Watches of Militaries Around the World
Military forces around the world have relied on various wristwatches over the years for their precision, durability, and reliability. Here are some of the most famous watches used by the military, along with the specific military branches or units that used them:
### 1. **Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical**
- **Military**: U.S. Army
- **Watch Details**: The Hamilton Khaki Field is known for its robust construction and clear, easily readable dial. It was standard issue for U.S. Army soldiers during World War II and continues to be a popular choice among military personnel.
### 2. **Rolex Submariner**
- **Military**: British Royal Navy
- **Watch Details**: The Rolex Submariner, particularly the reference 5513, was issued to British Royal Navy divers in the 1960s and 1970s. Known for its exceptional water resistance and durability, it became a trusted tool for underwater missions.
### 3. **Omega Seamaster 300**
- **Military**: British Royal Navy, Special Boat Service (SBS)
- **Watch Details**: The Omega Seamaster 300 was issued to the British Royal Navy and SBS divers in the 1960s. Its robust build and clear dial made it ideal for underwater operations.
### 4. **Seiko 6105**
- **Military**: U.S. Navy, U.S. Army
- **Watch Details**: The Seiko 6105 was widely used by U.S. military personnel during the Vietnam War. Its robust construction and reliable movement made it a favorite among soldiers.
### 5. **Benrus Type I and II**
- **Military**: U.S. Navy, U.S. Special Forces
- **Watch Details**: The Benrus Type I and II were issued to U.S. Navy divers and Special Forces in the 1970s. These watches were known for their durability, water resistance, and clear, no-nonsense design.
### 6. **Marathon G-SAR (Government Search and Rescue)**
- **Military**: Canadian Armed Forces, U.S. Marine Corps
- **Watch Details**: The Marathon G-SAR is built to military specifications and is used by Canadian and U.S. military personnel. It features a robust stainless steel case, tritium gas tubes for illumination, and high water resistance.
### 7. **CWC (Cabot Watch Company) G10**
- **Military**: British Ministry of Defence (MOD)
- **Watch Details**: The CWC G10 has been standard issue for the British MOD since 1980. It is known for its durability, accuracy, and simplicity, making it ideal for military use.
### 8. **Luminox Navy SEAL**
- **Military**: U.S. Navy SEALs
- **Watch Details**: The Luminox Navy SEAL watch was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Navy SEALs. It is known for its rugged construction, reliable movement, and excellent night-time visibility due to its tritium gas tube illumination.
### 9. **Panerai Radiomir and Luminor**
- **Military**: Italian Navy (Regia Marina)
- **Watch Details**: Panerai watches, specifically the Radiomir and Luminor models, were used by Italian Navy divers during World War II. These watches were renowned for their large, luminous dials and robust construction.
### 10. **Oris Big Crown**
- **Military**: British Royal Air Force (RAF)
- **Watch Details**: The Oris Big Crown was originally designed for pilots and was used by the RAF. Its oversized crown allowed pilots to operate the watch while wearing gloves.
### 11. **Timex Ironman**
- **Military**: U.S. Armed Forces
- **Watch Details**: The Timex Ironman is popular among U.S. military personnel for its durability, affordability, and reliable performance in various conditions.
### 12. **Casio G-Shock DW-5600**
- **Military**: Various military forces worldwide
- **Watch Details**: The Casio G-Shock series, particularly the DW-5600, is known for its extreme durability and shock resistance, making it a favorite among military personnel globally.
### 13. **Sinn EZM 1**
- **Military**: German Federal Police (GSG 9)
- **Watch Details**: The Sinn EZM 1 was developed for the German Federal Police's elite counter-terrorism unit, GSG 9. It is known for its robust construction and legibility under extreme conditions.
### 14. **IWC Mark XI**
- **Military**: British Royal Air Force (RAF)
- **Watch Details**: The IWC Mark XI was issued to RAF pilots starting in 1948. Its precision and reliability made it a trusted tool for navigational purposes.
### 15. **Tudor Pelagos FXD**
- **Military**: French Navy (Marine Nationale)
- **Watch Details**: The Tudor Pelagos FXD was developed in collaboration with the French Navy, featuring fixed strap bars and a robust, tool-like design suitable for underwater operations.
