Watches Of The British Armed Forces - UK Military (SAS, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Royal Marines)

A Complete History and Review of all watches of the British Military / Armed Forces covering the near 100 year development of the wrist watch (1900's - 2000's) The Discussion looks at the early development of Trench Watches, the "Dirty Dozen", IWC and Smiths Field Watches. Then transitions from Omega and Rolex Contributions to how watches transitioned to Quartz before evolving into the intelligently designed and utilitarian Casio G-Shocks that we see today.
#Militarywatch #MilSpec #MODwatch
anOrdain Article:
Part 1: anordain.com/blogs/news/100-y...
Part 2: anordain.com/blogs/news/100-y...
Part 3: anordain.com/blogs/news/100-y...
- Image Sources -
All Images are Sourced from either Press Release Photos or Public Listings.
Below are a list of the common sources that are used in no particular order:
Bob’s Watches | Revolution Watch | HQ Milton | Hodinkee | Monochrome Watches | Jomashop | Analog Shift | Bulang and Sons | Robb Report | Watchfinder | WatchBox | Phillips Watches | Christies
Support the Channel: www.paypal.me/industrialdesig...
Follow me on Instagram: id.guy?hl=en
Contact me: [e-mail]

[@ID-Guy]

Channel Support: www.paypal.me/industrialdesignguy Latest Releases: kzbin.info/door/zf6rqsEBni5G2TSevD6F4Afeatured Community: kzbin.info/door/zf6rqsEBni5G2TSevD6F4Acommunity

[@Ossory88]

Hey ID guy. I really like you channel. It's great how modern technology can bring enthusiasts together. One question though: what's your opinion about the 2015 omega globemaster? You seem to avoid commenting about this watch or am I mistaken?

[@TCMR1200S]

Absolutely fantastic review

[@baldrick2352]

Really good review. Loved the last 30 secs. Imagine if you did an audiobook of "The Lord of the Rings"?

[@bruceapollo9300]

i dont mean to be so off topic but does anybody know of a way to log back into an instagram account..? I was dumb forgot my account password. I would love any tricks you can offer me!

[@enriquedario2835]

@Bruce Apollo Instablaster :)

[@DeNihility]

Something about wearing a Rolex in the battlefield makes me chuckle.

[@clawhammer704]

It's a great win for the opponent who kills you. A nice watch for the spoils of war.

[@galuyasdi]

I can not wear an electronic watch, so a rolex might be an acceptible substitute, though at 65 I do not figure to go venturing into harms way. Just sayin, you know.

[@felipealmeida5721]

Che had 2 rolex in the jungle...

[@poolee77]

@@Joshua-lz9sk they've done it to themselves by artificially pricing their watches outside of the reach of the common man. A real F-you to the blue collar workers who they built their company on.

[@nobodynothingberg4886]

galuyasdi cannot or choose not too, snob?

[@Mr.M1STER]

You just can't beat a Casio G-shock in most applications. They are reliable, accurate, affordable and just tough.

[@samgardiner1222]

I have a Casio G-shock it is by far the best watch I’ve had that isn’t a smart watch

[@Jarrow13]

I have a Casio MRW S300H (Not a G-Shock), it's been my everyday carry watch for over 5 and a half years now. It's not as durable as a G-Shock, but with my work that entails working in ceilings , climbing up into masts and sometimes having my hands in some shitty places, it's been going on perfectly. Nice thing it's Tough Solar, so the day when I have to buy a watch again, I would definitely buy a Casio with the Tough Solar feature, for the price of Tough Solar Casio's you can't beat the value.

[@greenbow7888]

@@Jarrow13 I have a solar Casio that I bought fourteen years ago, and it's still running on the same cell. It charges up fully overnight, if I put it next to a low energy light bulb, and lasts for months. (With the glass about 2cm away from the light bulb, it charges fast. It doesn't get hot at that distance.) The watch cell seems to still hold the same charge. … I have since bought two more Casio G-Shock solar + wave-ceptors, the latest being an MR-G.

