A new duty watch,

[Mason McDuffie]

Well it has come time for me to retire my faithful Casio. Got me through my last few years in the military and through the academy but has finally crapped out. I turn to you guys/gals to tell me which watches you have put to the test and continues to keep ticking.

I'm looking for the basics of course. Water resistant/proof(?), depth, shock resistant (getting hit by objects/fists as opposed to just falling off the night stand), back light, subdued coloring, day/date, digital compass is a must, and a ballistic calc would be nice but not a deal breaker.

Any help pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

[Samuelx]

How much do you want to spend? I have partners that wear Rolexes and Omegas at work and I have partners that wear $5 swapmeet specials. Lately, I've been rotating between a Luminox and a Traser - I've got plenty of other watches (cause I'm stupid like that) and it won't kill me if either one breaks/gets lost/etc.

Almost all of my recent purchases have been of the solar and atomic variety - Citizens and Casios primarily...

If you're not into the swapmeet specials and want to find some decent watches, you can find good deals all over the internet. Personally, I make the mistake of repeatedly perusing the classified sections here:

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/

http://www.thewatchsite.com/index.php/board,11.0.html?PHPSESSID=c31bd77ce712d866cc287479445f04ce

caveat emptor and all that...

[barca101]

I would rcommend the Casio G-Shock to the more expensive Casio Pathfinder. I aways alternate between the two, but the Pathfinder is always on my wrist.

[1911su16b870]

My Luminox keeps time really well, have had it for 8 years, gone through two batteries and one bezel. The tritium vials are nice for night patrol.

Just picked up a G-Shock Illuminator, leds turn on showing you the time when you turn your wrist. Been wearing it for a few days now...results are not in yet.

[Blademan21]

I second the Casio Pathfinder. Costco had them a while back for $70.00 .

[tonelar]

Seiko Diver Auto / Explorer face and Sword hands.

MkII swapped the face and hands for me.

[mix0351]

the sunto is a great watch. i have had mine for 3 years and it has lasted me 2 deployments through iraq and all i have done is changed the battery when it gets low.

[Mason McDuffie]

Samuelx- I have already prepared the lil lady and she gave me the go ahead to spend around $250. A Rolex/Omega on duty? Wow. I will check out those links for sure amigo. Thank you.

barca- That pathfinder looks pretty sweet. My initial search is showing some very positive reviews. Thanks for the recommendation.

1911- It lights up when you turn your wrist? Its little features like that which make that kid inside me say pick that one haha.

[Recession]

[BoJackUSMC]

+1 for Luminox
I believe even Navy SEALs use Luminox for their watch. Little expensive, but I think its worth every penny.

[1911su16b870]

Here is the one I just picked up...



You press the top right button which lights the watch up and hold it for 1.5 seconds and now when you turn your wrist 90-degrees it lights up the display. It auto-turns off so you can save some battery.

During low light training, one of my instructors said my Luminox was target indicating! At least you can turn off the Casio's light up feature by holding that same button down for another 1.5 seconds.

[BoJackUSMC]

anyone here ever used 5.11 tactical field op watch??
I am also looking for a watch that comes with digital compass system.
Also, is it easy to operate? how fast can user switch digital time to digital compass?
thank you

[JOEKILLA]

This,




Casio Protrek Tough Solar Triple Sensor PRG-130Y-1DR

Features:
Electro-luminescent backlight
Full auto EL light, afterglow
Solar powered
Low-temperature resistant (-10 C/14 F)
Moon Data Function
Tide Graph Function

Digital compass
Measures and displays direction as one of 16 points
Measuring range: 0 to 359
Measuring unit: 1
20 seconds continuous measurement
Graphic direction pointer
Bidirectional calibration and northerly calibration function
Magnetic declination correction

Altimeter
Measuring range: -700 to 10,000 m (-2,300 to 32,800 ft.)
Measuring unit: 5 m (20 ft.)
Manual memory measurements
(up to 24 records, each including altitude, month, date, time)
High Altitude memory
Others: Reference altitude setting, Altitude tendency graph
*Changeover between meters (m) and feet (ft)

Barometer
Display range: 260 to 1,100 hPa (7.65 to 32.45 inHg)
Display unit: 1 hPa (0.05 inHg)
Atmospheric pressure tendency graph
Atmospheric pressure differential graphic
*Changeover between hPa and inHg

Thermometer
Display range: -10 to 60C (14 to 140 F)
Display unit: 0.1 C (0.2 F)
*Changeover between Celsius (C) and Fahrenheit (F)

1/100 Sec Stopwatch : 23:59'59.99''
Measuring mode: Elapsed time, split time, 1st-2nd place times
Countdown timer : 1 sec to 60 minutesWorld time
29 time zones (33 cities), city code display, daylight saving on/off
Moon data (moon age of the input data, moon phase graph)
Daily alarms - 5 independent daily alarms
Hourly time signal
Battery level indicator
Power save function

Full auto-calendar (to year 2099)
12/24-hour format

Size of case :56.2 X 50.6 X 13.9 mm
Weight : 78 g

[Mister BLASTEE]

Try checking out Lum Tec. Lots of sexy watches!

[Blademan21]

This,




Casio Protrek Tough Solar Triple Sensor PRG-130Y-1DR

Features:
Electro-luminescent backlight
Full auto EL light, afterglow
Solar powered
Low-temperature resistant (-10 C/14 F)
Moon Data Function
Tide Graph Function

Digital compass
Measures and displays direction as one of 16 points
Measuring range: 0 to 359
Measuring unit: 1
20 seconds continuous measurement
Graphic direction pointer
Bidirectional calibration and northerly calibration function
Magnetic declination correction

Altimeter
Measuring range: -700 to 10,000 m (-2,300 to 32,800 ft.)
Measuring unit: 5 m (20 ft.)
Manual memory measurements
(up to 24 records, each including altitude, month, date, time)
High Altitude memory
Others: Reference altitude setting, Altitude tendency graph
*Changeover between meters (m) and feet (ft)

Barometer
Display range: 260 to 1,100 hPa (7.65 to 32.45 inHg)
Display unit: 1 hPa (0.05 inHg)
Atmospheric pressure tendency graph
Atmospheric pressure differential graphic
*Changeover between hPa and inHg

Thermometer
Display range: -10 to 60C (14 to 140 F)
Display unit: 0.1 C (0.2 F)
*Changeover between Celsius (C) and Fahrenheit (F)

1/100 Sec Stopwatch : 23:59'59.99''
Measuring mode: Elapsed time, split time, 1st-2nd place times
Countdown timer : 1 sec to 60 minutesWorld time
29 time zones (33 cities), city code display, daylight saving on/off
Moon data (moon age of the input data, moon phase graph)
Daily alarms - 5 independent daily alarms
Hourly time signal
Battery level indicator
Power save function

Full auto-calendar (to year 2099)
12/24-hour format

Size of case :56.2 X 50.6 X 13.9 mm
Weight : 78 g

Sweet....and I have a Birthday in March