Watches Of The French Armed Forces - French Military (Tudor MN, Type XX, Blancpain Fifty Fathoms)

[@ID-Guy]

IDGuy Store: teespring.com/stores/the-idguy-store Channel Support - Patreon: www.patreon.com/idguy Latest Releases: kzbin.info/door/zf6rqsEBni5G2TSevD6F4Afeatured Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/id.guy/

[@whatsindansgarage2542]

One year of making for a 22 minutes video. That’s what I would call dedication.

[@Profanity92]

The ZRC Grands Fonds 300 really speaks to me, and it gives me the feeling of being a true toolwatch with selfcleaning bezel, the crown "blocking" bracelet, the giant hands and not saving on the lume application.

[@ID-Guy]

Crazy cool looking, right? It's one of the best conversation starters out of the lot too! Thank you for this, profanity. It's always great to find someone else who appreciates the outliers ;)

[@michaelkepes6125]

I totally agree as soon as I saw those block like hands I immediately thought Sinn the only other models like it

[@ed4517]

'Probably in a years time' love your dry sarcastic humor. Quality overview sir. Keep it up 👍

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you Ed! Gotta keep up with those expectations ;)

[@Mark..P]

Extremely well researched. 👏👏👏

[@ID-Guy]

Thanks a million, Mark. Can't beleive it took a year to piece together in parts. I hope the clip didn't feel it's length! After seeing it about 7 or 8 times in total (while editing) it got a bit...repetitive ;)

[@Mark..P]

@@ID-Guy You can see that an enormous amount of hard work and dedication has gone into producing this. It was totally spot on my friend. Well done 🥃

[@ID-Guy]

@@Mark..P Thank you sir! We all do it for the passion at the end of the day (the learning is just an added bonus)

[@georgehave]

All of these watches, being designed for a purpose and nice for style, is what I find appealing. I gravitate to the simple watch, 3 hands, easy to read. I have watches with more complications, but seldom use the complications . They really are “timeless “.

[@ID-Guy]

Looking back at all the watches in the lineup, I love this grouping... Actually find them way more engageing than a lot of the British military variants. The Seamaster 300 and Milsub are incredible BUT... Imagine a 7016 Snowflake, Breguet Type XX and Fifty Fathoms as a trio? Collecting over ;) Thanks as always George!

[@mikeontherock]

Very interesting video and featuring some really great pieces too.

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you Michael! It was great fun covering these, especially the more bizarre ones - at least the ones I could find ;)

[@joker14n]

First off, i’m too old to suddenly discover a passion for these vintage pieces. So stop it. That being said, you knocked it out of the park again on this one. Spectacular variety of pieces presented wonderfully

[@blueshirtbuddah1665]

Another outstanding video IDGuy! I love military watches and your series on military watches are some of the best on KZbin. Thank you!

[@ID-Guy]

This has been a monster, Blueshirt. Kid you not, it's been worked on for a year (and a month) 90% of the time goes into researching and typing out something coherent. Just bizarre! Thank you as always, sir.

[@jcbsplace]

Agreed!

[@SamrayGTR]

The "No Radiations" on the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms means I can go into Chernobyl unscathed right? ;)

[@ID-Guy]

Exactly right, Samray. You'd literally be invincible (I'm kidding, don't do that) ;)

[@michaelfierman3256]

just a comment to let you know how much we appreciate the amount of work you put into these. thoroughly interesting.

[@ID-Guy]

Greatly appreciated as ever Michael, thank you. Just for taking the time to watch the length of this clip deserves a medal ;)

[@rickfanning5647]

Simply brilliant video. So much information. Thank you.

[@ID-Guy]

Such a pleasure Rick and thank you for taking the time to watch the clip! There's almost too much to take in haha! ;)

[@mgb1971]

Great video. One of your best.