[@pjroska2054]

Watch snobs would get offended, but yes a Casio is way better than a rolex when it comes to durability and accuracy on keeping time

[@timbervandenhul9383]

@@pjroska2054 Back in the day a Rolex was considerd a tough watch, but with modern quartz movements and more knowledge of different materials watches like the Casio G-Shock have become way tougher and mechanical watches have become more of a luxury. I personally wear a g-shock most of the time because in my life a mechanical watch will not survive my everyday watch. I do however love mechanical watches because of how complicated they are, how the hands sweep, how it almost has it's own little "heartbeat" and i respect the history of them alot.

[@henrywest7217]

That was a terrific presentation.

[@ID-Guy]

It was a mammoth one to prepare but its so worth seeing them all together in the end! Thank you for the comment Henry. I loved preparing this!

[@abefroman8202]

IDGuy. Dear sir, you were splendid!

[@NonyaDamnbusiness]

I went through 4 different wars with a G-Shock. You see, military vehicles tend to eat regular and fancy watches. Fancy watches are for discos and dinner parties, G-Shocks are for combat. Everyone in my tank company from the Commander on down was always wearing a G-Shock and if a new soldier showed up without one, the 1SG would march his happy ass down to the local PX to get one. Pretty much the epitome of a military watch today is the Casio GW-M5610-1BFJ - solar-charging, atomic sync, 200m wr, and not as bulky as the rest of the G-Shock line. A slim watch design is important as "sleeves down" is the word of the day on deployments so a watch must be out of the way and very easily fit under not only a sleeve but gloves as well. My main watch now is one of the new Marathon Navigators with sapphire crystal, tritium tubes, and battery hatch. It's so light you can't even feel it when wearing it. The Navigator keeps excellent time, tracks UTC wherever you are, and can easily be read in the dark sans night vision devices which very important when managing nighttime MOUT training. But a G-Shock is always right there in my go bag.

[@Bravo-Too-Much]

What war were you fighting with the bulky and noticeable chunky on the wrist G-Shocks? Casio Illuminator Data Banks are the real modern war watch. Metal band so you don’t notice the sweat as much and it doesn’t start to stink, it can store up to thirty, nine digit phone numbers with a lettered name for each, it lights up clear but not enough to light your face or give a visual signature, it shows 24 hour time with a lettered day, numbered month and day, and four digit year on the main screen. It’s much smaller, easier to read, strong enough that if a G shock can survive it then so can this, and the up to nine digit numbered data bank that you can label is absolutely invaluable. You can do phone numbers, code reminders, coord short hand, and your kill count.

[@dark_gravity_edc]

Great video! I remember as a teen reading books about Navy divers wearing Rolex, Omega and Tudor. I get to Dive school and they give me a G-Shock. I was so disappointed. Lol

[@darthkek1953]

Little realising those old Navy divers would have given anything for something as reliable as a G-Shock. "Synchronise watches on my mark..." _"But why, Sarge? All our watches have exactly the same time on them!"_

[@Knightswhosaynee]

Disappointed why because it works Just as well as a Rolex And cost a fraction of the amount.

[@winstonwinters6141]

The humble Casio F-91W All you’ll ever need and will survive most situations.

[@mortallious1234]

That's why it's a favorite of Al-Qaeda and their bomb makers.

[@RA-yc9fb]

Legit, best watch ever made

[@magnuskallas]

I noticed it also, wearing a Alarm Chonograph at this very moment, but a M with NATO strap. Boy, looks like a crowd pleaser!

[@craigl1914]

I'd put money on most of the likes this comments received are from serving soldiers/veterans. It's the watch you'll see the most at almost any Regiment.

[@GeneralG1810]

Face is flat and easily damaged, not mud resistant, weak pins on band. Sure for an average Joe good everyday watch, someone being shot at and jumping over barricades and landing on it's face, or crawling through a muddy trench not so much

[@pipes9878]

Great vid, really interesting to see the development whilst keeping in mind the environments for each requirement. Loved the out cuts at the end 🤣😂

[@calvinthomas3543]

A very well researched to the point presentation, something that will prove to be a gem for collectors. Thanks for putting this together!

[@007jjr]

Interesting, informative, factual, you did your homework. represents hours of work. Thank you.

[@renebense]

Incredible line up of the most astonishing watches. All look very well made. The video is jam packed with information. I had to watch it twice. This is the best video ever on the British mil spec wrist watch. ID Guy, you did a great job. Bloopers at the very end, brilliant. Chapeau.

