Reviews by Alexander – Founder and Owner of swissdiverswatches.com
The Top 10 Best Military Watches Of All Time
Down below: the Rolex Submariner. Quite possibly the most iconic military watch of all time.
What all 10 selected watches have in common: some of them are standard equipment of today’s military forces, some were used decades ago, and some could potentially be used as military watches.
7 of them are Swiss Made divers watches, 1 is a Japanese divers watch, 1 is a Japanese sports watch, and 1 is a Russian divers watch.
Before we start, we need a proper definition of what exactly constitutes a military watch:
- Accurate movement. Might either be quartz or automatic.
- Good internal and external build quality.
- Water resistant to a minimum of 100 meters/330 feet.
- Anti-magnetic.
- Shock resistant.
- Easily readable and luminescent dial.
- Excellent steel grade (or strong exterior plastic case).
- Usability and versatility.
The list down below of the 10 most iconic or ultimate military watches isn’t a ranking at all. This article mentions the iconic timepieces neither in an ascending nor a descending order. The list is an enumeration of 10 specific timepieces that in my mind deserve to be ranked among the top 10 military watches.
Some of these watches are indeed used today by several militaries around the world. Some of them were used decades ago. And some of them are not necessarily considered to be “offial military timepieces” but may indeed have several desirable features and functions that still might make them useful.
The Top 10 Best And Most Iconic Military Watches:
The list below ranks the most iconic military watches of all time, starting with the most reputable ones and ending with the least famous ones.
- Rolex Submariner (Swiss)
- Blancpain Fifty Fathoms (Swiss)
- Omega Seamaster Ploprof (Swiss)
- Breitling Chronomat 44 (Swiss)
- Breitling Avenger II Seawolf (Swiss)
- Panerai Radiomir (Swiss/Italian)
- Panerai Luminor Marina (Swiss/Italian)
- Seiko SKX007 & SKX009 (Japanese)
- Casio G-Shock (Japanese)
- Vostok Amphibian (Russian)
The Top 10 Best Military Watches According To Affordability
The exact same 10 military watches listed above, but here they are listed according to affordability.
- Vostok Amphibian (Below $100)
- Casio G-Shock ($50 – $1,000)
- Seiko SKX007 & SKX009 ($100 – $400)
- Breitling Avenger II Seawolf ($2,500 – $4,000)
- Panerai Luminor Marina ($4,900 – $10,000)
- Breitling Chronomat 44 ($5,000 – $8,500)
- Panerai Radiomir ($5,500 – $9,000)
- Omega Seamaster Ploprof ($7,000 – $10,000)
- Blancpain Fifty Fathoms ($10,000 – $15,000)
- Rolex Submariner ($6,800 – $30,000)
Best Military Watches:
1) Rolex Submariner – a Swiss Made military watch
Category of watches: Swiss Made divers watches.
The legendary Rolex Submariner – the world’s most iconic luxury wristwatch.
Technical specifics:
- Manufacturer: Rolex.
- Case diameter: 40mm.
- Case material: 904L stainless steeel, and/or 18 carat yellow gold.
- Bracelet material: 904L stainless steel, or 18 carat yellow gold.
- Clasp: Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Rolex Glidelock extension system.
- Water resistance: 300m/1000 feet.
- Movements: Rolex in-house automatic movement 3135, with 31 jewels, 28,800 vph, 50 hour power reserve (date version) & Rolex in-house automatic movement 3130, with 31 jewels, 28,800 vph, 48 hour power reserve (non- date version).
- Precision: -2/+2 sec/day.
- Crystal: sapphire crystal glass.
- Bezel: unidirectional ceramic bezel.
The Rolex Submariner was released in 1953 and is Rolex’s very first divers watch.
The Submariner was designed for recreational diving back in the 1950s and the 1960s. Despite being the most famous and iconic luxury watch ever made to date, it was originally designed to be nothing more but a discrete and reliable tool watch used for diving.
The Submariner is usually referred to as “the mother of all divers watches”, and this shouldn’t surprise anyone since almost every single divers watch, regardless of its brand and name, has taken its design cues from the Rolex Submariner.
The Military Submariner, reference number 5517 was ordered by the British Ministry of Defense and was issued to the divers of the Royal Navy back in the 1950s. Back then, the Submariner was standard equipment of the frogmen of the British navy.