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you, sir. It was a monumental writeup but the feeling of knowing that it's done is priceless ;)

[@stevefox8605]

Fascinating episode. Thank you for your hard work researching and producing this lesson, always enjoy your videos.. Such a shame Tudor used generic lume plots with it's modern BBs, the Square markers (a la Pelagos and earlier divers) just work so much better with the beautiful snowflake hands. Gotta love a military watch, for me it's coz there's no bs, nothing superfluous - just a rugged easy to read tool. Thanks again, great work 👍🏻👍🏻

[@ID-Guy]

All we can do is hope that when Tudor brings out their MN partnership piece we get to see the squared plots again (who knows) - If they were to put that dial in a BB58 format, they'd have yet another smash hit. Thank you as always for these Steve. I'm so glad you enjoyed the clip!

[@AbdulRWatches]

The Tudor Submariner is definitely my favourite of the bunch, I have the 94400, but my wife wears most of the time as the size suites her perfectly. I think that the military watch style was always in fashion due to wars and due to military being more in popular than now.

[@ID-Guy]

A lot of us are hoping that Tudor brings out another masterpiece with their MN collaboration (it's still happening this year) Thank you for taking the time to watch the clip as always Abdul!

[@BobGolob]

Fantastic review!

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you so much Bob! It's so worth it seeing everything packaged together finally

[@BobGolob]

@@ID-Guy I really enjoyed to watch this video. I knew of course about the Breguet and Dodane chronograhs and the Blancpain divers, but there are so many watches I wasn't aware of. I learned a lot. I can feel there is a lot of work behind this video. Great job!

[@kahuhipajae4088]

Great job as always and wealth of information.

[@ID-Guy]

Such a pleasure, as always and thank you for taking the time to watch the clip!

[@robintobin3506]

Good to hear Dodane get name checked - even in passing. Still make fantastic watches. Have one as my daily - has been flawless.

[@Michael-4]

Wow, lots of work gone into this, well done.

[@thepariswatchmaitresse5423]

Your Military Video was EPIC, WOW 🤩 loved 🥰 it, have seen it three times…watched it when it dropped. Seen it with Dad. And watched it with Mum, she loved 🥰 it as well and the ZRC made want to get our watches out again & give them another go as she loves the dials. Well done 👍, was worth the wait, a whole new level 🤜🇫🇷❤️. As you know IDGuy I love Dirty Dozen & Military Watches they form a large part of my collection, you cover the history of the French brilliantly ✊.

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you Meghan. It's very humbling to think that you spent an hour watching this clip. Also was great to give Longines and ZRC the praise they deserve in this area ;)

[@eglantinefrancoisg.9243]

Absolutely nailed it @idguy! I can't imagine the amount of research needed to bring this great vid out. Congrats and thanks !!! Cheers from France ;)

[@ID-Guy]

My pleasure as always and best wishes to you both! I had a feeling you'd love this (hope I did France a service) As for my French however...

[@mattys1467]

Fascinating, well researched and presented history. Thanks so much 🙏

[@dasmesser1]

Absolutely superb video. Thank you, IDGuy!

[@ID-Guy]

Such a pleasure and thank you for taking the time to check out the clip!

[@carguy3645]

Very cool video man. I love and have a deep appreciation for military issued and dove watches. The more “toolish” looking the more I love it. You left out a couple of really great ones. Sinn and Marathon.

[@kk7sm]

How timely! I have a Breguet Type XX arriving today. I can watch this while I wait for the delivery driver!!! Thanks! :-)

[@ID-Guy]

A huge congratulations Chris! Wow! Welcome to the club - I'm allowed to say that being a BigEye owner ;) So excited for you, brother!

[@kk7sm]

@@ID-Guy Thanks very much! The one I ordered was previously loved and was waiting for a new home, so I've invited it to live in the ChrisD home for wayward timepieces. I am a fan of the BigEye as well - I think Longines did a fantastic job on their Avigation! What a lovely watch!

[@ID-Guy]

@@kk7sm Only a few hour(s) until the Type XX arrives. This is the year of the aviation chronograph it seems! So many of us are jumping on board ;) Enjoy it!