[@ID-Guy]

Rene, thank you! It took well over a week to prepare (and there are still so many references that were left out) AND, you'll be happy to know that I'll be covering the US, French, Russian, UAE Forces watches too... it would make for such a great series! Napoleon's Breguet... what else needs to be said? ;) Thank you for the comments as always!

[@renebense]

The trend, so it seems is to digital, cheap Casio's. But at the same time the rather posh Bremont is introduced. There is a huge gap in price, so the question is, how special or high ranked do you have to be in the army, to get a Bremont?

[@VersedNJ]

@@renebense Well it will look good and Staff officers and political events.

[@martincallery8862]

Absolutely superb video. In 16 minutes a comprehensive but potted history of the wristwatch military history. Well done Sir!

[@watchbrocephus]

This is great work and a joy to watch! Thank you for your hard work in making this show for us. I own a few CWC watches and enjoy them. Best Regards Stuart

[@Mark..P]

Brilliant episode! Being ex RAF (in my younger days), I found this fascinating. My only military watch is an Omega 2292 (1939) which was issued to the Royal Fleet Air Arm (aircraft carrier Pilots). I often look at it and wonder what stories it could tell. (Nice to see applicable is still causing issues 😁)

[@ID-Guy]

I think I actually botched the reference of the Longines CK2129 (but it seems like they were made in tandem with the same Omega reference at the time...weird) Gorgeous watch you have there! And to think that my old man was in the Rhodesian SAS and wasn't into watches... His pilots wore Speedmasters, GMT's... ARGH! And don't get me started with the tongue twisters hahaha!

[@Mark..P]

IDGuy Wow. That is a tremendous heritage you come from, you must be very proud, and a sign of what you are made of 👍

[@Leec_1972]

@@ID-Guy Could tell immediately from the accent.

[@zacharyg2966]

This was amazing. Thank you for the video!

[@WreckedRectum]

Superb vid, as always. Very interesting to see the evolution from beginning to present and the history behind it as a driving force.

[@simonmakinson]

Tremendous informative presentation. Thank you.

[@ianjames9574]

First time watching this review. Very well done, I enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@TZOID08]

You always do a thorough job educating us on the subject matter..... The bloopers at the end are a great touch.

[@ID-Guy]

This was a monster to prepare but seeing all of these references together as a timeline made it so worth it! Thank you for the comment man (and the bloopers have officially become a mainstay ;) )

[@VimyScout]

Some beautiful timepiece's. Really enjoyed this.. Thank you.

[@edteach3r]

Wow! An outstanding video! I adore field watches, and this has to be my favourite watch video of the year. Thank you so much!

[@Peter_WongVI]

Thank you IDGuy, I've learned a lot of new stuff here!

[@ID-Guy]

Your email was answered with the best of my ability Peter ;) I had just finished the write-up when you sent it to me last week. I'm glad you enjoyed it! There is such a breadth of history to these watches (and please look at the articles in the description of the video!)

[@chandimabodhinath1779]

A presentation very well done. Absolutely wonderful because I have never heard this information before. Keep up the good work. Greetings from Sri Lanka.

[@hughmckendrick3018]

Love watches and this type of content is ideal, cheers.

[@matthewrikihana6818]

Excellent vid as always. The bloopers at the end helped me snap out of drooling over these field pieces.

[@ID-Guy]

The behind the scenes realities breaks the illusion ;) I need to keep the bloopers in just to share snippets of my finest moments haha! Thank you for the comment as always Matthew

[@bootlegracer7729]

Loved this video, what a fascinating insight. Great video as always! Please keep this series going

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you Dave! It was a mammoth writeup (but now I'm compelled to keep the series linked to as many Forces as possible - like the US, French, Swiss, Russian and UAE) It would make one hell of an archive ;) Thank you for the comment, man. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@Teachering]

Very informative. Very entertaining. Well researched. Reawakens in me a hunger for one of these military style watches.