The original Submariners used by the British Royal Navy are vintage limited edition watches. The military edition of the Submariner (ref. nr 5517) were used only by the navy. They were not available for civilian use.
The modern Submariner displayed above is vastly superior to the original one from the 1950s. The original Submariner used 316L stainless steel, was water resistant down to 100 meters/330 feet and had a flimsy metal bracelet made of folded metal. The modern Submariner uses the 904L stainless steel (the best steel grade in the luxury watch industry), is water resistant down to 300 meters/1000 feet, uses solid and tapered metal bracelets with probably the best clasp in the industry.
The Submariner uses chronometer certified Rolex in-house movements 3135 (Date-version) and 3130 (No-Date version), and the Rolex’s accuracy rate is equivalent to 99.998%.
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Best Military Watches:
2) Blancpain Fifty Fathoms – a Swiss Made military watch
Category of watches: Swiss Made divers watches.
The legendary Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is the world’s very first modern divers watch.
Technical specifics:
- Manufacturer: Blancpain/Swatch Group.
- Case diameter: 45mm.
- Case material: Most commonly used materials are stainless steel, PVD stainless steel or 18 carat rose gold.
- Bracelet material: leather or canvas.
- Clasp: Deployment buckle.
- Water resistance: 300 meters/1000 feet.
- Movements: Most commonly used movements are: Blancpain in-house automatic movement 1315, with 35 jewels, 120 hour power reserve, Blancpain in-house automatic movement 25A, with 29 jewels, and Blancpain in-house automatic movement 5215, with 35 jewels, 120 hour power reserve.
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal glass.
- Bezel: Unidirectional sapphire crystal bezel.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was released slightly ahead the Rolex Submariner in the same year of 1953.
Alongside the Rolex Submariner, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is the divers watch that all other modern divers watches are modelled after. This is the “holy grail” among divers watch enthusiasts across the world. It was the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms that spearheaded the concept of the modern divers watch.
In 1953, the French navy’s “Combat Swimmers” needed a good and reliable divers watch for their operations, and the co-founders of the unit – Captain Robert “Bob” Maloubier and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud, approached, and requested the then CEO of Blancpain – Jean-Jacques Fiechter, to produce a divers watch for them. Blancpain’s CEO Jean-Jaques Fiechter accepted their challenge, and in 1953, the legendary Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, was produced.
Ever since 1953, Blancpain Fifty Fathoms has been a benchmark or reference for divers watches.
In similarity to the Rolex Submariner, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms too is anti-magnetic.
Water resistance is 300 meters/1000 feet.
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Best Military Watches:
3) Omega Seamaster Ploprof – a Swiss Made military watch
Category of watches: Swiss Made divers watches.
Omega Seamaster Ploprof is Omega’s most extreme divers watch available on the market today.
Technical specifics:
- Manufacturer: Omega/Swatch Group.
- Case diameter: 55mm x 48mm.
- Case material: 316L stainless steel.
- Bracelet material: Stainless steel mesh bracelet or rubber strap.
- Clasp: Push-button clasp.
- Water resistance: 1,200 meters/3,940 feet.
- Movements: Omega Co-Axial in-house automatic movement 8500, with 39 jewels, 25,200 vph, and a 60 hour power reserve, and Omega Co-Axial in-house automatic movement 8912.
- Precision: -1/+5 sec/day.
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal glass.
- Bezel: Bidirectional bezel. You need to push down the orange colored peg on the right side of the case, in order to turn the bezel clockwise and/or counterclockwise
“PLOPROF” is derived from Plongeur Professionnel. Plongeur Professionnel means Professional Diver in French.
In 1970, the legendary French naval officer, Commander, oceanographer, scientist, photographer and movie maker Jacques Cousteau requested a divers watch. Omega created the Seamaster 600 – Plongeur Professionnel (PLOPROF). That year, this watch won the record for deep-sea diving – another accomplishment of the Omega brand.
With a water resistance of 1,200 meters/3,940 feet, the Omega Seamaster Ploprof is the most extreme divers watch that Omega can offer you today.
The basic movement of the Omega Ploprof is the Omega Co-Axial 8500 movement, which is highly accurate and within the chronometer requirements, and is indeed anti-magnetic.
Being an extreme divers watch, of quite massive proportions, built in stainless steel, this watch is primarily meant to be a tool watch or a professional divers watch.