[@kk7sm]

@@ID-Guy FedEx came to call and I'm insanely pleased. I think my face will split from the grin! Thanks for letting me join the club!!! :-)

[@ID-Guy]

@@kk7sm AH! So stoked for you, Chris! Bloody marvellous way to cap off the week! Everything happens for a reason (you were clearly meant to watch this today) Congratulations ;)

[@chazfromtheburg]

I learn so much from each of your videos! All the hard work is greatly appreciated. Brilliant video, my friend! 👏👊

[@ID-Guy]

Always such a pleasure Chaz. This monster took ages to piece together but hey, now we all get to learn that little bit more ;) Have a great start to your weekend, sir!

[@khronokraze]

Love these videos. Well done, as usual.

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you as always, brother. Loved exploring these gorgeous pieces over the year

[@CaptCanuck4444]

Interesting video, a refreshingly substantive departure from much of the lightweight watch content on youtube.

[@daundertaker3980]

Great informative vid ID Guy! Awesome

[@halfsharona]

Great history series. Thank you.

[@voltarengulsen2628]

Brilliant content, my favorit watch channel 2021

[@ID-Guy]

Very humbling Voltaren... thank you so much, brother! I'm so glad you enjoyed the clip

[@alexandersmith855]

Another informative entry for this great series, even with those persistent gaps in public record. The Tudor MN watches being off the shelf service ready recalls both your musings on the "beater watch" and the anecdote of Citizen's supplier contact with Italy's marina militare. Re: beaters, its amazing how robust watches are especially with contemporary manufacture techniques, but even 'vintage' pieces had more durability when initially made than we might think. & I believe that's some of the lasting appeal of mechanicals: its a good that remains outside consumerist planned obsolescence. re: Citizen, they had a decade+ contract with Italy's Marina Militare supplying dive watches to frogmen/ incursion divers. In the bidding phase, Citizen submitted for testing off the shelf NY0040 Promaster Divers, rated ISO 200m. Presumably with the idea that they'd fail but that failure would guide how to adjust manufacturing to meet spec. Well the stock models passed the MM testing up to/just beyond 500m, that's how overbuilt a contemporary ISO diver turned out to be.

[@ID-Guy]

How cool is it that even today Tudors can be seen as "beaters" still. AND they're releasing an official MN collaboration watch on September 1st. Cannot wait to explore Italian pieces... And German... And Russian...And Japanese... These episodes need to happen more often! Thank you for all of this Alexander. The Citizen Promaster is as legendary as the Seiko Turtle, let's be real ;)

[@alexandersmith855]

@@ID-Guy If willing to look askant enough at marketing from companies that produced mil-spec pieces, I bet you'll find watches that love a good beating. I believe companies are unlikely not to maintain at least a subset of models expressly fit for rigorous use, unless they get bought and sold too often. Pride in technical accomplishments & engineering Be it Rolex professional models or Seiko prospex: inside every tool watch is a beater ready to endure & every beater has utility as a technician's instrument.

[@neelsengupta662]

Bravo @idguy, a masterpiece of a video, learnt so much from this, and saw pieces I've never seen before

[@ID-Guy]

I'm so glad Neel! I also learnt a lot pulling the video together over the months. It's pretty amazing seeing how diverse some of these pieces were, right? Thank you as always!

[@morgan97475]

Very cool & informative video.

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you M S, it's a joy to finally see it finished with everything catalogued. And thank you for taking the time to watch the clip!

[@russell996]

Amazing work, simply demonstrates to me how little I know. 🥃

[@ID-Guy]

Hey, I didn't know much until the preparations began a year ago ;) Thank you, Russell!

[@steventurner8859]

What an exceptional video!! That’s me off to do more research. Thanks for all the hard work that obviously went into producing this video and others that you have done. A different class.

[@ID-Guy]

My pleasure Steven! It means so much that you can take the time and watch the clip too. Thank you - enjoy researching some of these gems ;)

[@tippykaffu4047]

I love the marine national Yema. They have beautiful design

[@ID-Guy]

And it's amazing how they've worked their way into the Navy and Airforce. Original designs that are still in service always makes us smile. Thank you as always Tippy!

[@inglebybhoy3293]

Hi IDGuy, another outstanding video. The research must have taken an age. One small point, with respect, there were Free French Forces during WW2. My Father served in the Forces Navales Françaises Libres, or FNFL. The French crew were very motivated.