[@Thomas_Burnett]

Great to see the Seiko 7A28-7120 ‘Gen 1’ in there. I got mine in 1990 whilst at college. I bought it from a friend who pinched it from his Dad who was in the Army Air Core and got it for under a tenner because he wanted to buy some cigarettes!!! It was the watch that really got me into watches and I wore it on a new discovery, the NATO strap, for about twenty years. I still love it but it needs a little tlc to bring it back to full working order. It is such a joy to be able to see so many other military watches all in one video and you really have done a brilliant job with this one my friend. A history lesson for the watch enthusiast. These watches, as you say, were built for a purpose and their military association makes them fascinating as they were commissioned by governments so, they have a true seal of approval. These are watches that truly do have stories to tell. If they had a voice, would we really want to hear those tales of war though? ✊ Love the bloopers again!

[@ID-Guy]

This felt like such a mammoth video to put together (they never normally take a full week to prepare) but the timeline was too good to not pass on. I think any rookie or experienced watch geek to can just drool over the decades of pieces. Actually! I'm going to dedicated Saturdays stream to "Field / Military watches" It's Decided. Thank you for the comment, brother (and apologies for not getting back to your emails) My mails are just filling up and I'm getting more and more swamped haha!

[@steveleyland9619]

Well put together and extremely informative.

[@evanspivack2714]

Great review! I learned a great bit...very much appreciated!

[@ID-Guy]

The history really is fascinating (it still blows my mind) and thank you for the comment Evan! It was a pleasure to put together

[@jamespool1335]

Superb video!!! Thanks

[@juniorjohnson5961]

Rewatching for the second or third time not Shure , wonderful video the amount of time and research you've put into this is amazing ,you and the channel are getting better all the time !! God bless you hope all is well 🙏

[@nachovalenti]

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@davidwalker9302]

I have a 1953 fat arrow Omega R.A.F. pilots watch still keeping perfect time, Great presentation.

[@malikknows3510]

Beautifully done! Thank you!

[@rckarrh]

You did a great video, (a Full hour XXXX excluded!). I've enjoyed every of your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@briancarpenter1255]

I so love the field watches that had their beginnings in the Military. I enjoy my Hamilton Khaki Mechanical which has its own military history. I really look forward to your vid on Smiths and where they are now. Great job.

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you so much Sherry. I'm going to carry this discussion forward into a Livestream on Saturday (because there is so much to talk about) And the history of Smiths will be fascinating to get into. Thank you for the comment!

[@matthewnewing8425]

Great video, well done I’ve watched it a number of times now.

[@Doubleoseven502]

I really enjoyed this review. Just for those that might be interested. RAF aircrew most popular watch is the Brietling aerospace and ground staff seem to favour Garmin these days.

[@RobWhittlestone]

Excellent informative video. Great to hear Smiths being mentioned. Iconic watches and stunning diver models. I also liked the Seiko chronos as being something different. First rate content. Subscribed. Thank you so much! Rob in Switzerland.

[@me5969]

I don’t think a voice has ever suited a video as much as this.

[@JouNaai1448]

a South African accent I think. a rare English South African accent

[@brit1066]

Dylan How ON EARTH did you come to that conclusion. There is absolutely none of the audible cues that make this voice South African.

[@JouNaai1448]

@@brit1066 well I AM SOUTH AFRICAN and iv heard that particular accent thousands of times and I know that it is South African . There are alot of clues . The way he says words like "market" and "clear " . Its a rare accent compared to other South African accents . Just like anywhere in the world there are alot of different accents in SA.

[@mushyw1234]

@@brit1066 It's pretty clearly South African if you know what you're hearing. I grant you it's not strong but there's no way I could hear him speak more than 3 sentences without deducing he did or has spent significant time there.

[@brit1066]

@@mushyw1234 I bow to your knowledge and experience.

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Great video. Keep up the good work.

[@jonnybreakz]

Well done my friend. ! A well thought out presentation with the bloopers at the end. Keep up the good work!

[@ID-Guy]

It was a a monster to assemble but seeing the watches as a timeline continues to fascinate me (the discussion of Field watches is going to be the foundation of the Livestream on Saturday) Thank you as always for the comments you leave. It's such a pleasure sharing these videos

[@jonnybreakz]

@@ID-Guy Thank you my friend! I look fwd to the live chat !! Cheers!

[@hishamhabib666]

Excellent vid once again 👏🏻

[@ID-Guy]

You're a gent Hisham. This was a mammoth video to put together (but what a history?) I love seeing the timeline! Thank you for the comment brother.