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Best Military Watches:
4) Breitling Chronomat 44 – a Swiss Made military watch
Category of watches: Swiss Made combined pilot & divers watches.
The video down below is the property of watchuwant.com.
Breitling Chronomat 44 – Master of the Heavens and Master of the Seas.
Technical specifics:
- Manufacturer: Breitling.
- Case diameter: 44mm.
- Case material: 316L stainless steel, and/or 18 carat rose gold.
- Bracelet material: Most commonly used materials are: 316L stainless steel bracelet, 18 carat rose gold bracelet, combined 18 carat rose gold and 316L stainless steel bracelet, leather straps (crocodile or calf), and rubber strap.
- Clasp: Fold-over clasp with safety, or deployment buckle.
- Water resistance: GMT version: 200 meters/660 feet. Non-GMT version: depending on the model – either 100 meters/330 feet, or 500 meters//1,650 feet.
- Movements: Breitling in-house automatic movement B01 (chronograph), with 47 jewels, 28,800 vph, and a 70 hour power reserve, and Breitling in-house automatic movement B04 (GMT movement & chronograph), with 47 jewels, 28,800 vph, and a 70 hour power reserve.
- Precision: COSC certified, and within COSC requirements (-4/+6 sec/day).
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal glass
- Bezel: GMT bezel is bidirectional, and non-GMT (ordinary) bezel is unidirectional. Bezel material is either 316L stainless steel or 18 carat gold.
- Functions: chronograph, or combined GMT chronograph.
Breitling Chronomat – the flagship of Breitling
In a true Chronomat tradition, the Breitling Chronomat 44 is a 316L stainless steel chronograph watch, which is both a pilot watch and a divers watch all in one.
Breitling Chronomat, alongside the Breitling Navitimer, is the flagship of Breitling – the pride and crown jewel of the brand. It’s the Chronomat Collection that ultimately defines Breitling as a brand.
There aren’t many watches on the market today that are chronographs, chronometers (chronometer certified watches), combined pilot watches and divers watches, and on top of that offer you a few models equipped with a GMT function, which allows you to keep time in a 2nd time zone.
The chronograph version without the GMT (without a 2nd time zone feature) has a water resistance of 500 meters/1,650 feet.
The GMT version offers you a water resistance of 200 meters/660 feet.
In 2009, Breitling produced and released their very first in-house made mechanical/automatic chronograph movements. The Chronomat Collection is special for two reasons: it employs Breitling’s in-house made movements, and it’s a combined pilot watch and divers watch.
Breitling typically makes sporty looking, large, hefty, masculine professional tool watches with an instrumental look to them, and the Breitling Chronomat is the very embodiment of Breitling’s philosophy and approach to watchmaking.
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Best Military Watches:
5) Breitling Avenger II Seawolf – a Swiss Made military watch
Category of watches: Swiss Made divers watches.
Breitling Avenger II Seawolf – Breitling’s most extreme divers watch.
Technical specifics:
- Manufacturer: Breitling.
- Case diameter: 45mm.
- Case material: 316L stainless steel.
- Bracelet material: Either 316L stainless steel bracelets, or rubber straps.
- Clasp: Fold-over clasp with safety, or deployment buckle.
- Water resistance: 3000 meters/9,843 feet.
- Movements: Breitling automatic Caliber 17 (base movement Swiss automatic ETA 2824-2), with 25 jewels and 28,800 vph.
- Precision: COSC certified, and within COSC requirements (-4/+6 sec/day).
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal glass.
- Bezel: Unidirectional 316L stainless steel bezel.
Breitling’s most serious divers watch
This is Breitling’s heaviest artillery as far as water resistance is concerned. With a water resistance of 3,000 meters/9,843 feet, it’s difficult to beat this water resistance performance of Breitling Avenger II Seawolf.
As far as water resistance is concerned, very few quality brands can match Breitling. The other brands would be Rolex, Omega, Bell & Ross and Oris – these brands can indeed can offer you heavy duty divers watches.
Made of 316L stainless steel, a chronometer certified automatic movement, and a robust case and bracelet, this timepiece is most definitely a tool watch which you can depend on.
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Best Military Watches:
6) Panerai Radiomir – a Swiss Made military watch – Italian origins
Category of watches: Swiss Made divers watches of Italian origins.
