Looking for a bullet proof watch.

[tkjeeper]

Hey everyone. I'd like to treat myself to a nice watch this Christmas. Sort of my congrats to myself for 20 yrs of nonstop working, every pay going to my family, I'm sure many can relate.
I have been surfing for days trying to find a tough, milspec(whatever that means nowadays), watch that I can be happy with for many years. I'm really drawn to the MTM watch site,http://www.specialopswatch.com/, this really turns my crank, I just love the look of them. I love huge watches, solid and heavy. I'm looking in the area of $500. I know it's not a lot to some of you but it's my max. So no obvious answers like rolex submariner or Breitling please.
I would really love some first hand experience on this one, if you've had a watch for several years that's taken a beating and been good to you please pipe up! I know I could get a good old casio g-shock but I was hoping for something a little different.
I would really love to hear from all you military folk out there and what the guys are wearing in Afghanistan and Iraq and whats been tried and tested and proven. I've read some not so hot reviews re: MTM on the forums out there, as far as customer service etc. I'd love one of their watches if someone has one on here who can convince me I'd be grateful.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

I've got a Swiss Army watch, ive had it for about 9 years and its never let me down. i think the battery died a couple times but thats about it. This is my daily watch, i have a nice Pulsar for special occasions, but this watch has help up to me being a mechanic for the last 6 years.

here are some of the watches http://www.ewatches.com/SwissArmy/

and the one i have: http://www.ewatches.com/detail.asp?bo_products_variance_id=73006

 

[AshyLarry]

I have not been a watch guy, but when the time came to get one I bought the 5.11 tactical. http://www.511tactical.com/browse/H...ign/D/30100/P/1:100:10000:10900:10903/I/59245

Has a very nice digital compass, and ballistics calculator.

 

[redneckboarder]

wow i like those MTM watches

ive always heard good things about the victorinox watches, theyre similar to the MTMs in look but a bit cheaper

 

[ehall]

I hate the Swiss Army watches. I bought one when they first came out and have never been happy with it. I wear a Timex Indiglo Marathon now, gives me time and date and I can see it in the dark

 

[tkjeeper]

Yeah, I had a nice $500 swiss army several years ago, I had nothing but problems with it, fogging up, never ending. Sorry Grimm, not bad Ashy, I'll look further into it, I've checked victorinox, just not big enough for me, I want something bold, or is it gawdy, and heavy as a brick! Thanks all, please keep them coming

 

[99xjache]

I have a Casio Pro Trek pathfinder. It is a digital watch with a built in compass, barometer, altimeter and thermometer. It also tells you the current day, date, and time. The battery will never die unless you put it in a drawer for a couple of years because it has a solar rechargeable battery. The panel is integrated in the face. I use it a s tool when in the desert or mountains.

Had it for about 4 years now. great watch, never a problem. Get the titanium case and band, so much lighter and they run right around the $400 dollar mark.

Check it our here. http://www.princetonwatches.com/shop/PAW2000T-7V.asp

 

[old_man]

When I was in China, watches were the big thing. I never wear one, but I saw a nice armor plated model that even had a gps. They wanted $80 USD.

 

[FlexdXJ]

Seiko Kenetic?

 

[beakie]

I know a bunch of guys I used to serve with that had Suunto watches.
http://www.suuntowatches.com/home.jsp

I look for the same type of watch you do, and still haven't found one I really like... in the mean time my $12 Casio still tells time 1+ years later.

 

[tbburg]

I've had pretty good luck with the old design(classic?) Casio G-shock. The one with the square face, not the round face. I can't find a good pic. of one but the face looks like this:

Not the solar powered ones, they both had batteries, and were dark gray, not white.
I had two of them over 20 years. The first one got lost. I assume the band broke. The second one locked up after about 15 years. The 2 watches together consumed 3 sets of batteries, and maybe 5 bands. Don't know about Casio's claims, but I had them in 120 deg. weather(death valley with the army) and SCUBA diving to 120 feet. I think I confirmed the "shatter-resistant" face feature a few times also. Never skipped a beat. Not a pretty watch, or expensive, but you can beat the crap out of 'em.

 

[90Blue_XJ]

I have a Seiko Kinetic that I got from this place. Great prices and an awesome selection.http://www.bluedial.com/ska367.htm This is the watch I bought myself for Father's Day.

 

[SeansBlueXJ]

x2 on the Seiko Kenetic. I have a Titanium one I wear day and night, probably for 8 or 9 yrs now. My dad had gotten me a watch for Christmas when I was in high school. After 2 yrs the daily wear/ sweat/ body oils started to eat the back of the housing. He then got me this one another x-mas and said that the titanium better hold up. It has! it has a minor few crystal scratches. Besides that it owes me nothing and shows no signs of growing old soon.

I would like to get a Tag Heuer mechanical self winder one day but that's out of my budget. The lower end tags are nice too.

 

[Deadman 94 xj]

Probably a little off from what you're looking for but I've always liked the 'Shark Freestyle' watches. I had one for ~5 yrs and it still works but the band eventually broke. It's no longer listed on their site.

http://www.freestyleusa.com/products/Mens/Shark+X+2.0/

 

[tkjeeper]

interesting guys, nice pick SeansBlueXJ, that was coming up on my short list too, after further examination and closer looks the mtm had twice the good reports as bad, but seiko is a close second. I just want something that really stands out, the freestyle and victorinox are just too small. Keep em coming.

 

[SleeperXJ]

I've had a cronograph watch for a few years now and I'd never get anything else.
On that note, I kina liked this one...
http://www.specialopswatch.com/cart/products.cgi?detail=94

 

[JRW7072009]

Those Special ops watches look pretty sweet I would like to see one in person.

 

[xjtrailrider]

There is only one watch for me, SEIKO

I have had 2 watches in my 43 years of life. My first one was a SEIKO at age 7 and I just bought a new SEIKO last year identical to the one I was given for my 7th birthday. I wear my watch daily, grew up on a farm, work as a mechanic. My watch catches pure hell and keeps going. I have to replace the crystals every 2 years just so I can tell what time it is. I'm OCD about being on time for everything and my SIEKO's have never let me down.

This is the watch I'm wearing now. Its simple, light, easy to read and water proof.

http://www.princetonwatches.com/shop/SLC033.asp

 

[Chrisc321]

I have had excellent luck with the Luminox F-117 Nighthawk series model 3401

One can be had for about 300. Absolutely bulletproof. Fantastic illumination. I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone!!

 

[tkjeeper]

Chris although I had a tough time looking away from your avatar...sigh...I have looked into the luminox and it just isn't for me, thanks tho.