[@cedarcanoe]

Great GREAT video on great watches, thank you!

[@michaelriera6277]

Wow! So much fun to watch and learn. Thanks!

[@thisispw]

Excellent work sir. The bloopers just makes one realise how much work.

[@SquirrelRIP]

Fantastic work, thank you.

[@milesf4626]

Just fascinating. Thank you very much IDGuy

[@ID-Guy]

The history is incredible, right? Thanks so much for watching Miles. I'm so glad you enjoy it!

[@arikjohnson412]

Another triumphant talk! 👍 well done

[@Relumer]

Very educative video, thank you for sharing!

[@stevesmith7997]

Great Video!

[@ontheotherhand6490]

Fantastic video, great information and most deffinatly subscribed

[@jrnbakken4348]

Keep up this great work!!

[@James-Deep]

Excellent video!

[@tomclowes5874]

Really loved this video. Thanks for taking the time to make it, a lot must have gone into it. If you're after ideas then I think you would provide a very balanced view on g shocks and maybe take us through there line. There seems to be a lot more romance about them compared to the average smart watch P.s. my wife thinks you have a very soothing voice

[@ID-Guy]

Phew, it was a monster, Tom... but seeing the timeline made it all worth it. And talking about G-shocks! I picked up the pen the other day and found out that I can't design watches, but CAN design G-Shocks... "IDGuy Designs a G-Shock" might be something on the horizon (with some actual penmanship involved) I need to cover the brand in detail... As pieces of Industrial Design, I think they are fantastic (smart watches don't come close ;) ) And P.S. Your wife sounds like a darl. Please tell her I say thank you! And thanks a bunch for the comment!

[@Derek-lz8cg]

British military watches get the name "G10" from the MoD form used to record service personnels "optional" (as opposed to standard) issue equipment, form G1098.

[@poulwinther]

Highly appreciated!

[@davidgriffiths8720]

That iwc mark 11 is beautiful. Great video as always

[@ID-Guy]

IWC would rule the watch game if they reissued it... exactly the same with a manual wind movement and the works. Just imagine? Thanks as always for the comment David!

[@robgoodsight6216]

Superb video! thank you very much!!!

[@portsmouthted1429]

What a fantastic and informative video 👍🏻

[@robski907]

Brilliant video mate top notch ;)

[@ID-Guy]

Thanks a ton, Rob. I loved putting it together (until the one hour mark of the sound recording) The history is just unreal though...it was too good to pass up

[@BoogurTWang]

Brava, very well researched and presented.

[@ID-Guy]

Thanks a million Boogur. It was a biggie but seeing the timeline together is so worth it in the end! Thank you as always for the comment. It's such a pleasure bringing these out

[@damnmister]

Brilliant presentation!

[@kurts4867]

Bravo!!! Great review... I own a couple of CWC's . Love them. I wish all the watch makers you featured would bring back their field watches. You couldn't make them fast enough. Some years back Longines did a re-issue of their military field watch and now it's hard to find them... Sold out!!!

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you Kurt. I completely agree. Imagine another IWC MKXI, genuine to the last detail, manual wind and everything? It would be amazing. Thank you for the comment!

[@VersedNJ]

I think the Canadian and US Military use a similar and similar priced Marathon Quartz watches.

[@TheTFC101]

Great thanks love the outtakes!

[@mikekamler]

Cheers bru! Dig the bloopers at the end but a fantastic video all round!

[@ID-Guy]

Huzzit! The bloopers have become a mainstay... and they're never intentional (which is what I love) Thank you for the comment Mike. I love making these!

[@mikekamler]

@@ID-Guy Keep up the awesome work! You've got something unique going on in your channel Bud!

[@pricefamily8043]

Awesome vid. Thank you..

[@73maf53]

Excellent vid 👌🇬🇧

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you so much man! I'm dead keen to make Field watches the subject of Saturday's Livestream ;)

[@eduk4387]

Magnificent video. Thank you and greetings from Colombia.

[@faisalingalong]

Knew a lot of this but learnt some stuff too. Great stuff as always.

