Perfect watch for Military Service

[Rolex_Jack]

For all you who serve, what is the perfect modern Rolex for each military service? This is just for fun, so please share your thoughts, and let us know if you are in the military or used to be. This is posted in open-discussion, so take it beyond Rolex if you choose. Here is my take (as an Air Force member):

Army: Solid Gold Datejust, Jubilee bracelet. Ok, so most military members can’t afford a solid gold Rolex, so why this watch? Because General Eisenhower was one of the greatest generals the Army has ever had, and this is what he wore. Although it may not be the best watch for field use, it could probably handle it…and it has a solid place in the history of the Army because of Eisenhower. And lastly, gold just looks so damn good with Class A’s!

Navy: Submariner Date TT Blue Dial. This watch screams Navy. It is perfect on land, sea, and under sea. An aviator, sailor or a submariner alike can wear this watch with ease, and it looks good in uniform. A date is important because God only knows what day it is after a month on the sea, and the blue and gold are classic naval colors.

Marines: Explorer 39mm. What else is there? Marines are tough, they do their job well, and they keep things simple. Just like an Explorer. They don’t need to know the date, or Zulu time, or any other extra unnecessary information. They just need something that works, and won’t let them down.

Air Force: Sky-Dweller. As an Air Force Navigator, I truly believe the watches that most optimize the Air Force are Breitlings. Rolex makes great watches for an airline pilot, but an Air Force aviator truly needs a chronograph for tactical reasons, much more than simply knowing the Zulu time or what day it is. There are a myriad of reasons in the air to start a timer. Unfortunately, the Daytona has solidified itself in car racing, and the screw down pushers just aren’t practical in the air. So, since Rolex doesn’t make a stopwatch for the wrist, a Sky-Dweller will have to do.

Coast Guard: Submariner. For many of the same reasons as the Navy, but maybe a no-date for the pure utilitarian use of it and the constant operations that the Coast Guard is involved in.

All said, as an Air Force Navigator, what do I own? A Sub-date, Datejust, 2x Breitlings, and a Bremont. When I fly, I wear the Breitlings or the Bremont. On the ground, I mix it up.

[Heff]

AD Air Force here. My daily is the Explorer II. Flies under the radar and being able to show two time zones is very useful.


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[Abdullah71601]

Ike got his gold watch when he was president, not when he was in the Army.

I think a SS sub is a perfect watch for the Army. It’s a proper tool watch for a service that spends a lot of time groveling in the mud.

[Wolfgang427]

A GMT Master would be perfect for ALL of the armed services.....IMO :)

[Kneecough]

By chance, I happen to own a Rolex previously owned by a 4 star Airforce General (nice guy and huge watch enthusiast).

It is a Hulk.

[BristolCavendish]

Wondering what Rolex models would be appropriate for ROTC, midshipmen at Annapolis, cadets at West Point et al.

Then there's the National Guard (both land and air).

Would these aforementioned/OP 'Rolex model designations' also apply to both commissioned and non-commissioned officers as well (e.g. a corporal in the U.S. Army sporting a solid gold Datejust)?

[Knappo 1307]

G-shock...

[TheVTCGuy]

When I flew Hornets in the Navy a GMT Coke was on my wrist, most of the rest of the guys in my squadron were opting for Breitlings.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

When I flew Hornets in the Navy a GMT Coke was on my wrist, most of the rest of the guys in my squadron were opting for Breitlings.

When I was jumping out of airplanes in the Army I wore a 5513. Most of the guys in my unit had either subs or Seiko’s.

[christo4]

G-shock (...or Luminox): Low cost, legible, dependable and expendable!!

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

When I was jumping out of airplanes in the Army I wore a 5513. Most of the guys in my unit had either subs or Seiko’s.

Now Abdullah, we’ve been through this. We all know that your job was cleaning the toilets on passenger aircraft, the fact that on the way out you skipped the last two steps of the ladder does not qualify you as a paratrooper

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Now Abdullah, we’ve been through this. We all know that your job was cleaning the toilets on passenger aircraft, the fact that on the way out you skipped the last two steps of the ladder does not qualify you as a paratrooper

I’m pretty sure there weren’t any toilets on the planes we rode on. More of a tube that vented outside aft of the ramp.

I rode on about 20 USAF planes before I landed in one. They weren’t as glamorous as yours, but yours couldn’t land and take off from a dirt runway either.

[joeychitwood]

This is the watch my friend in the Marine Corps Raiders wears. A Luminox 1881 BO.

[swils8610]

I’d say a G-Shock and leave the Rolex home depending on the tour of duty.


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[Torque Time]

AD AF and my daily wear is a 4 digit TT DJ on a leather strap. However, I work in aviation and Zulu time is the standard. SO, a GMT Master II is on the radar for a 2018 purchase.

[toxicavenger]

What ever they sold in the Main Exchange, which is basically G-shocks and Luminox.

[austinp]

Garmin Tactix

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[Redtele58]

I'm a retired USAF KC-135R navigator of 23 years. In nav school at Mather AFB in Sacramento, several of the nav instructors wore GMT's. I was also aware the GMT was worn by a fair amount of pilots.

I had been wanting a GMT since my last several years of college, so that was a natural choice for me to get.

When I went to the AD to finally find my long awaited watch, besides the GMT's, the AD showed me an Explorer II. Basically the same watch as a GMT, minus the rotating bezel. I looked it over a bit and realized I'd have something unique to show around the squadron.

I bought my Expy II in 1987 and it's been my go-to watch for over 30 years. It's been all over the world with me, and has shared in almost every adventure I've had.

I work now on an Air Force bombing range as a Range Control Officer, so my Expy II still comes to work with me everyday.