These watches are not only symbols of military heritage but also embody the qualities of precision, durability, and reliability required by soldiers, sailors, and pilots in demanding environments.
### 1. **Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical**
- **Military**: U.S. Army
- **Watch Details**: The Hamilton Khaki Field is known for its robust construction and clear, easily readable dial. It was standard issue for U.S. Army soldiers during World War II and continues to be a popular choice among military personnel.
### 2. **Rolex Submariner**
- **Military**: British Royal Navy
- **Watch Details**: The Rolex Submariner, particularly the reference 5513, was issued to British Royal Navy divers in the 1960s and 1970s. Known for its exceptional water resistance and durability, it became a trusted tool for underwater missions.
### 3. **Omega Seamaster 300**
- **Military**: British Royal Navy, Special Boat Service (SBS)
- **Watch Details**: The Omega Seamaster 300 was issued to the British Royal Navy and SBS divers in the 1960s. Its robust build and clear dial made it ideal for underwater operations.
### 4. **Seiko 6105**
- **Military**: U.S. Navy, U.S. Army
- **Watch Details**: The Seiko 6105 was widely used by U.S. military personnel during the Vietnam War. Its robust construction and reliable movement made it a favorite among soldiers.
### 5. **Benrus Type I and II**
- **Military**: U.S. Navy, U.S. Special Forces
- **Watch Details**: The Benrus Type I and II were issued to U.S. Navy divers and Special Forces in the 1970s. These watches were known for their durability, water resistance, and clear, no-nonsense design.
### 6. **Marathon G-SAR (Government Search and Rescue)**
- **Military**: Canadian Armed Forces, U.S. Marine Corps
- **Watch Details**: The Marathon G-SAR is built to military specifications and is used by Canadian and U.S. military personnel. It features a robust stainless steel case, tritium gas tubes for illumination, and high water resistance.
### 7. **CWC (Cabot Watch Company) G10**
- **Military**: British Ministry of Defence (MOD)
- **Watch Details**: The CWC G10 has been standard issue for the British MOD since 1980. It is known for its durability, accuracy, and simplicity, making it ideal for military use.
### 8. **Luminox Navy SEAL**
- **Military**: U.S. Navy SEALs
- **Watch Details**: The Luminox Navy SEAL watch was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Navy SEALs. It is known for its rugged construction, reliable movement, and excellent night-time visibility due to its tritium gas tube illumination.
### 9. **Panerai Radiomir and Luminor**
- **Military**: Italian Navy (Regia Marina)
- **Watch Details**: Panerai watches, specifically the Radiomir and Luminor models, were used by Italian Navy divers during World War II. These watches were renowned for their large, luminous dials and robust construction.
### 10. **Oris Big Crown**
- **Military**: British Royal Air Force (RAF)
- **Watch Details**: The Oris Big Crown was originally designed for pilots and was used by the RAF. Its oversized crown allowed pilots to operate the watch while wearing gloves.
### 11. **Timex Ironman**
- **Military**: U.S. Armed Forces
- **Watch Details**: The Timex Ironman is popular among U.S. military personnel for its durability, affordability, and reliable performance in various conditions.
### 12. **Casio G-Shock DW-5600**
- **Military**: Various military forces worldwide
- **Watch Details**: The Casio G-Shock series, particularly the DW-5600, is known for its extreme durability and shock resistance, making it a favorite among military personnel globally.
### 13. **Sinn EZM 1**
- **Military**: German Federal Police (GSG 9)
- **Watch Details**: The Sinn EZM 1 was developed for the German Federal Police's elite counter-terrorism unit, GSG 9. It is known for its robust construction and legibility under extreme conditions.
### 14. **IWC Mark XI**
- **Military**: British Royal Air Force (RAF)
- **Watch Details**: The IWC Mark XI was issued to RAF pilots starting in 1948. Its precision and reliability made it a trusted tool for navigational purposes.
### 15. **Tudor Pelagos FXD**
- **Military**: French Navy (Marine Nationale)
- **Watch Details**: The Tudor Pelagos FXD was developed in collaboration with the French Navy, featuring fixed strap bars and a robust, tool-like design suitable for underwater operations.
These watches are not only symbols of military heritage but also embody the qualities of precision, durability, and reliability required by soldiers, sailors, and pilots in demanding environments.