Panerai – the Italian Navy’s official watch supplier of the 20th century.
Technical specifics:
- Manufacturer: Panerai/Richemont Group.
- Case diameter: Either 45mm or 47mm.
- Case material: Either stainless steel or 18 carat rose gold.
- Bracelet material: Leather strap.
- Clasp: Buckle.
- Water resistance: 100 meters/330 feet.
- Movements: Most commonly used movements are: Panerai automatic movement OP III, (base movement Swiss automatic Valjoux 7750-P1), with 21 jewels, 28,800 vph, 42 hour power reserve, Panerai mechanical hand wind movement OP XI, (base movement ETA 6497/2), with 17 jewels, 21,600 vph, 56 hour power reserve, and Panerai in-house mechanical hand wind movement P. 2002, with 21 jewels, 28,800 vph and 8 days of power reserve.
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal glass.
- Bezel: Fixed.
Panerai Radiomir – a military watch with pedigree
Panerai Radiomir’s history started as early as the 1930s. The Panerai Radiomir is considered to be the world’s very first military underwater watch.
In 1916, Panerai filed a patent on its Radiomir invention – a powder, based on radium, used for the purpose of creating luminescent dials on instruments and devices, used by the Italian Navy.
In 1936, the legendary Italian luxury watch manufacturer, developed the first Radiomir wristwatch prototype – a watch with a minimalistic black dial and a brown leather strap. This watch was made for the frogmen of the Royal Italian Navy.
In 1938, Panerai started the production of its Panerai Radiomir watches. They used Rolex movements.
In 1940, the brand improved its Panerai Radiomor Collection because the Italian Navy had very specific requirements. Panerai improved the water resistance of the watch and made it more robust.
The Panerai Radiomir is the oldest family or collection within the Panerai brand dating back to the 1930s, and it was the Panerai Radiomir that functioned as the Italian navy’s original military water resistant wristwatch.
What sets Panerai Radiomir apart from Panerai Luminor Marina, and Panerai Luminor Submersible, is that Panerai Radiomir lack’s Panerai’s characteristic crown protector, and has a more delicate build. The original Panerais that were used by the Italian frogmen, had no crown protector.
It’s true that Panerai Luminor Marina (and Submersible) are more famous and prestigious than Radiomir, but it’s really the Panerai Radiomir that is the real action hero of the Panerai brand. The frogmen of the Italian navy of the 1930s and 1940s used the Panerai Radiomir on their underwater missions.
Panerai Radiomir is water resistant down to 100 meters/330 feet.
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Best Military Watches:
7) Panerai Luminor Marina – a Swiss Made military watch – Italian origins
Category of watches: Swiss Made divers watches of Italian origins.
Panerai Luminor Marina – the military watch that replaced the Panerai Radiomir.
Technical specifics:
- Manufacturer: Panerai/Richemont Group.
- Case diameter: 40mm, 44mm, & 47mm.
- Case material: Either stainless steel, or 18 carat rose gold.
- Bracelet material: Leather straps, rubber straps or stainless steel bracelets (unusual).
- Clasp: Deployment clasp.
- Water resistance: Depends on the model. Either 100 meters/330 feet, or 300 meters/1,000 feet.
- Movements: The Panerai Luminor Marina collection uses a very large variety (well over 10 different calibers) of automatic or mechanical hand wind movements, which are either in-house made by Panerai/Richemont Group, or ETA/Valjoux movements made by Swatch Group.
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal glass.
- Bezel: Fixed.
Panerai Luminor Marina’s iconic crown protector
Panerai Luminor Marina is the improved and modernized version of the original Panerai Radiomir.
Panerai Radiomir was used by the Italian Navy primarily in the 1930s and the 1940s, while the Panerai Luminor Marina was used primarily in the 1950s.
In 1949, the watch manufacturer released a new line of watches which would replace Radiomir – the Luminor collection which used another kind of self-luminous substance.
In 1950, the watch producer equipped its Panerai Luminor watches with the characteristic crown-protector unique to Panerai Luminor. Panerai is probably the only brand in the world that uses this crown-protecting bridge.
Several iconic Hollywood actors and movie heroes have worn the Panerai Luminor Marina both in their movies and in real life: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham and Dolph Lundgren.
Panerai Luminor Marina is water resistant down to a minimum of 100 meters/330 feet, while the more water resistant models are water resistant down to 300 meters/1,000 feet.