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you and thank you! You would know this history far more than me (and I should've done more researching around this area) I can only imagine the stories he'd tell!

[@jcbsplace]

Wow

[@midas1929]

Putting all this together is really an amazing effort and very detailed work in top quality. I enjoyed every minute. Thank you for that! The one guy that gave the thumbs down is probably the one that can not swim.

[@ID-Guy]

Plot Twist: It was me who gave it a thumbs down just to keep things interesting (kidding...or am I??) ;) Thank you as always Andreas, especially for taking the time to watch the clip

[@chrisstevenson2622]

Outstanding. I love field watches. They are an all around watch. They go with jeans and a t-shirt to a suit & tie. They are robust and yet elegant.

[@ID-Guy]

I can't wait to cover them more. Have a "Reissue Field Watch" video in the works AND I'd love to dig deeper into how they integrate into our collections today. They are the most ideal "Dress" watch that money can buy ;) Thanks as always Chris!

[@chrisstevenson2622]

@@ID-Guy, I totally agree. The best executed watches on the planet are Rolex Explorer, Omega Railmaster, Tudor Ranger and Hamilton Field Khaki. Some of the reissue WW2 field watches issued to U.S. forces are amazing. One in particular is the A-11 issued to paratroopers during Operation Overlord.

[@chrisstevenson2622]

@@ID-Guy, some watch makers could learn a thing or two by looking at these historic time pieces.

[@chrisstevenson2622]

@@ID-Guy, this is kind of off topic but I have a question… How come watch makers keep using traditional lume and haven’t embraced Tritium? Tritium doesn’t require light to be charged and lasts for twenty plus years.

[@ID-Guy]

@@chrisstevenson2622 And my particular favourite is the Smiths W10 (also love the A-11)

[@andreapelliccioli7283]

Fantastici, iconici, senza tempo!

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you so much, Andrea! Grazie Mille!

[@mannyfernandez1713]

Been waiting on this for a loooong tiiiimeeee ALLOOOONS

[@ID-Guy]

An entire year and a month to finally bring this out... surreal. All of the effort went into the researching and typing something coherent. But hey, it's finished! Thanks for taking the time to watch the clip, Manny!

[@mannyfernandez1713]

@@ID-Guy it was amazing man, keep up the amazing work mon ami

[@ID-Guy]

@@mannyfernandez1713 Will do, brother and thanks again!

[@jpr7915]

My wife and wallet condemn you for this informative and titillating episode.

[@alecmoriarty]

As a really broad generalization, the Casio F-91W is probably the best watch for most of armed forces. I always wore one and made sure the soldiers in my squad had one on. Yes, there are definitely better, more useful and situational watches; but for $20, you can’t really ask for more.

[@fayimmohammed5435]

Usual very high quality video 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@robch4414]

Apart from their strong heritage, Hanhart is a lovely company to do business with.

[@anthonystevens8683]

A very educational video IDGuy, much appreciated thank you. I find it interesting that modern technology can actually become a barrier for the military application as you mention G-Shock models cannot have Bluetooth as the radio can be used for positioning. I also find myself drawn more and more towards the 'classic' style watches of yesteryear. Watches that are super easy to read at a glance and in may cases almost devoid of text. Longines is a good example at doing exactly this with mating classic styles with modern technologies.

[@rod5529]

Well done!

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you for taking the time to watch the clip, Rod!

[@ennisventer8038]

Thank you for the time and effort. Glad I’m not in your company,and start talking about watches 🙈. That would be real embarrassing!Respect where it’s due. Fantastic piece of watch history 👏👏

[@ID-Guy]

Hahaha bad idea, Ennis! In the real world I'm a lot less like a robot though, watches in conversation only come up at the end ;) Thank you for taking the time to watch the video, brother

[@ID-Guy]

@@IDKline Literally the way 97% of all watch conversations start with me ;)

[@ID-Guy]

@@IDKline "Oh you don't? Well today is your lucky day!"

