Actual proper Special Forces watch
Discussion
This
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2...
No s
t either...
Edit to add random photobucket pic
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2...
No s
t either...Edit to add random photobucket pic
Edited by chopperR on Monday 18th October 11:57
I think it does tend to be G-shocks etc.
As much as the watch companies would like to get product placement with someone a bit macho, your average SAS guy isn't going to be out shopping for a Pro-Hunter at the weekends.
I've seen adverts that try to suggest a particular watch is used by special forces, usually US ones, but they'll often be a freebie in exchange for a photo and some cheesy line about split second timing
As much as the watch companies would like to get product placement with someone a bit macho, your average SAS guy isn't going to be out shopping for a Pro-Hunter at the weekends.
I've seen adverts that try to suggest a particular watch is used by special forces, usually US ones, but they'll often be a freebie in exchange for a photo and some cheesy line about split second timing
A good friend from school's a Royal Marine (Fleet Protection Group), not quite special forces, but not just a regular squaddie, and he has one of these which he swears by:
http://www.time4tritium.com/item.cfm?id=166
http://www.time4tritium.com/item.cfm?id=166
Without launching into an essay suffice it to say that the G-Shock and Suuntos are pretty much the ubiquitous military watch.
This doesn't exclude the odd CWC issued watch or the odd Rolex nor indeed when a squaddy is on the piss it doesn't exclude him wearing a unit purchased Omega for example. (300 Omegas were commissioned by the SAS with the winged dagger engraving on the back - obviously not intended for theatre but more as a keepsake or smart watch, similarly to some RAF Sqns and Sigs units).
For SF in particular, well, they are just a subset of the normal military and general rules apply as above. Exceptions may be divers who need something more specific than just a watch (specification-wise) and the day one talk at the start of a surveillance course specifically covers things like not wearing anything like a big divers watch.
Other countries are in a similar position, the US and France both approving G-Shocks for issue though as opposed to being just a personal choice.
Well worth reading this - http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/G10_Watches
The ARRSE definition of SF -
'special forces' - Term used by the Americans for nearly every unit in their Army, Navy and Air Force. Would be better described as Special Needs. A term now so overused and diluted in spamland that REMF's are demanding their own beret and special badge to highlight their otherness.
However, in the British Army, the term refers to THEM
Worst special Forces of all time: Egypt's TF777
in 1978 rescued 30 hostages in Cyprus from terrorists but because they forgot to tell the Cypriots they were coming, lost 15 of their own in a firefight with Cypriot National Guardsmen who thought they were more terrorists.
in 1985 blasted their way onto a hijacked 737 at Malta with explosives killing 20 passengers instantly. They then stormed the plane firing wildly and throwing hand grenades. Passengers who fled were cut down on the tarmac having been mistaken for terrorists. 57 passengers died.
ETA This repost:
(FaM - Cabot/Book - Billy Schorrs Zero Hour)
This doesn't exclude the odd CWC issued watch or the odd Rolex nor indeed when a squaddy is on the piss it doesn't exclude him wearing a unit purchased Omega for example. (300 Omegas were commissioned by the SAS with the winged dagger engraving on the back - obviously not intended for theatre but more as a keepsake or smart watch, similarly to some RAF Sqns and Sigs units).
For SF in particular, well, they are just a subset of the normal military and general rules apply as above. Exceptions may be divers who need something more specific than just a watch (specification-wise) and the day one talk at the start of a surveillance course specifically covers things like not wearing anything like a big divers watch.
Other countries are in a similar position, the US and France both approving G-Shocks for issue though as opposed to being just a personal choice.
Well worth reading this - http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/G10_Watches
The ARRSE definition of SF -
'special forces' - Term used by the Americans for nearly every unit in their Army, Navy and Air Force. Would be better described as Special Needs. A term now so overused and diluted in spamland that REMF's are demanding their own beret and special badge to highlight their otherness.
However, in the British Army, the term refers to THEM
Worst special Forces of all time: Egypt's TF777
in 1978 rescued 30 hostages in Cyprus from terrorists but because they forgot to tell the Cypriots they were coming, lost 15 of their own in a firefight with Cypriot National Guardsmen who thought they were more terrorists.
in 1985 blasted their way onto a hijacked 737 at Malta with explosives killing 20 passengers instantly. They then stormed the plane firing wildly and throwing hand grenades. Passengers who fled were cut down on the tarmac having been mistaken for terrorists. 57 passengers died.
ETA This repost:
(FaM - Cabot/Book - Billy Schorrs Zero Hour)
Edited by andy_s on Monday 18th October 21:26
andy_s said:
Worst special Forces of all time: Egypt's TF777
in 1978 rescued 30 hostages in Cyprus from terrorists but because they forgot to tell the Cypriots they were coming, lost 15 of their own in a firefight with Cypriot National Guardsmen who thought they were more terrorists.
in 1985 blasted their way onto a hijacked 737 at Malta with explosives killing 20 passengers instantly. They then stormed the plane firing wildly and throwing hand grenades. Passengers who fled were cut down on the tarmac having been mistaken for terrorists. 57 passengers died.
Tragic but hilarious.in 1978 rescued 30 hostages in Cyprus from terrorists but because they forgot to tell the Cypriots they were coming, lost 15 of their own in a firefight with Cypriot National Guardsmen who thought they were more terrorists.
in 1985 blasted their way onto a hijacked 737 at Malta with explosives killing 20 passengers instantly. They then stormed the plane firing wildly and throwing hand grenades. Passengers who fled were cut down on the tarmac having been mistaken for terrorists. 57 passengers died.
There is only two official Special forces watches.
The elite Special Boat Service (SBS) Special Edition Seamaster GMT is in essence almost identical to the regular production Omega Seamaster Pro GMT model with a few minor variances.
The inner side of the sapphire display back is emblazoned with the SBS unit logo and the soldiers 'Zap number'
Obviously these are mostly for off-duty and garrison wear and are not worn during operations or training exercises.
Sale was restricted to “badged” SBS-qualified members alone, and not even affiliated suport personnel were eligible
I believe there are no more than 500 made(and probably 500 more fakes).
Impossible to put a price on this but one was sold for auction a few years ago for £19,000 obviously the fact that only SBS operatives would own them makes them unique, I suppose given the prices achieved at auction expect more ex-service men to sell.
The SAS also had a special edition watch produced by Breitling, again prices are high. Don't expect the wearer of the watch to be in the SAS, but then he wouldn't admit to it if he was, would he.
The elite Special Boat Service (SBS) Special Edition Seamaster GMT is in essence almost identical to the regular production Omega Seamaster Pro GMT model with a few minor variances.
The inner side of the sapphire display back is emblazoned with the SBS unit logo and the soldiers 'Zap number'
Obviously these are mostly for off-duty and garrison wear and are not worn during operations or training exercises.
Sale was restricted to “badged” SBS-qualified members alone, and not even affiliated suport personnel were eligible
I believe there are no more than 500 made(and probably 500 more fakes).
Impossible to put a price on this but one was sold for auction a few years ago for £19,000 obviously the fact that only SBS operatives would own them makes them unique, I suppose given the prices achieved at auction expect more ex-service men to sell.
The SAS also had a special edition watch produced by Breitling, again prices are high. Don't expect the wearer of the watch to be in the SAS, but then he wouldn't admit to it if he was, would he.
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