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Best Military Watches:
8) Seiko SKX007 & SKX009 – a Japanese Made military watch
Category of watches: Japanese Made divers watches.
Seiko SKX007
Seiko SKX 009
Seiko SKX – a world famous affordable divers watch
Technical specifics:
- Manufacturer: Seiko
- Case diameter: 42mm.
- Case material: Stainless steel.
- Bracelet material: Either stainless steel bracelet, or rubber strap.
- Clasp: Combined fold-over clasp with safety & push-button clasp.
- Water resistance: 200 meters/660 feet.
- Movements: Japanese in-house made automatic movement Seiko 7s26, 21 jewels, 21,600 vph.
- Precision: -20/+40 sec/day. The movement can be adjusted for increased accuracy and can even be adjusted to reach requirements good enough for COSC.
- Crystal: Hardlex.
- Bezel: Unidirectional.
Worth noting:
- Phenomenal luminescent dial.
- Affordable.
- ISO 6425 certified (officially recognized as a professional divers watch).
Seiko SKX – an affordable divers watch and military watch all in one
Seiko is an expert on tool watches and divers watches, and the SKX series is no exception to this rule. The Seiko SKX family is a collection of highly affordable divers and tool watches with a robust build quality and a highly accurate movement.
Water resistant down to 200 meters/660 feet, with an in-house made Seiko automatic movement, readable and luminescent dial, this is ideal for people who want a reliable and sturdy tool watch for daily wear.
You might ask: “What’s the difference between SKX007 and SKX009?”
SKX007 and SKX009 use the identical in-house Seiko automatic movement, and they are both water resistant down to 200 meters/660 feet. The only difference is that the SKX007 has a black bezel while the SKX009 has a “pepsi” dial – a blue and red dial.
None other than General H. Norman Schwarzkopf of the US Army wore a Seiko SKX009 in the first Gulf War in 1990, and if it’s good enough for General Schwarzkopf I guess it’s good enough for most military personnel.
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Best Military Watches:
9) Casio G-SHOCK – a Japanese Made military watch
Category of watches: Japanese Made sports – and tool watches.
Casio G-Shock – the ultimate military tool watch?
Technical specifics:
- Manufacturer: Casio
- Case diameter: 48,5mm & 55mm.
- Case material: Plastic.
- Bracelet material: Resin.
- Clasp: Buckle.
- Water resistance: 200 meters/660 feet.
- Movements: Japanese quartz (battery) digital movement, or Japanese quartz analog movement.
- Precision: Quartz watches usually have a precision performance of +1/-1 sec/day, which means an accuracy of 99,9998%.
- Crystal: Mineral (shatterproof).
- Bezel: Fixed.
Worth noting:
- Ideal tool watch for fighting units.
- Accurate timekeeping.
- Cheap, affordable, reliable & easily replaceable.
- Has a multitude of practical functions. Each individual Casio G-Shock model is unique.
- Dial glass is mineral and therefore shatterproof.
Military forces use Casio G-Shock in real life
Casio is a Japanese wristwatch brand specialized in usable and versatile sports watches, tool watches and divers watches, with a multitude of features and functions.
Casio G-Shock is the very epitome of what Casio as a brand represents. Tough, sturdy, extremely shock resistant, water resistant down to 200 meters/660 feet, equipped with an alarm function, has luminescent and readable dials, a chronograph and a strong outer exterior case.
The Casio G-Shock is a clear favorite in the US and Israeli defense forces.
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Best Military Watches:
10) Vostok Amphibian – a Russian Made military watch
Category of watches: Russian Made military divers watches.
Vostok Amphibian – Metal & Mesh Bracelet & NATO Strap
Vostok Amphibian – a true legend and icon of the Soviet Russian Navy
Technical specifics:
- Manufacturer: Vostok Watch Makers, Inc (based in Chistopol, Tatarstan, Russia)
- Case diameter: 40mm.
- Case material: Stainless steel.
- Bracelet material: Stainless steel bracelet, mesh bracelet, or NATO strap.
- Clasp: Fold over clasp with safety, or buckle.
- Water resistance: 200 meters/660 feet.
- Movements: Most commonly used calibers: Russian in-house made Vostok automatic movement 2414B, with 31 jewels, 2415B, with 31 jewels, and 2416B, with 31 jewels
- Precision: -10/+15 sec/day (officially claimed by Vostok to be -10/+30 sec/day).