[@pedromanuellopez142]

I am glad you keep mentioning the MOD Omega Seamaster. A reissue would be brilliant. It will also be interesting to see what Tudor cooks up for their new MN cooperation, maybe a black dialed Pelagos with a dark blue bezel in a 40mm case?

[@andrewd7586]

Brilliant!👏🏼

[@ForbinColossus]

@13:13 Image of that Tudor is so P01 but its look suggests the literal side of a submarine!

[@ID-Guy]

Cool right? The OG P01... I'm actually on the fence about getting one just for the hell of it ;)

[@ForbinColossus]

@@ID-Guy It's such a different shape, I have to just hold it

[@tomlucas4269]

Interesting review: branhart is new to me. thanks

[@verykeen2please]

another excellent epic

[@ID-Guy]

Thank you brother. This one really was an epic to throw together haha!

[@robertdalio8787]

Very informative video. Are there any books available on the history of dive watches?

[@ID-Guy]

Robert I'm sure there are a handful (can't think of many off the top of my head) "Assouline: The impossible collection of watches", "Vintage Rolex Sports Models: A complete visual reference" but given the opportunity I'd look at @Watchistry and the Tudor MN book that he's covered before. He promotes a lot of his work on his youtube channel

[@Wevaah]

I keep going back and forth on if I want to purchase the new Yema collaboration because I love the no date but I wish I'd be able to see it in person first.

[@ID-Guy]

If I'm lucky, there might be a Yema on it's way to me over the next few months. I'll be sure to do lots of comparisons with it and other "recognisable" case designs for you to see. And hey! September Tudor is releasing their MN collaboration model too! Very, very excited...

[@juniorjohnson5961]

Had to do it - First almost ,😊

[@Mark..P]

😂👊

[@ID-Guy]

The competition is so, so tight! Unreal! I reckon you got in third this time, Junior ;)

[@Nefville]

Watches of the French Armed Forces or "Best watches to wear when surrendering" ;) I kid I kid

[@ID-Guy]

I knew there would be at least one haha!

[@ID-Guy]

@MK II Panerai will be fascinating (I'll be sure to cover all the bases)

[@Nefville]

@@ID-Guy As always I bring you the least useful comment. Have a good weekend IDGuy.

[@chrisstevenson2622]

Don’t forget to cover the straps the French military used. Such as the French Marine Nationale.

[@jcbsplace]

Epic

[@ID-Guy]

Epic(ly) Long - Thank you, brother!

[@jcbsplace]

@@ID-Guy amazing research and so well written. Thanks for putting this one together, top work man 🥇

[@ID-Guy]

@@jcbsplace My pleasure, bro. It was a years worth of on & off preparation, but some of these outliers really did knock my socks off in the process. Love learning more about these lil machines ;)

[@ericb8888]

pièce de résistance ;) Outstanding research. EMSEC ( emission security) is increasingly problematic. Look for the new Tudor MN launch on Sep 1 onboard “ Charles de Gaulle “.

[@ID-Guy]

So exciting to know that they are bringing out an MN model at the end of the year! Of course this video was put together before the announcement... And thank you as always, monsieur! Knew you'd like some of those outliers ;)

[@ericb8888]

@@ID-Guy you can see the emergence of the “ Baby Plo - prof “ design . Your best vid to date ;)

[@ID-Guy]

@@ericb8888 Absolutely. Baby PP's are everywhere in comparison ;)

[@WatchMeEDC]

Sign me up, I’m buying the Breguet from 12:20. So interesting to see that name on the dial with Mercedes hands.

[@ID-Guy]

A design like that needs to return... Just exceptional. Crazy to think there are so many untapped designs that could re-emerge ;)

[@logansmith8623]

Dodane FTW :)

[@ID-Guy]

Dodane rears its pretty head at some point ;)

[@jameshoward9700]

A great historical essay and well integrated images. Wasn't the Marine Nationale's last active service to blow up Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior? Some very distinguished watches, a most undistinguished military. For sure, all Services have their dark history, but some are more shabby than others. 1940s-1980s: the glory days of their watches and the most inglorious of their military. Despite the state crippling spend. On watches? Odd that some of the most famous military watches are linked to abhorrent regimes or indefensible campaigns (Nazi Fleigers, Fascist Panerais, the French in North Africa, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam and then America in Vietnam...)? Or perhaps the glory days of watches just coincided with some terrible times. At least the Swiss watch companies profited.

