Horological Meandering

Over the years, I have read countless articles about so-called, “military watches.” Some refer to watches that were issued to or produced especially for the military, while some brands use military trademarks to imply some loose affiliation or perhaps eve...  

...and thank you for your service. Kind regards, Dan

Thanks for reading!

At first, I thought shiny watches are a no-no in the military due to operational reasons. But I read somewhere that a Rolex can be used as bargaining tool when you get captured. Is that true?

Legend has it that if "operators" in Viet Nam had to E&E (Evade and Escape), they had something to barter that was globally recognized. This of course was before the proliferation of counterfeits.

A collection of not just metals, but stories of life and service.

It's a big part of my life and watches are an interesting chapter that continue beyond my service. And yes, each watch has an interesting (to me) story.

...but I am already immensely proud of this Country, precisely because of the character --- and the professional achievements --- of people like you. Please enjoy every single day of your retirement now --- and, of course, I hope you'll keep building a bi... 

You seem to have an appreciation that is missed on the younger generations. I'm proud to serve people such as yourself who indeed respect and appreciate our nation.

It's amazing to me that in the midst of whatever may have been going on while you were on tour you still, just like the rest of do while sitting at our desks or in traffic, took that same level of enjoyment from a sneaky peek at your wrist. I'm curious as... 

It provides an almost therapeutic escape from the moment.

inspire the next generation, you still haven't retired yet hehehe Cheers from a huge Military Archives nerd

As I still work for the military in a civilian capacity, I am in awe of the generations coming up. It's in good hands! As soon as I finish with my civilian position, I hope to fully retire, which means dedicating my time to watches and family.

My dad was in the special forces all his life too and the story makes me think of times past. Enjoy your heirlooms in the best of health! Alex

Respect to your Dad, his service and the family that supported him. Being a family member is the toughest job in the military. Thank you for YOUR service an sacrifice!

It is indeed so. I will always be in awe of my mother for her role in this. My respects and warm regards, Alex

I thought that the guys of the special army are only legends, but now I see they are living together with us! Your kids and family can be proud of you! May I ask you, what kind of watches are in your interest in these days? Yours, Adam

As for watches, the aforementioned Seiko has a special place in my heart, though Rolex is what moved me into watches as a tradition. Still, it wasn't until I purchased my first Hublot that I "really" started learning about watches. So Hublot is very impor... 

great career, and most certanly, great taste in watches!Now i would say, enjoy the retirement, Todd!And maybe we wil see eachother next Basel! Grtz,Dom

Let's make plans to get together at Basel!

Congratulations on your very well deserved retirement. Now is time to enjoy watches differently! 😉

Thanks for the kind words!

Just for you... Blancpain Tornek RAYVILLE, for the US NAVY SEALs in 1964 and 1966. This one is from 1964: Best, Nicolas ...  

I wrote this article over a month ago and was reluctant to post it because I didn't think people would want to read about an old ex-Green Beret and his watches. My wife actually talked me into doing it. I am shocked (and honored) at the responses such as ... 

Secondly, great story and history that you can be proud of. I love the evolution from the Casio to Seiko to Rolex to Hublot as your military career progressed as well. I love those Arnies! Finally, in the last photo do you know what kind of watch your fel... 

While I don't recall what watch he was wearing, I went back to the hi-res image though I still can't tell. If you notice the guys to the right are wearing tan uniforms, different from mine. This was a mission with the "Bone Frogs," members of SEAL Team #2...  

Now I'm even more convinced it's a Resco Patriot. The company's founder is an active SEAL team member based out of San Diego. rescoinstruments.com This is what I think is the watch in the photo. Notice the large luminous dot on the bezel and the aqua ...  

You can also see pretty clearly the huge detents around the edge of the bezel. Good catch!

one of the best story of a purist

Just a simple story, 35 years in the making ; )

many thanks for sharing it ,it was really a good read in Saturday i always thought that only black watches are allowed in the army since those shiny SS pieces may grab the attention of the enemies marksman. Thank you Btw here s a piece from french navy (...  

As for the shine, in a desert'ish environment, a brushed stainless watch is not a big deal. If I was crawling through the jungle in a ghillie suit, it might be a different story. Besides, the Chinooks and Black Hawk helicopters we came in on "probably" ru... 

Thanks for sharing the experience of your military horological journey - fantastic article! And I cannot but agree that the era of the classic military watch drew to a close some time ago.