- Crystal: Acrylic lens.
- Bezel: Bidirectional.
Worth noting:
- Was used by the Soviet navy during the Cold War.
- Was used by USSR in outer space during the Cold War.
- Extraordinary value for the money.
- Very affordable & easily replaceable.
- The outer case, and the inner movement are both robust, and built like a tank.
- Durable in-house movement.
- Shock resistant movement.
- You can keep the Vostok Amphibian for an entire lifetime, and not worrying about it.
The only combined divers – and military automatic watch below $100
I can only think of one true quality divers watch under $100, which is in fact very accurate, keeps excellent time, provides you with an automatic movement, is truly water resistant and is built like a tank, and that’s the Vostok Amphibian. Automatic watches are usually not sold under $100, but this Russian legend is.
This is in fact a true classic and favorite amongst watch enthusiasts across the world. Granted it’s not Swiss, it’s not a luxury watch, and it’s not Rolex, Omega or Breitling, but it evokes nonetheless enthusiasm amongst watch aficionados all over the world.
The history and background of the Vostok Amphibian
In 1967, the Soviet Russian leadership requested the designers at the Christopol watch factory to design and build a divers watch specifically made to meet the Soviet-Russian Navy’s technical standards and specifications. The divers watch had to be water resistant down to 200 meters/660 feet and had to withstand the changing pressure and temperature which is an inescapable fact as the diver descends deeper into the sea.
Switzerland obviously already had divers watches to meet these specific technical specifications, but since the Soviet Union wanted to manufacture their own divers watches, and since the Soviet Union lacked the equipment to provide the required and necessary accuracy for the manufacturing process, they could not copy or emulate the Swiss design.
The task was given to Mikhail Novikov and Vera Belov to design a divers watch for the Soviet-Russian navy. They named it Vostok Amphibian because the name Amphibian would evoke a watch equally home on land and underwater.
The Vostok Amphibian, internally and externally does not even resemble the classic or conventional Swiss design. It’s completely unique.
The system of sealing the case and the internal movement against seawater, is vastly different from the Swiss technology, but has proven to be extremely effective nonetheless.
Vostok Amphibian keeps accurate time, is robust and built like a tank. It can withstand almost any punishment or brutal treatment. The movement is an in-house made Russian automatic movement with 31 ruby jewels and a minimum of 31 hours of power reserve.
Personal recommendation:
If you do decide to get a Vostok Amphibian on an ordinary metal bracelet (the ones in the upper shopping window), make sure you replace the rather cheap and flimsy standard bracelet (you might get disappointed with the standard bracelet) and replace it with say a shark mesh bracelet. You can purchase shark mesh bracelets at Amazon.com, or you can opt for the Vostok Amphibian which is already equipped with a shark mesh bracelet, in the lower shopping window.
A small surprising element of the Vostok Amphibian:
When you purchase the watch you’ll notice that once you pull out the crown, the winding crown is wobbly. Don’t worry. It isn’t broken or damaged. The winding crown is supposed to be wobbly. The winding crown of the Vostok Amphibian is designed to be detached from the internal winding mechanism inside the movement, so even if you accidentally knock the crown, it won’t damage the internal mechanism.
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If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please post them down below and I’ll be happy to answer them!
Article written by Alexander – Founder and Owner of swissdiverswatches.com
What makes a watch Swiss Made?
Hi,
Where does the CWC SBS divers watch rank in your opinion?
Regards
Ian
Hi Ian,
Given the technical specifications of the CWC SBS divers watch (and I’ll copy the information directly from the relevant website):
“Cabot Watch Company SBS divers’ watch has been made to exacting MOD specs
Made and Assembled in Switzerland
Water-resistant to 300m
Screw down crown
Screw down caseback
Used by Royal Marines SBS and other specialist diving units.
Sapphire glass, diameter 31mm
120-click bezel diameter 40mm
Black PVD casing
45mm diameter including crown (41mm excluding crown), 47mm lug to lug, 20mm lug width, Bezel diameter 40mm, Crystal diameter 31mm
Super Luminova markings
Ronda Swiss made 517 Quartz movement
Day/date
Fixed bars, 20mm black strap supplied as standard.