[@ID-Guy]

You nailed it "the glory days of watches coincided with terrible times" this could make for a fantastic video actually, James. I'll throw a thought piece together. Love it though, Swiss companies were milking it back then... Maybe that's why they've had to inflate their prices so much today? Watches are no where as much in demand? Thank you for taking the time to watch the clip James!

[@jameshoward9700]

@@ID-Guy The pleasure all mine! That would be an interesting piece, for sure. Undoubtedly, sport, discovery and innovation produced many great tool watches - the Tuna, Speedmaster, Reverso, Explorer, Sea-Dweller... But dark times and big military spend also produced fantastic pieces of engineering. I think it's ok to celebrate these watches now, but I wish manufacturers would refrain from boasting about their 'glorious heritage' that was actually Nazi pilots, Fascist divers, colonial commandos etc etc. All very well for the Swiss companies who did well out of war (selling to all sides), less so for nearly everyone else around the world who fared worse. Most crass current example: IWC engraving a JU-52 on the back of their Mark VIII (a watch originally designed for the RAF), a plane used in the bombing of Guernica, or at best, as Nazi staff transport. Hardly glorious. Longines have trod this line well, with sensitivity and brilliant design (as you show).

[@jamesblonde2271]

The Blancpain dive watch timeline has been revised a little by Perez Cope

[@austinzizzi1142]

About to buy a breguet type xx

[@ID-Guy]

Not much comes close Austin. For a Breguet, excellent value for money. A real design icon with a name to match. Good luck, sir!

[@austinzizzi1142]

@@ID-Guy right now it’s in between the type xx or a blue dial jlc Polaris and it’s a very tough choice

[@joker14n]

Every watch being made today, while (maybe) having a purpose, is primarily built to make a profit. That cannot be said about these pieces. I think that’s why they seem so striking. Differing visions of purpose seems so interesting..sales be damned

[@ID-Guy]

Excellently said, Cary. Actually going to work on a thought piece around this "The glory day of watches coinciding with terrible times of history" and how differently they're viewed today. As for prices, maybe they've been ramped up so much just because they aren't in demand like they used to be? Fascinating! Thank you so much for taking the time to watch the clip!

[@RoaroftheTiger]

Terrific Stuff ! Obviously from my Username; this area of the hobby is of special interest to me. Regardless, at the risk of over playing my hand - "Please, Sir, I want more." ;-)

[@ID-Guy]

I wish I could throw more of these together more often... It's the damn research, man... And the writing to make it sound a bit coherent. But don't worry, there will be more ;) Thank you as always, sir!

[@RoaroftheTiger]

@@ID-Guy - I understand. That's why it's so appreciated. Once more ... Well Done. CHEERS !

[@SamrayGTR]

YEMA YEMA YEMA!

[@ID-Guy]

Yema's receiving lots of love in this one ;)

[@dopagony9946]

Trivia question: When was the French military last involved in anything?

[@ericb8888]

1

[@Mark..P]

You were quick Eric 😂👊

[@ID-Guy]

A machine... judging by the "22 minutes ago) timestamp you've just finished the clip haha! Those Omega SHOM's...

[@ID-Guy]

@@IDKline He'll be getting a medal in the mail ;)

[@ericb8888]

I’ve built a time machine ;)

[@mikewingert-savagelyerudite]

The popularity amuses me. I was in the 🇬🇧army for 24 years. The only people I find that wear this sort of thing or hanker after it are civvys; armchair/keyboard warriors. No one I served with had the least interest…..draw your own conclusions.

[@dsong401]

Honestly the French armed forces did not acquit themselves well in WWII against the Axis (which is why they were so quickly occupied), so no inspiring history there. Nice watches though.

[@ID-Guy]

Ah, we all drop the ball sometimes. Thank goodness for the British and their Spitfires, eh? ;)