Jetdrvr, I have worn a stainless GMT for over 30 years in many backwater shitholes for exactly the reasons you said. I have had many people ask why you need a Rolex when a Timex will tell the time just as accurately. I tell them "Bribe your way out of trouble in the third world with a Timex and see what it gets you, probably just preferred seating in the hoosegow.

Yeah when I was on active duty, you werent SF if you didnt have a Rolex Submariner and mirrored sunglasses. I had a Omega Speedmaster (manual) that drove me crazy for awhile since I was used to an automatic and kept forgetting to wind it until I noticed it stopped.

I bought my GMT in Saudi Arabia. I was looking for a Submariner but couldnt find one. Then I saw the GMT and though "Holy Crap", thats the one from Magnum PI! The dual time zone feature made calls home from deployments easier. My first wife freaked out that I was soooo irresponsible and bought a Rolex, apparently her fooling around while I was gone was OK.....

Twenty some years of almost constant wear and I finally switched to a Marathon JSAR. I never realized how nice it is to always have the RIGHT time. My Rolex was good but the quartz JSAR is damn near perfect always.

Timex Expedition here. $28.95 at Walmart, 10yr battery guarantee, quartz accuracy, totally shockproof, Indiglo feature for telling time in the dark. Its even submersible to 50 meters, which is enough for me, since that means it either fell overboard or I have drowned while out feeding the seals! I mean for what you guys are spending on watches, I could buy me another Sabatti!

quote:

Originally posted by Dago Red:
I am a lover of fine watches but have never had my one. That's a lot of money and I'm not at that place yet. There are many I'd like to have but I figure for enduring value, service etc. my first will be the Rolex dive watch with gold and steel band, nothing fancy, but a good watch that can last me rest of my life. I plan to wear it everywhere for everything.

Red

Red

When I was in the Navy back in 1974 I purchased a new Rolex Submariner with the date through the Navy Exchange for $800. Three years later when I got out of the Navy I was broke so I sold my Volvo car and my Rolex watch. I think I got $500 for the watch.

And I have regretted it ever since, even though my Timex keeps good time!

I haven't shot big bores with it, but Ive chopped wood and done many other similar activities and it keeps on ticking.

Try RENATO T-REX...

Respects,

Phill

My Citizen Eco-Drive has withstood hundreds of .416 Rem Mag shots. No problems yet...

I have worn a Rolex datejust in SST for 24 years (engagement present from my wife). Have shot thousands of rounds of sporting clays and hundreds of rounds through my .375 and 450NE and never missed a beat. It has it quirks, it will run 2 minutes slow ( no more, no less ) I will leave it to my children / grandchildren when I am gone. Have had other watches but this one is almost like an old friend.

HAha, A LOT of huff and puff on here about SEALS and SF... I'm am in the military, in a special operations unit, and overseas as I right this. I wear a damn Timex field watch. IT has hands that work and everything. After my first trip some of my friends bought me one of those MTM rigs... the minute hand fell off inside the dial within a month and the rest shortly there after. I've had the G-Shocks too but they are too bulky for my liking and hang on stuff or get stuff hung in them . I know many guys that wear both Luminox and G Shock... I would go with luminox if and when I do it again. hope this helps

I have never felt the need certain civilized techknowledgy while hunting, I guess a watch being one of them..I think I have an old Timex in my overnight kit, and an alarm clock that I have yet to use...I just don't care what day it is or what time it is, and my cell phone is OFF.

Used to wear a bulky watch with SF, it could be a real PITA but it had good luminous hands which in water ops at night were easy to see.

Now I don't wear any watch and haven't done for quite a few years.

.

quote:

Originally posted by just-a-hunter:
This is the first thread in almost 5 years of AR membership that made me feel like a broke low life....

I can't wait till I win that damn lottery......

Todd

+1 lol ... I finally upgraded to a $100 Wenger watch from my $29 Target specials ...

I'll admit to being a bit of a watch snob. I like nice watches; but I dont wear much or any other jewelry.

Id like to find a NICE pocket watch. Ive looked at some antique ones; but I want one for daily use. The new made pocket watches all seem to be junk.

I bought a Luminox watch in 2006 while I was in Iraq. I was able to read notes in pitch black darkness from the glow of the dial. I wore during the three years I was there and still wear it today. It's a good watch.

Here is a watch question.

Recommend me one that has the day of the week, the day of the month, has hands, and is not electric. ie no batteries.

Why do I want the day of the week, because I am retired, and I never know what the day of the week is.

Also make it affordable.

I used to have a Rolex. I liked it, but I sold it because I kept breaking the band fighting some of our fine citizens.

For my last trip to Africa I bought a Casio Forrester. It has a Nylon web band and is comfortable to wear when it is hot or when I was on my below zero snow mobile hunt.When you press a button the whole dial lights up and I can tell what time it is without my reading glasses.
It has been a real good cheap watch.

But I would like one described as above.

I wear a G Shock. Never had a problem in over 5 years now. But when I land in Africa, I take it off and ask that no one remind me what day it is. Unfortunately, I've never been able to stop counting the days however!

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Here is a watch question.

Recommend me one that has the day of the week, the day of the month, has hands, and is not electric. ie no batteries.

Why do I want the day of the week, because I am retired, and I never know what the day of the week is.

Also make it affordable.

I used to have a Rolex. I liked it, but I sold it because I kept breaking the band fighting some of our fine citizens.

For my last trip to Africa I bought a Casio Forrester. It has a Nylon web band and is comfortable to wear when it is hot or when I was on my below zero snow mobile hunt.When you press a button the whole dial lights up and I can tell what time it is without my reading glasses.
It has been a real good cheap watch.

But I would like one described as above.

The best value out there, by a long shot, are the Orient watches. They are automatic, keep exceptional time for an automatic, cost under $200, look great and wear well. I have alot of watches, too many watches, but the Orient is what I wear 90% of the time. The Mako XL fits your spec perfectly:

http://orientwatchusa.com/mens...er-watches/cem75002d

When you check out use the promo code executive50 and it knocks 50% off the price. If that code does not work, do a search there are other 40-50% discount codes out there. If you pay more than $200, you paid too much. My personal favorite is the blue face version. Check them out.

Seiko Black Monster:

or Seiko Orange Monster:

About $150, and stout as hell. The metal bracelet is as comfortable as the ones on my Rolexes.

George

Now here's a big bore watch:

GeorgeS hit the nail on the head: Seiko Monsters are the gold standard in the category you are talking about. MJines mentioned Orient Watch. I'd also suggest you look at Deep Blue. I don't have any personal experience with them, but I've seen positive comments.

LWD