Cabot Watch Company have supplied this watch to the Special Boat Service of the Royal Navy since 1987 and is currently issued to certain units”,
I’d say the CWC SBS divers watch should rank in the top 10-20 category.
Cheers!
Alexander
I’m really very fond of collection rough and tough swiss military watches. This section of yours is really very awesome.
I’m glad you like the article Steven!
Cheers
Alexander
I would like to state a few words regarding the Boctok Amphibia. I own several of these timepieces and have also owned many, many timepieces from different manufacturers. I must say that out of all of the wrist watches I’ve ever owned, my Blue Scuba Dude Date with 710 Ministry Case gets the most attention and inquiries from people wherever I go. Personally, I adjust all of my automatic/mechanical time pieces and have found the Amphibia to be incredibly accurate gaining only +2 seconds per 24hrs and then losing the same amount of time off wrist placed “crown down” over night. That is to say that I literally NEVER have to adjust the time on it except when changing for Daylight Savings Time, or when I travel into other time zones and the occasional monthly date change.
Also, given their historical significance in the world of horology and their incredibly well thought out design which works “with” water pressure as opposed to fighting against it to maintain case integrity, a 31 jeweled “completely” in-house movement and case…10 year service life which I suspect is partially due to its low beat (19,800 bph), I would even dare to say the secret saying held firmly in belief that all Amphibia owners know especially those of us that actually use the watch for its intended purpose (certified divers)…”this is the watch that the Swiss wish they had invented” (with regard to the compressor case) sealing system as well as the crown clutching system. And thank God they didn’t otherwise we’d be paying a very high price!
So…with that all having been said…these timepieces are definitely a no-brainer for any watch enthusiast, whether professional diver or not.
I for one will never sell or trade my Boctok Amphibias…only to pass them on to those I might deem worthy to appreciate their history, reliability, accuracy, aesthetics, and durability.
I totally agree. The Vostok Amphibian is a technological wonder, offered at an affordable price. It’s one of the very best divers watches ever made for sure.
Cheers
Alexander
Hello, Alexander,
I really love this article. This is a great list of military watches!
Comparing brand to brand, what do you think of Breitling vs Omega?
Thank you
Eli
Hello Eli and a very warm welcome to swissdiverswatches.com!
As far as movement accuracy, outer/external build quality, and steel grade are concerned, I’d say that Omega and Breitling are pretty much equal.
As far as impact on history is concerned, the comparison clearly favors Omega.
Omega Seamasters have been employed by military forces and conventional forces for a considerable amount of time.
In 1917, Omega became the official timekeeper of The British Royal Airforce.
In 1918, Omega became the official timekeeper of The US Army.
Decades ago, following WW2 (the Cold War era) British special forces used the Omega Seamaster as standard equipment in their military operations, which is truly a testament to the reliability of the Omega Seamaster. Another great achievement of the Omega brand would be the Omega Seamaster PLOPROF.
In 1970, the legendary French naval officer, Commander, oceanographer, scientist, photographer and movie maker Jacques Cousteau requested a divers watch. Omega created the Seamaster 600 – Plongeur Professionnel (PLOPROF). That year, this watch won the record for deep-sea diving – which is yet another accomplishment of the Omega brand.
As if this wasn’t enough, in 1969, NASA employed the Omega Speedmaster Professional (the “Moon Watch”) on the moon. Omega is truly a legendary brand – be it in the military, in the special forces, under water or in outer space.
Breitling really never had the same impact as Omega in the world of special forces and warfare. Breitling is primarily known for chronographs and aviation.
What we can say about Breitling in all fairness, is that the Royal Air Force is known to have used Breitling instruments in their fighter planes during WW2. These were cockpit instruments remind you – not wristwatches.
Scott Carpenter used his Breitling Navitimer for his orbital flight in the Aurora 7 capsule in 1962, and Breitling can thusly boast with the first chronograph wrist watch in space.
As far as impact on history is concerned, I have to give this one to Omega.
That said, both brands make robust and well made watches, that could potentially be suitable for a military setting.
Cheers
Alexander
Rolex Submariner is my favorite watch of all time, but since the Submariner is so expensive, would it really be considered to be a military watch today? Isn’t the Submariner defined as a luxury watch?
Vijay
Hello Vijay and a very warm welcome to swissdiverswatches.com!
