Most are usually within 1k and you get tritium tube goodness, so lume all day, all night for roughly 25 years
Don't know if Elliott Brown sell in your country but they make great military watches and supply the military
I'd go for one of these two
The PVD is known as the SBS MK2. It's the only watch still issued by the British Military, issued to SBS and Royal Navy Deep divers. 300m WR. Bit of a chunky one though. 41 diameter (45 incl. Crown) 47 lug to lug 12 mm thick.
The other is a reissue of the issued watches from 1983. Same size.
Honestly at this point they should just pay me to be a CWC ambassador
Based purely on aesthetics and without looking up the specification for each watch my vote goes to the Captain Willard.
I am a Seiko fanboy and really like the Willard but I have visted 2 AD's (one was the main London boutique) to try a Willard and a few of the black series and every single watch had a misaligned bezel.
If you do pull the trigger on the Willard I would buy it in person to save hassle.
The GSAR is amazing on an Erika's Original MN.
🤩 that looks really good!!
I'd go for one of these two
The PVD is known as the SBS MK2. It's the only watch still issued by the British Military, issued to SBS and Royal Navy Deep divers. 300m WR. Bit of a chunky one though. 41 diameter (45 incl. Crown) 47 lug to lug 12 mm thick.
The other is a reissue of the issued watches from 1983. Same size.
Honestly at this point they should just pay me to be a CWC ambassador
Great recommendations. CWC was on my short list, particularly the Diver Auto. The price point when converting to USD is just a little more than I wanted to spend. But I do keep coming back to them.
I am a Seiko fanboy and really like the Willard but I have visted 2 AD's (one was the main London boutique) to try a Willard and a few of the black series and every single watch had a misaligned bezel.
If you do pull the trigger on the Willard I would buy it in person to save hassle.
Thanks for that. That’s the one thing I hear time and again about Seiko divers. I’ve got both a Doxa and a Scurfa. The bezel on each is amazing. So a misaligned bezel would be a no go for me.
That Benrus is very cool.
I'd recommend to consider Hamilton, especially the 38mm Field watch.
That Seiko is sweet! 👍
I'd recommend to consider Hamilton, especially the 38mm Field watch.
That looks great. Especially on the NATO.
I recommend a Marathon GSAR, or TSAR, you can still find them on sale for under $1500.
GSAR on OEM bracelet over the four above, any day, all day and every day.
The Captian Williard is on my list so that gets my vote! Planning on putting that on a green MN.
My 2 cents, I bought one of the first Sangin models introduced and it was a huge let down for the money. The watch was built on pure image and looks. Most of the money went into the marketing on social media. This was before I was into watches and I got got. It was close to the price you mention yet I got a NH35, a timing bezel that didn't line up or have hardly any marks on it with loads of back play, and the dial had next to zero lume. However, it was titanium and has a HEV for a 300m dive watch. Now, fair play things may be completely different, this was 6 or 7 years ago but that price for an off the shelf seiko movement still seems like alot of marketing to me. As someone who bought into the marketing and "used it" in the military doing the things they preach (jumping, shooting, obstacle courses) I can firmly say the watches are not different than any other micro brand popping in seiko movements. The quartz offering may be completely different, I have no experience with those or their warranty department, that could justify the price for some people.
The Captian Williard is on my list so that gets my vote! Planning on putting that on a green MN.
That’s a great combo!
My 2 cents, I bought one of the first Sangin models introduced and it was a huge let down for the money. The watch was built on pure image and looks. Most of the money went into the marketing on social media. This was before I was into watches and I got got. It was close to the price you mention yet I got a NH35, a timing bezel that didn't line up or have hardly any marks on it with loads of back play, and the dial had next to zero lume. However, it was titanium and has a HEV for a 300m dive watch. Now, fair play things may be completely different, this was 6 or 7 years ago but that price for an off the shelf seiko movement still seems like alot of marketing to me. As someone who bought into the marketing and "used it" in the military doing the things they preach (jumping, shooting, obstacle courses) I can firmly say the watches are not different than any other micro brand popping in seiko movements. The quartz offering may be completely different, I have no experience with those or their warranty department, that could justify the price for some people.
Wow. Ok thanks. I really appreciate your comment. I’ve been sort of on the Sangin hype train lately and I appreciate you bringing a real world perspective. I’m thinking it might be a Marathon for me or a Willard (if I can find one with out the bezel being misaligned).
Marathon all the way. Look at this Arctic version of the GSAR! 😍
Marathon all the way. Look at this Arctic version of the GSAR! 😍
That may be the winner!!!
You could get into a Marathon GSAR for your stated budget. This watch is an absolute beast.
You could get into a Marathon GSAR for your stated budget. This watch is an absolute beast.
That looks awesome! You and several others have recommended that and now I’m stalking them… trying to decide between the regular GSAR and the arctic GSAR.
I recommend a Marathon GSAR, or TSAR, you can still find them on sale for under $1500.
I second this! They still issue the GSARs to parts of the Canadian Army.
For military inspired I’d go with Tornek-Rayville. Fun history, Highly legible, and goes with a variety of straps
For military inspired I’d go with Tornek-Rayville. Fun history, Highly legible, and goes with a variety of straps
Wow. Great photos. It’s so hard to judge when you can’t see them in person. But I’ve wanted one since they were released. Your photos really bring the watch to life in the way the website does not. Thanks!