My point wasn't so much about "my" watches per se, but to show how the role of watches in today's military is more personal than practical.

divers,pilots,captains all relied on their mechanical timepieces during dive,mission or navigation but today gps tells the time .

Semper Fi

Nurturing a desire to acquire a watch for some time makes it so much easier to get attached to it when it can finally to be enjoyed, particularly when it is then so much integrated in your life as you did it with yours. I love to read such well written st... 

People ask what my favorite watch is and I tell them it's like trying to choose between children. That said, I clearly admit that the Submariner is the last watch I would ever get rid of. There is no money, no threat nor, force of God or nature that would... 

I enjoyed reading about your journey and has definitely helped me get an inside view into how your watches become a part of you, writing history together. Not something that dramatic that is common people will go through....the toughest places my watches ... 

While I took the Daytona and Hublot, as a matter of tradition, it was ALWAYS my Submariner that accompanied me on every mission. It's hard to explain my connection with this watch. It's not for luck or superstition...anything like that. When I "leave the ... 

Best

The first watch I ever became obsessed over. I should've know then.

Thanks for reading!

Loved the story. The stories are what makes the watches even more interesting

...otherwise, what's the point?

This is definitely the best piece I have ever read about military watches, and the experience from a 35-year veteran of the Special Forces is what made this special. The Arnies are inspiring, while having wore the Sub into multiple deployments is perhaps ... 

I am truly honored by your comments!

Every time I see a service member I tell them the same. The fact is, we are here talking about watches and everything else because of you, and the other men and women around the world who commit their lives to keeping us safe. THANK YOU. As for this post,... 

And I agree that today, brands producing "military watches," are often "silly," and rarely doing anything that supports the military mission.

Congratulations on your service and happy retirement. Your pictures and story add real experience to this site. Thanks for sharing something so personal. Kindest regards,

...I failed to appreciate the WIS appeal! I am surprised and humbled by the responses!

…..and that is a nice collection.

Oh what the Casio started! Why couldn't I have been into baseball cards or stamps like the other kids?

Amazing stories, great write up, incredible pics. Thank you so much for letting us enter in your wonderful world and for sharing your life path with us, Enjoy your retirement and your watches, we'll be waiting for your next posts! Best, Max

Kind words indeed!

Thank you (and thank Mrs JToddH) for deciding to favour us with it. Presumably you are the chap on the left in photo #11(r): going double-wristed on assignment. Chapeau! Perhaps on another occasion you might walk us through the ribbons? Cheers, pplater...... 

Actually, I'm the guy on the right. Look closely and you'll see the Submariner on my wrist. Guy on the left is a Navy SEAL. I wasn't firing in this pic, I had noticed movement in the wood line below and was using my scope when I called him over with the b...  

Still: chapeau to the other guy! Cheers, pplater.

. . . as I am now. When we met a few years ago, Todd, my recollection is that you were in public relations - a talking head, so to speak. I'd no idea you'd walked the walk. My respects, sir. A couple of special forces stories I can share. One of our infre...  

Aside from the regular military, an operator (Special Operations) guy would never wear a watch that identifies him as SoF. That's just dumb. So yeah, whether it's a Seamaster, Submariner, Fifty Fathoms, Zodiac, etc. A SoF guy will display taste and apprec... 

Few months late here, but as they say better late then never. First and foremost, thank you for your service JtoddH, from one operator to the other. This article is about as real as get's looking into an operator and watches. Myself I wore a Casio during ... 

With its many chapters/ eras of the Seiko and Rolex and Hublot watches. Thank you for sharing ! Warmest regards

As you know I have lots of SEAL acquaintances in San Diego, and like you, they all have stories, but generally don’t shout them from the rooftops. Thanks for the time and energy you spent on putting this together for us. Mike

thank you for sharing telling your story - it was really interesting reading. I also think this is a candidate for post of the year. A US military watch from the past, now living its retirement in a quiet garden in Denmark. ...  

Todd, Apologies for my tardiness but I'm indisposed in faraway places. Thanks for the vignettes of each era in your service and the watches. I'm even more amazed that you have scans from 1983 and the lanky youth portrayed. 😉 I have nothing from that time.... 

... - courage, devotion, sacrifice and service. Just baseless consumption :/ You have the higher ground adv so to say

...  

Not only an article but a whole part of your life you shared with us ... I had a great time reading both your horological and military journey, very much appreciated. Thanks for sharing. Anyway, who said mechanical watches are not meant for service ?!? Wi...  

Fantastic story of a brave man ! This makes me want to buy an Arnie ...