That makes the two of us – the Rolex Submariner alongside a few other distinguished watches, is my favorite wristwatch as well.
The Submariner is both a luxury watch and a military tool watch.
It’s defined as a “luxury watch” due to the hefty price Rolex charges for it, its unmatched reputation and fame, its unmatched resale value. Some Submariners come in gold, but most of them come in 904L stainless steel – the best steel in the wristwatch industry. All of the Rolex Submariners use the in-house made and venerable 3135 & 3130 automatic movements. Rolex relies solely on its in-house made movements – no ETAs and no Valjouxs.
On the other hand, the Rolex Submariner is absolutely and without question a military watch. Accuracy/precision is -2/+2 sec a day, the 904L stainless steel which I mentioned above is the best steel in the wristwatch industry – it has physical properties that make the steel extremely resistant to corrosion, and for that reason “better” than the standard 316L steel used for most wristwatches (in the Swiss industry, 316L is used for most wristwatches – this would include brands such as Omega, Breitling and TAG Heuer).
The Submariner is comfortable to wear, very light on the wrist, versatile, anti-magnetic, shock resistant, has a tapered bracelet in 904L stainless steel as well, and a folding Oysterlock safety clasp with a Rolex Glidelock extension system, which allows you to adjust the size of your bracelet on the fly without using any tools.
On top of that the Rolex Submariner is water resistant down to 300 meters/1000 feet. That’s a water resistance performance that professional divers would rarely if ever need to test in the water, since they don’t go that deep.
The luminescence and the readability of the dial are excellent, the bezel (timer used for diving) is easy to turn and easy to grip, and the bezel is made of ceramic, which makes it scratch resistant.
And for those who are interested in history, the Submariner was used by the British Royal Navy back in the 1950s.
Personal reviews from all across the globe attest time and time again to the extreme quality and workmanship of the Rolex Submariner.
Expensive, but worth its price. The Rolex Submariner is a watch you keep an entire lifetime, and you can hand it down to the next generation.
Cheers
Alexander
This is a really interesting review. Would the Panerai Radiomir and Luminor Marina actually be considered to be full fledged military watches by modern standards?
Hello Roberto and a very warm welcome to swissdiverswatches.com!
If the Panerai Radiomir and the Panerai Luminor Marina would qualify as modern military watches? It really depends. The Panerai Radiomir and the Panerai Luminor Marina do in fact fulfill all the criteria and requirements for a military watch that I listed in the beginning of the article, but considering the fact that they are expensive, and are usually equipped with leather straps, it would be extremely unlikely that fighting units would wear them, but I can imagine that officers and office administration would wear them.
“Military” is a wide concept really. Depends on the context, but for officers or the administration, I would absolutely say that Panerai would qualify as a military watch.
The primary relevance of Panerai is its history. Panerai was once the watch of choice of the Italian navy in the early and mid 20th Century.
Cheers
Alexander
Hey Alexander! Which Breitling would you personally recommend? The Chronomat or the Avenger II Seawolf? Best regards Chris
Hey Christopher and a very warm welcome to swissdiverswatches.com!
Depends really on what you’re looking for. If you need either a chronograph or a GMT, or both, then I’d recommend the Chronomat. The Avenger II Seawolf hasn’t really got any plethora of functions.
For a person with a slight inclination for snobbery, the Chronomat would probably be the best pick due to its in-house made movement. But in all honesty: there’s nothing wrong with standard ETA movements used for example by the Avenger II Seawolf. The ETA movements keep accurate time and that’s what truly matters.
If you need maximum amount of water resistance then I’d recommend the Avenger II Seawolf. It’s one of the most extreme divers watches available on the market today.
Cheers
Alexander
This is a really great compilation of military style watches! I have a weakness for Seiko SKX series myself, but I find it interesting that the famous Rolex Submariner was once a watch used by the British navy. I didn’t know that. Very interesting!
Out of the ten categories of watches, would you recommend the Vostok Amphibian?
Hello Jack and a very warm welcome to swissdiverswatches.com!
Absolutely – I would recommend the Vostok Amphibian to basically anyone interested in a robust daily beater watch that can take on any punishment, and still keep on ticking. Considering the price and the fact that the Vostok Amphibian can probably last a lifetime, and you rarely if ever need to worry about anything breaking inside the watch, the Vostok Amphibian is definitely a good acquisition.
Best regards
Alexander