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you man! A lot of it is pretty basic (I'll admit) But I also learnt one or two new things (and seeing the timeline really grabbed me to making the video in the first place) Thank you for the comment!

[@faisalingalong]

IDGuy Well it’s basic...once you know it. All good! I’ll check out the article too.

[@fishlips8336]

I'm not sure what's better, the rich history of these military watches or the blooper reel at the end?! Brilliant mate 👍

[@blueshirtbuddah1665]

Outstanding ID Guy! The is your greatest video to date! Once again you prove that your channel is a "must watch" in the watch community on You Tube. Well done sir. PS: Q-Dos phor a well phisted shout out to a certain "Watch Wrangler". Well phisted indeed!

[@ID-Guy]

You're a Legend, Blueshirt. This took a very long time to piece together (well over a week, which isn't normally the case) but the development and history behind these pieces can't be matched easily. Of course now I have to do the US, French, Russian, UAE Forces in the future... And I thought the Wrangler would appreciate it phrom me ;) Thanks as always for the comment, man!

[@Thomas_Burnett]

@Blueshirt Buddah Recognition Respektos ✊

[@sgoody1]

Great video. Thank you.

[@michael_mouse]

... excellent video with great content... bravo... subbed!

[@markyh0555]

Fantastic video mate, well researched, well presented. The watches, well talk about grail. There was a few of mine in there. We can but dream. 👍⌚⌚⌚

[@geographyinaction7814]

What a fantastic video!

[@porkimond]

In my humble opinion and from 4 years of service G-shock will beat anything

[@Knightswhosaynee]

porkimond It will beat anything and for the cost of one Rolex or Omega you can outfit many men with them.

[@bigearedmouse17]

Not surprised to see the Casio F91W, Does exactly what it says on the tin.

[@jameswatts1292]

Great video, very interesting!

[@darrenpearce4603]

Unbelievable video 👌🏽

[@svenski59]

I reluctantly wore all of my collection during operations just so each would have a bit of history but stopped when I thought of some vile creature pocketing a future family heirloom in the event that I met harm. Love the video but especially the last few seconds of commentary. Didn’t expect that😂

[@monsopiad70]

Excellent video.

[@cryptotrader2779]

Ha ha. Awesome ending. Best ending of any KZbin video ever. And very nice and informative content before hand. Super video. Enjoyed that a lot. Thanks man.

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

Wow Bremont makes some killer pieces. The ALTI-P2 pilot's chrono with the tan dial is superb.

[@JDMullachabu]

Excellent feature. Very considered, evidently well researched, and actually enjoyable to watch, unlike most of the over-hyped, fast-cut, loud music watch reviews/features that litter KZbin. I’m a (fledgling) collector of watches, but also ex-British Military myself, so this was very interesting. Bravo Zulu.

[@maximumman8911]

Very cool video. Well done.

[@sportster883able]

Outstanding commentary

[@Sturnburn772]

Fantastic video

[@ID-Guy]

It was a blast to make. Thank you Stanley!

[@deltanovember1672]

Very informative and amusing. Liked and subbed.

[@shannonharris2816]

Excellent exposition.

[@ClickSpringReview]

Love the out takes sir :)

[@evelfreeak1730]

what a great video!!!

[@richardthorn7726]

Brilliant presentation

[@zachmcelfresh]

Very cool video.

[@damienclinton4080]

GREAT VIDEO!!! Now I'm off in search of a military watch to add to my collection!

[@ID-Guy]

There are so, so many Damien... I've been drooling over them this past week (and will have a Livestream on Saturday all about them too) Thank you for the comment man! I'm glad you enjoyed the video

[@damienclinton4080]

@@ID-Guy I know right! Always liked the look of the fliegers, especially the Type B, but now I don't know anymore, haha! Thanks for the great content and insights as always!

[@VersedNJ]

I have an Seamaster, Sinn, Stowa's, Longines, Zelos and others. But if I had to go into combat I'd use a G-Shock, accurate and durable and cheap.

[@brianfuller7691]

Many troops agree

[@iainprince3987]

looking forward to the Smiths video you mention in this presentation👍

[@iangraham705]

Top work 👍🏻

[@ID-Guy]

Thanks a million Ian. It was a blast putting this together!

[@verykeen2please]

very interesting history thank you